Six miles longer than the English Channel swim, the 28.5 mile swimming race around Manhattan Island is the physical equivalent of running three consecutive road marathons. If the athletic challenge is not enough, the swimmers have to dodge ocean liners, youths throwing rocks, used hypodermic syringes and other UFOs: Unidentified Floating Objects. In August 1994, nine swimmers took up this challenge. They had to complete the course in just ten hours or be disqualified. Wearing no more protection than a thin layer of grease, they raced up New York's East River, along the Harlem River and down the Hudson. Only seven finished. Its like climbing Mt. Everest; they do it "because its there". No cash prizes are given, just the accolade of completing the toughest swimming race in the world. The Big Swim is leavened with stories about the rivers and their notorious pollution. From restaurant chefs to sports fishermen we hear of the improvements to the rivers' water quality. And from New York ... Written by Martin Belderson
You May Also Like
The 2023 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, country musicandapos;s only fan-voted awards show
A filmmaker who grew up alongside Chucky the killer doll seeks out the other families surrounding the Child's Play films as they recount their experiences working on the ongoing franchise and what it means to be a part of the, "Chucky" family.
When the host of a failing children’s science show tries to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut by building a rocket ship in his garage, a series of bizarre events occur that cause him to question his own reality.
After a decade apart, Maggie tracks down her elusive father. His fixation with UFOs has intensified over the years, which frustrates her attempts to communicate some big news.
Disc jockey Michelle Hall attracts the amorous attention of an unknown, demented fan. Meanwhile, back at home, her nosy neighbor seems to watch and know every move she makes.
A father hires a live-in nurse to help care for his sick daughter, however, as she suffers a series of setbacks, he starts to wonder if the nurse might actually be the one keeping her sick.