Activist tries to swim length of Gowanus Canal

In honor of Earth Day, an environmental activist attempted to swim the length of the Gowanus Canal.  Christopher Swain is the first person to attempt to swim the entire 1.8-mile canal. Swain was cheered

News 12 Staff

Apr 23, 2015, 3:21 AM

Updated 3,290 days ago

Share:

Activist tries to swim length of Gowanus Canal
In honor of Earth Day, an environmental activist attempted to swim the length of the Gowanus Canal. 
Christopher Swain is the first person to attempt to swim the entire 1.8-mile canal. Swain was cheered on as he dropped into the stretch of toxin-filled water. Swain said the water is not safe to swim in and that's why he was trying to make the point.
The Environmental Protection Agency calls it one of the country's most contaminated bodies of water. The agency has labeled it a Superfund site that's in desperate need of a cleanup.
Swain wore protective gear but ended up stopping in front of the Whole Foods store because of concerns over approaching storms.


More from News 12
0:55
NYPD: Search for person in the water near Coney Island boardwalk unsuccessful

NYPD: Search for person in the water near Coney Island boardwalk unsuccessful

1:56
Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

1:47
Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

1:52
Hundreds don denim to stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors

Hundreds don denim to stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors

1:14
Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

1:35
New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

1:45
Dunkin' on Rockaway Parkway reopens following upgrades

Dunkin' on Rockaway Parkway reopens following upgrades

0:21
Express announces 2 Brooklyn stores to close after filing for bankruptcy

Express announces 2 Brooklyn stores to close after filing for bankruptcy

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:21
Fire officials: 5 families displaced by Bensonhurst fire, 7 firefighters injured

Fire officials: 5 families displaced by Bensonhurst fire, 7 firefighters injured

1:04
DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

0:20
MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

0:18
NYPD: 26-year-old fatally shot in the neck, torso in Crown Heights

NYPD: 26-year-old fatally shot in the neck, torso in Crown Heights

1:46
Traverse Green-Wood Cemetery in 'And Then, Now' performative walk experience

Traverse Green-Wood Cemetery in 'And Then, Now' performative walk experience

0:38
DA: Brooklyn man sentenced to life for deadly armed robbery, shooting in East Williamsburg

DA: Brooklyn man sentenced to life for deadly armed robbery, shooting in East Williamsburg

1:31
Protesters hold Seder sit-in at Grand Army Plaza

Protesters hold Seder sit-in at Grand Army Plaza

0:59
City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

1:57
State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

2:16
New bill would hold Brooklyn landlords accountable of unacceptable living conditions

New bill would hold Brooklyn landlords accountable of unacceptable living conditions