An hour and fifteen minutes after his scheduled plunge time, 47-year-old Christopher Swain is finally swimming in the Gowanus Canal. [UPDATES BELOW: Swain got out after 2/3rds of a mile because of concerns about the impending weather.]
According to our reporter on the ground, Swain's plan to swim the entire route as a "call for an accelerated cleanup of the Canal" was questioned by the NYPD.
Update: Gowanus swimmer can get into the canal, but not sure where the city is "comfortable" with him...getting out.
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
Cops are trying to convince Swain to just get in and quit at whole foods, where the city has already ok'd his exit. pic.twitter.com/cL43aAkpj5
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
But after hearing Swain out, the police relented, because they, like the 50 assembled members of the media, want to watch a dude swim in the Gowanus Canal.
"...and a mighty wind came and swept all of Brooklyn's media into the inky depths." #gowanusswim pic.twitter.com/tjdBefBMam
— UneducatedBrand (@DaveCoIon) April 22, 2015
"Just get in and start swimming" - cop to Chris Swain, seriously.
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
#gowanusswimmer takin it off. "How does it feel?" "Like I'd better hurry the hell up." pic.twitter.com/79U7gxwRgI
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
There are PCBs, pesticides, jagged metal and AT LEAST four shipwrecks in there http://t.co/2vzFjkHtnz
— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) April 22, 2015
Swain is making a stop at the Gowanus Whole Foods (where he will also lather up in disinfectant) and will end his journey at the Bayside Oil depot (more bleach water).
Chris Swain is exasperated."This is so overblown." Asks reporters not to make him look like a nutcase. #gowanus pic.twitter.com/ezciH1yNgk
— Zoë Schlanger (@zoeschlanger) April 22, 2015
Too late!
Stay tuned—we'll keep you updated so you don't have to sign up for Twitter.
[UPDATE] IT'S HAPPENING
Reporter ALL about to fall in trying to get the shot. pic.twitter.com/Mfg96y9Brk
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
And he's in. First dude to ever swim the Gowanus on purpose. (If he makes it.) pic.twitter.com/VXTns8aJKa
— Zoë Schlanger (@zoeschlanger) April 22, 2015
Swain shouts "I'm still alive!" as he doggy-paddles down the Canal. Swain plans on eating charcoal at the end of his swim.
Passerby: what's going on? Oh. I hope he doesn't get cancer. He looks ok so far: pic.twitter.com/lj73EC28fV
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
Swain's now getting out at the Whole Foods Gowanus.
Here he comes! A shoreline of rocks is his red carpet. pic.twitter.com/Tou669wK1a
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
[UPDATE // 2:39 PM] Swain has stopped swimming at Whole Foods Gowanus. Our reporter says he came to shore after 2/3rds of a mile because with a potential severe thunderstorm on the horizon, he didn't want to put his crew in a dangerous position.
"I want to make it clear, no one is telling me to stop," he told reporters, adding that he didn't swallow any water. "I think I'm OK. It's not safe to swim in there."
"It's been suggested I should stop for today." Cool same time next week everyone? #gowanusswim
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
"No one ever did swim the entire length of the canal, but no one ever swam this far, either." #gowanusswim
— Lauren Evans (@LaurenFaceEvans) April 22, 2015
"No one is telling me to stop-- they are suggesting." Apparently the City will help him finish on a clearer day. pic.twitter.com/0VLagomC0c
— Zoë Schlanger (@zoeschlanger) April 22, 2015
"I feel like I went to the gym, ran upstairs to the cardio area and someone pulled the fire alarm," a disappointed Swain told reporters. "I promise someday I am going to swim the entire Gowanus Canal."
