Swimming in water polluted with toxic sludge, chemical runoff, and potentially deadly pathogens is not most people’s idea of how they want to spend a Saturday morning, but on October 17, clean water activist Christopher Swain did just that. Swain completed the 1.8-mile swim through one of the dirtiest waterways in the country — the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. He was followed and helped by English teacher and Upper School Community Service Director Nicole Butterfield, who kayaked behind him and served as a safety team.

The safety team was extremely important for Swain’s well-being during his swim. “Most of the time, I had to be on high alert, watching the waterway both ahead and behind for boat traffic and other hazards” said Mrs. Butterfield. Her job was very stressful. “There is one narrow, blind passage on the Gowanus, and that made me nervous because if a large boat had come toward us from the other side, we might not have been able to see it in time to get Christopher out of the way,” she said.

While Mrs. Butterfield helped Swain avoid larger obstacles, a puncture-resistant suit that covered him up to his neck, water-repellent gel on his face, earplugs, and a swim cap protected the Swain from the toxic waters of the Gowanus.

Swimming in such polluted waters posed severe threats to Swain’s health. Police officers and health officials worried about the effects on Swain’s personal health, as well as any contaminants he might bring out of the water that could affect public health, but Swain could not be dissuaded. “He advocates for clean water by putting himself out there. His direct experiences of these waterways allow him to speak much more meaningfully about them,” said Mrs. Butterfield.

A team of scientists also followed Mrs. Butterfield and Swain, taking samples of the canal water. These samples will be given to different elementary schools in the area so students can study the Gowanus Canal and the effects of pollution on the environment.

Swain swam down the Gowanus Canal to raise awareness for the lack of work that is being done “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters” as was promised in the 1972 Clean Water Act. “I dream of a day when the Gowanus Canal — and all the impaired waterways of New York City — are hailed as urban jewels,” Swain said of his reasons for swimming in the Gowanus.

That lofty goal will take years, and millions of dollars to achieve. The Environmental Protection Agency’s current project involves scooping the toxic mud from the bottom of the canal, and is projected to last at least until 2020. This project will cost a minimum of $506 million dollars.

While this is a step in the right direction, Swain wants the water to be completely clean; he said “I want this whole waterway to be safe enough for swimming”. Swain’s swim cap, on which he had written #HOPE in bold letters, shows that he refuses to give up on his dream of creating clean water in New York City.

Mrs. Butterfield first met Swain in college, when they were on the Wesleyan rowing team together. “He is way more than just an athlete. He is a committed environmental advocate, and a dynamic public speaker with a great sense of humor,” said Mrs. Butterfield.

Five years later, they worked together during Christopher Swain’s 200 mile swim down the Connecticut River for his Swim for Human Rights to raise awareness for the non-profit organization he created, The Human Rights Company.

Since then, Mrs. Butterfield and Swain have worked together closely — Mrs. Butterfield has aided him on several of his river swims, and Swain invited Mrs. Butterfield and her class to the launch of the United Nation’s International Decade for Action “Water for Life” which Swain designed.