Skip to main content

Meet Ben Lecomte, the Man Who’s Swimming the Pacific Ocean

ben lecomte longest swim water
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Because it is there.”

It was George Leigh Mallory’s reason for climbing Mount Everest and, for many adventurers, it seems as good a reason as any to push the limits of human endurance. Now, one man has his sights set on another human first: swimming the entire Pacific Ocean from Japan to San Francisco.

ben lecomte longest swim
Image used with permission by copyright holder

On June 5, 2018, armed with only a wetsuit, snorkel, and fins, Ben Lecomte set off from the shores of Tokyo, Japan. His journey across the Pacific Ocean will cover more than 5,500 miles (9,000 kilometers). In addition to some of the roughest seas in the world, the 51-year-old Frenchman will be exposed to sharks, stinging jellyfish, and acres of plastic pollutants. His goal is to spend eight hours a day in the water. With the help of the strong Pacific currents, he’s expecting to cover up to 30 miles every 24 hours. At that pace, he’ll burn up to 8,000 calories.

ben lecomte longest swim progress
Lecomte’s progress as of June 14, 2018. Image used with permission by copyright holder

A GPS-enabled, 67-foot support sailboat will provide food, shelter, and a place to rest, but he’ll begin each new day exactly where he left the water. If the epic journey goes as planned, Lecomte will arrive on the coast of San Francisco sometime in December — a full six months later.

Lecomte is no stranger to record-setting swims. In 1998, he drew worldwide attention for crossing the 4,000-mile width of the Atlantic Ocean in an incredible 73 days. Twenty years later, he’s determined to conquer this larger and seemingly impossible project in the name of adventure and environmental awareness. With the help of his team, he’ll be conducting numerous scientific experiments and hosting pollution-centric experiences along the way.

ben lecomte longest swim team
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some extreme adventurers look to push the boundaries of human endurance by rock climbing, BASE jumping, mountaineering, or deep-sea diving. For others, it’s about the pure, unadulterated motion of swimming. Diana Nyad made history in 2013 when she swam the full 103-mile stretch from Cuba to The Florida Keys without a protective cage. She suffered hundreds (perhaps thousands) of jellyfish stings, horrific sea conditions, paralyzing asthma attacks, and spent days vomiting due to the excess saltwater in her system. Conquering the channel took five attempts over the course of 30 years, and she vowed her latest effort would be her last. In the end, she succeeded. With perseverance and a little luck, so too will Ben Lecomte.

You can track Ben’s progress in real-time, on his website, as well as check out full-length daily updates in his logbook.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Learn to tie the clove hitch for when you need a secure, adjustable knot
The clove hitch is one of the most useful knots to have at your disposal in the outdoors
A clove hitch tied to a fixed point

The clove hitch knot is among the most useful outdoor knots you can learn. This fully adjustable bind has endless uses and can be tied either freestanding or around an object. Being fully adjustable means you won't have to completely retie the knot in your system if you want to adjust the tension of your rope.

Read more
8 healthy benefits of hiking you need to know
Start hiking and enjoy the mental and physical benefits right away
Two people hiking together

Hiking is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the U.S. However, it’s more than just a full-body workout; it’s also an excellent opportunity to spend time in nature, clear your mind, and improve your sense of well-being. In addition, hiking is a fully adjustable workout, and you can start on an easy trail and work your way up to full-blown mountain hiking no matter how long your progress takes!

It’s an activity that can be done just about anywhere. Because the prime hiking season in the national parks around the U.S. varies based on climate and affordability, you can easily adjust your hiking plans to match the seasons and see some beautiful areas throughout the country. It’s a great way to meet nature at its level and a perfect excuse to shut out the noise of the modern world.

Read more
ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 is the first real off-grid AC and it’s discounted right now
Zero Breeze Mark 2 real off-grid AC being carried

Last summer, and most of last year, really, was one of the hottest on record. This year looks to be just as hot, so you'll need a reliable way to cool down. The problem with that is that air conditioners are expensive. They're expensive to install and run, and if you're living off-grid, you can pretty much forget about AC at all — until now, anyway. ZERO BREEZE has introduced the first truly off-grid air conditioner that's ultra-portable — at only 16.5 pounds — and battery-powered. The 24-volt battery can last up to eight hours in sleep mode, perfect for extended off-grid use or van-living. You can even connect solar panels or plug it into DC or AC outlets to boost battery life, if and when available. The handheld and lightweight design works exceptionally well for easy transportation and travel, so you can bring the Mark 2 wherever your adventures take you. Use code SPRING15 at checkout through ZERO BREEZE for a limited time to get 15% off your purchase — good from March 15 to March 21.
Buy Now
 
What can the ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 do for you?

Summer can be hot and clammy, and it can even get miserably wet if you live in a humid climate.  One of the trade-offs of staying off-grid is that you're living more efficiently, which also means you're interested in cutting down on power usage and comparable utilities. Even if that's not your goal, and you're just out for an adventure, you'll have to make the same concessions. The wilderness is, well, the wilderness. But with the Mark 2, a portable, battery-powered AC unit, you can cool off anytime, anywhere.

Read more