“This wasn’t some kind of stunt. This was a symbolic swim, and I needed to be courageous. […] Swimming in a wetsuit or drysuit just wouldn’t send the right signal.”

“I'm right there, swimming the river of hardships but I know how to swim…”

Jack Kerouac book Desolation Angels

“When Grandmamma fell off the boat,
And couldn’t swim, and wouldn’t float,
Maria just sat by and smiled -
I almost could have slapped the child!”

Harry Graham (1874–1936) British writer

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”

William Faulkner (1897–1962) American writer

“Practice is necessary. You can't learn to swim just by reading a book about swimming. Otherwise, you will continue to look for teachers at each stop.”

Mwanandeke Kindembo (1996) Congolese author

“Some fish love to swim upstream. Some people love to overcome challenges.”

Amit Ray (1960) Indian author

“He doesn't believe that public swimming-pools and a kind word in time will right the wrongs of the world; moreover, he takes a drink whenever he feels like it.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American novelist and screenwriter

“I look for swims where I can carry a powerful message. No message, no swim. I don’t get wet now unless it’s for a reason.”

Lewis Pugh (1969) Environmental campaigner, maritime lawyer and endurance swimmer

“Don't swim up stream, baby. The future was right where you were.”

Ze Frank (1972) American online performance artist

“I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins
Like dolphins can swim Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes just for one day.”

Brian Eno (1948) English musician, composer, record producer and visual artist