Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh swims near the Edgartown Harbor Light, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws' 50th Anniversary: Swimmer Circumnavigates Martha's Vineyard To Raise Shark Awareness
A British-South African endurance athlete became the first person to swim around the island of Martha’s Vineyard on Monday, completing a 60-mile (97-kilometer) trek over multiple days to raise awareness about the plight of sharks as the film “Jaws” nears its 50th birthday. Lewis Pugh, 55, began swimming multiple hours a day in the 47-degree (8 degrees Celsius) water on May 15. He wants to change public perceptions and encourage protections for the at-risk animals — which he said the film maligned as “villains, as cold-blooded killers.”
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh fist bumps a beach-goer before entering the water to begin his swim around Martha's Vineyard, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh prepares for his swim, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Seals watch endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh near the Cape Poge Lighthouse, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
An instrument that sends an electronic signal into the water to ward off sharks is attached to a kayak near endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, Thursday, May 15, 2025, off Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh pauses to rehydrate during the first day of his swim around Martha's Vineyard, Thursday, May 15, 2025, off Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh swims off the coast pf Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Kayaker Nicholas Burden guides endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh as a fishing boat passes by, Thursday, May 15, 2025, off Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
An app is used to monitor endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh's temperature while he swims in 47 degree F water, Thursday, May 15, 2025, off Edgartown, Massachusetts.
Jaws Anniversary Shark Swim
| Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh answers questions about his planned swim while chatting with visitors to Martha's Vineyard, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
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