When a Swimming Legend met a Water Rescue Dog with Lynne Cox | The Long Leash #62

Throughout her life, super swimmer Lynne Cox has been making waves; she has swum the Nile, around the Cape of Good Hope, and more than a mile in Antarctic waters. She was also the first person to swim the Bering Strait. This accomplishment earned her praise from both U.S. President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev.

Lynne has swum nearly 55,000 miles (that’s two trips around the world!) in dangerous, open water. So, when she saw a video of a rescue dog fearlessly leaping from a helicopter, she was mesmerized. On today’s show, Lynne shares how she recognized a kindred spirit in that daredevil dog, and how she joined the Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs.

What does it take for a chocolate Newfoundland named Al to become an expert water rescue dog? A lot of heart, a couple of dog treats, and one furry hero.

Cover art image provided by: Steven Gronfenbrenner

Episode Links

Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs (SICS): http://www.academyofwaterrescue.org/

About Lynne Cox

Lynne Cox is an American long-distance open-water swimmer, motivational speaker, and author. Over the course of more than 35 years, Lynne accomplished swims setting world records and opening borders, contributed to medical research, supported environmental causes, and inspired people to overcome great obstacles. She is best known for her swim across the Bering Strait from the United States to the Soviet Union 7 August 1987. She twice held the overall record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel from England to France and has completed over 60 challenging swims around the world, holding over 50 world records.

Lynne Cox: https://www.lynnecox.com/

Books Written by Lynne Cox

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer

Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog

Swimming in the Sink: A Memoir

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

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