On World Ocean Day this past June, Grenier accepted a challenge from Sir Richard Branson to swim the 3.3 kilometer Strait of Messina between Italy and Sicily. Along with Ocean Unite, Lonely Whale launched the #makeasplash campaign which drew in over 120 organizations and countless individuals.
The lead up to the swim and the swim itself presented a unique opportunity for both Grenier and Branson to leverage their global presence to educate on ocean health. Joining them in the water was Princess Beatrice of the British royal family.
The Strait of Messina has currents and whirlpools that can be seen from space and with less than four months to prepare, Grenier turned to surfer Greg Long and endurance waterman and ocean advocate, Bruckner Chase for training advice.
The #makeasplash campaign drew a huge following and it notched 338 million social media impressions worldwide. It didn’t hurt that part of the social media fun included Richard Branson posing in a merman tail and Adrian Grenier doing a naked cannonball.
A strong believer in metaphors, Grenier looked at the challenge as a way to create a stronger relationship with the ocean. Training and preparing for it became a metaphor for working together to become one with the ocean.
“Adrian really does love metaphors,” says Ives. “On the day of the swim he found a birthday balloon on the beach and decided to swim the entire 3.3 kilometers with it tied around his neck. He figured that if a turtle has to swim with a plastic six-pack ring around his shell and a whale has to swim with plastic bags in its belly, then he should have to swim with the balloon.”
Metaphors have never seemed more beautiful. Bravo Mr. Grenier. Bravo.
December 2016 Stories from the Sea
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