Ben Hooper
Travel, Exploration and Adventure
Ben Hooper is a British ocean adventurer, mental health advocate and former police officer whose record-setting swim across the Atlantic has earned him international acclaim. He is the only person to hold a verified attempt, recognised by the World Open Water Swimming Association, to swim every mile of the Atlantic Ocean – a feat Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE once described as “the last great bastion to be conquered.”
Founder of the Swim the Big Blue expedition, Ben’s journey from Senegal to Brazil was ultimately halted mid-Atlantic by severe weather damage to his support vessel, following a near-death encounter with Portuguese Man O’War tentacles. Despite this, his endurance, ambition and resilience continue to inspire audiences around the world.
Ben now writes for The European on travel, endurance and adventure, drawing on personal experience to explore the mindset behind extreme exploration.
Diving into… Northern Italy
Ben Hooper explores Northern Italy’s best lakes for open-water swimming, combining cold-water adventures with mountain scenery, food and travel.
Diving in to … save Britain’s baby lobsters
Ben Hooper joins a pioneering lobster release course in Cornwall, helping give juvenile lobsters a better chance of survival.
Europe’s wild-swimming boom is outpacing water safety
Ben Hooper says Europe’s wild-swimming boom demands stronger water safety education, safer access and coordinated drowning prevention efforts.
I drowned as a child – every parent should watch this water safety documentary
Ed Accura’s No Lifeguard documentary examines drowning prevention, water safety and why judgement matters before entering water.
Schoolchildren put to the test in pioneering open-water swimming club
Taunton Prep pupils are building confidence and resilience through Channel relays, cold-water swims and open-water endurance training.
Diving into… the history of swimming
Swimming history shows humanity’s evolving bond with water, from survival skill to modern sport and culture.
Diving into… Fuerteventura
Explore Fuerteventura’s stunning Atlantic lagoons, beaches, and volcanic coastline, with top swim spots, attractions, and dining tips.
Diving into… Key West, Florida
Key West open-water swimming offers warm waters, coral reefs, and a relaxed island vibe perfect for adventurers and swimmers alike.
AI can’t swim — but it might save those who do
AI can’t swim, but wearable tech, drones, and data-driven tools are helping protect swimmers and enhance open-water safety.
Diving into… Haute-Savoie, France
Ben Hooper explores Haute-Savoie, France — alpine lakes, mountain backdrops, rich culture, and unforgettable open-water swim adventures.
Diving into…The West Country
Ben Hooper’s West Country wild swimming guide covers lakes, rivers, tidal pools, plus top local places to eat and stay.
Diving in to… The Isle of Wight
Exploring the Isle of Wight’s wild swim spots, Ben Hooper dives into coastal beauty, history, and bracing waters.
The hidden cost of wild swimming: how our cold water craze is harming the planet
Wild swimming’s popularity is soaring—but its carbon footprint, water pollution, and gear waste reveal a hidden environmental cost.
The cold truth: why wild swimming is riskier than you think
Cold water kills — wild swimming’s popularity masks the real physiological dangers, warns environmental physiologist Professor Mike Tipton.
Will the Great Icelandic Swim break Ross Edgley?
Ross Edgley faces extreme cold and physical strain attempting a 1,000-mile solo swim around icy Iceland’s coast.
Exclusive: Breaking boundaries at the top of the world
Ten students with additional needs journey to the Arctic — proving adventure belongs to everyone.
