Pure Elbe: Swimming Professor Reaches His Goal!
Researcher from Furtwangen University swims 1,083 kilometres for environmental education and science
He has made it! After swimming 1,083 kilometres down the Elbe, Professor Dr Andreas Fath today reached the river’s mouth, marking the end of his spectacular research project, "Pure Elbe." The scientist, internationally known as the “Swimming Professor,” finished his latest adventure at Kugelbake in Cuxhaven. Fath swam the entire length of the Elbe in just 25 days, starting on 16th August in the Czech Giant Mountains.
The "Pure Elbe" project aims to raise awareness of water pollution caused by microplastics. Throughout his journey, Fath and his research team ran an extensive outreach campaign. By organising interactive activities with various biosphere reserves, conservation organisations, and events in towns and cities along the Elbe, Fath highlighted his passion for clean water.
From the pristine sections near the Elbe's source in the Czech Giant Mountains to the industrialised waters of Hamburg's port, Professor Fath collected numerous water samples to analyse the river’s pollution levels. A special membrane on his wetsuit even filtered water as he swam, allowing further analysis afterward. In Hamburg, the "Pure Elbe" project was celebrated with a large event aboard the museum ship Cap San Diego, directly at the Landungsbrücken. Sponsor hansgrohe honoured the project with a formal reception and an expert panel on water-related topics, including contributions from the German Ocean Foundation and the charity Viva con Agua. The panel discussed society's use of drinking water and the necessary steps to better protect this precious resource. "We can live without gold, but not without water!" said Professor Fath. During the discussion, he presented a water sample from the Elbe, in which plastic granules were shockingly visible to the naked eye. The experts agreed that education is one of the key solutions to securing the "human right to water."
The "Pure Elbe" project was executed by Andreas Fath’s non-profit organisation, H2Org, in collaboration with the alliance for plastic-free nature. Besides Furtwangen University, companies like hansgrohe and Arburg also supported the project as sponsors. Many riverside communities, clubs, and initiatives along the Elbe also participated, hosting events to accompany the project.
The Elbe is the fourth river that the researcher and extreme athlete has swum in the name of science. In 2014, Andreas Fath swam the entire length of the Rhine, in 2017 the Tennessee River in the USA, and in 2022, he swam 2,700 kilometres along the Danube to the Black Sea. His goal is always to raise awareness of the preciousness of water as a resource.
"The Elbe wasn’t my longest river, but it was something truly special," Fath enthused. His entire journey down the Elbe can be revisited on the project’s website, www.pureelbe.org, where a map details the stations and kilometres swum.
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