Information and Project
Ideas for Schools:
Key Stages 1 and 2
One Man
One Dream
One Swim
Africa to Brazil
2000 miles
www.swimthebigblue.com
Swim the Big Blue
Executive Summary
Ben Hooper is going to be the World’s first human to swim the full distance across
the Atlantic Ocean; every single mile.
The swim will start in November 2015 and cover 2000 miles from Senegal, Africa to
Natal, Brazil, swimming up to 12 hours every day for up to three months.
The expedition can be watched live and interactive via Facebook and our Website.
Key objectives are to:
Raise awareness of environmental and ocean issues
Provide inspiration and create a grass roots sports foundation.
Create an opportunity for world class research into Psychology of Performance;
Endurance Nutrition and Health; Expedition Medicine; Marine Biology and
Oceanography, and our Environment.
Raise money for, and profiles of, Ben’s four charities.
Create a unique body of contemporary artwork documenting the expedition.
About this document:
This document provides a set of ideas that schools could use to develop topic-based
teaching and learning materials, based on the inspiring journey that Ben is
undertaking.
These ideas relate to subject areas including English, Science, Geography, History,
DT, PE, Computing, Art and Music but are not prescriptive and could be developed
for any year group.
Get involved:
This is an opportunity for your school to get involved with Ben’s incredible
expedition, by creating and organizing a fundraising event of your choice; 50% of
profits being donated to the Swim the Big Blue expedition and charities, and 50% of
profits being donated to your school.
Swim the Big Blue encourages and inspires children to achieve all that they can;
‘Nothing is Impossible’
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Swim the Big Blue
Contents
Page 1:
Executive Summary
Page 2:
Contents
Page 3:
The Swim
Page 4:
The Swim (continued)
Page 5:
About Ben Hooper
Page 6:
Training
Page 7:
Charities: Plastic Oceans Foundation
Page 8:
SOS Children’s Villages
Page 9:
Maggie’s
Page 10:
Addaction
Page 11:
Project Ideas: English
Page 12:
English (continued)
Page 13:
Science
Page 14:
Geography and History
Page 15:
DT and PE
Page 16:
Computing, Art and Music
Page 17:
Contact details and a personal note from Ben
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Swim the Big Blue
The Swim
Departing: November 2015 from Senegal, Africa.
Arriving: January 2016 in Natal, North-East Brazil.
‘Swim The Big Blue’ will chart a course from Senegal, Africa to Natal, NorthEast Brazil across the open Mid-South Atlantic Ocean. Using freestyle
swimming (front crawl) Ben will swim up to a total of 12 hours per day. His
epic swim will take him over 30-foot surges, passing through shark-inhabited
regions, and without doubt, he will encounter jellyfish, flying fish and a harsh
Equatorial sun. Then, there will be ‘The Doldrums’ and her stillness, humidity,
lack of movement…yet at any time the dead calm could explode into raging
storms, heavy squalls and lightning to sting the sea.
Swimming in sea temperatures ranging from 20 – 30 degrees centigrade, (68 – 86
Fahrenheit), with currents from 1 – 7 knots flowing westward and north-west; this
will be a grueling trial of endurance and mental strength unlike any before. When
successful, Ben will be the first man in history to have swum an ocean in full, and will
be the first man to explicitly and transparently detail his swim - swimming the exact
mileage of the intended crossing.
He will compete against the elements, himself, varying temperatures, sea
conditions and rough seas. He will have appropriate swim clothing available to
ensure swimming and safety can be maintained; should a smack of jellyfish be
encountered a ‘stinger suit’ may be worn to counter or minimize the effect of stings.
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Swim the Big Blue
Additionally, Ben will be wearing or surrounded by at least one ‘Shark
Shield’ device, and the boat will be equipped with a counter-shark device and sharksafe chemical repellents.
The swim, on a daily basis, will be broken down into a maximum of two 6-hour
periods. Between the two 6-hour sessions, there will be two hours of rest on the
support boat. During this rest period (and overnight up to 10 hours), Ben will be
aboard the boat where he will sleep and consume a high carbohydrate, fat and
protein diet as well as rehydrating. He may burn up to 12,000 calories per day.
The boat and crew will note the GPS position of each swim entry and exit, and will
account for drift in order to add any vacant distances back into the swim or to the
end of the swim. This will be done by altering course to a point further than the
intended port of arrival, thereby ensuring the whole distance of the originally
intended route is completed. As a further measure use of a sea anchor will reduce
the drift, ensuring that the total mileage spent out of the water is minimized,
recorded and still swum before the end of the expedition:
A total of up to 2000 miles in approximately 90 days; 128,720 lengths of a 25m
swimming pool; 3.21 million metres of open-ocean using around a total of 2.1
million strokes depending on fatigue, weather and sharks - the target is up to an
English Channel swim distance per day.
Every detail will be logged, and with filming and video diary
(by Ridgeline and SmackDab) will give full and transparent accounts of the
expedition and its support team.
During each swim leg Ben will feed and drink approximately every sixty-minutes
whilst in the water. Always without touching the boat or any other supporting
device, the crew will pass supplies to Ben by throwing or by pole depending on
conditions. Unless there is an emergency or safety risk, Ben shall not have any other
form of physical contact with the boat (other than being passed food/drink) during
the two 6-hour periods of swimming.
This is it, Ben and The Atlantic Ocean.
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Swim the Big Blue
About Ben Hooper
Ben was born in London, United Kingdom, and as a child moved within the UK and
EU with his family and the British Army. As an adult Ben has served with the
military, police and worked within mental health and Psychology. In his spare time
he writes fiction and is a 2* AIDA free diver and Open Water PADI scuba diver. His
love of open water and swimming is second only to being a father.
Ben started swimming when he was just five-years old. During his teen years he
competed in long distance swims for charity and recreationally trained in the pool,
with running and golf being his other passions. Yet as adulthood dawned he moved
to training for distance swimming, middle distance running and eventually, a period
of triathlon competition. Later, whilst living in Fuerteventura, he turned his focus to
spending more time in the swimming pool and sea for free-diving, scuba and long
distance swimming.
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Swim the Big Blue
Training
Training Sessions are structured and intense. Training with his swim coach ensures
that his technique is developed and worked on with pinpoint accuracy and
developmental feedback. The mileage in the first five-months of training ranges
from 4-7 miles of swimming per day along with cardiovascular and core workouts at
the gym, yoga and a balanced diet. Distances in late 2014 will have increased to
20km per day. This is pure endurance, technique and discipline building without
which his Atlantic Ocean swim would remain just a dream.
2014 will see us move out into open water, the roaring seas of Europe and the
Atlantic Ocean herself, where distances and technique will be further enhanced up
to a total target mileage of 2.8 million metres of swimming in this year alone
(approx. 115,000 lengths of a 25m swimming pool).
Ben will be conducting a large part, if not all of his open water training in the
Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, incorporating Callum Hughes endurance swim
training programme and Dan Fivey's PT programme. The emphasis throughout is on
both physical and mental conditioning to the seas, and of course, the feat of
endurance ahead.
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Swim the Big Blue
Charities
Swim the Big Blue are raising money for and supporting four charities as
part of this amazing expedition.
Plastic Oceans
www.plasticoceans.net
Dedicated to raising awareness of issues stemming from marine plastic, Plastic
Oceans Foundation emphasises the interactions between humans and the ocean.
By 2020 they aim to transform how consumers, governments and businesses view,
use and dispose of plastics. Plastic Oceans Foundation (POF) is developing a
portfolio of film and media, exhibitions, performances and experiences to raise
awareness, educate, and engage audiences across the globe.
Ben is delighted to have been made a Patron of Plastic Oceans Foundation and will
champion their cause and shared ideals as he embarks on his epic swim.
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Swim the Big Blue
SOS Children's Villages
www.soschildren.org
SOS Children is a global charity which provides orphans and vulnerable children
with a stable and positive family life. The charity protects and improves the lives of
children in 125 countries, working with communities to keep fragmenting families
together, and where this is not possible, building new families for children at
risk. Working together with local people and organisations, SOS Children identifies
needs and provides practical and emotional tools for parents and guardians to
prevent family breakdown and child abandonment. With a focus on long-term
sustainability, the charity empowers caregivers to reach their potential, move
towards financial independence and break the cycle of poverty.
When children lose their families and have nothing and no one, the charity ensures
that they can grow up in a safe environment by creating new families. Headed by
SOS mothers, families live together in unique SOS Children’s Villages, which are
located in the heart of communities. Children are able to enjoy their childhood and
learn skills so that they can develop into active, responsible adults. The charity
establishes schools and medical centres to ensure that more children have the
opportunity of an education and access to quality medical care. Every year, SOS
Children’s programmes reach over two million people.
As a global authority on alternative care, SOS Children works in partnership with the
United Nations, advocating for the rights of all children and contributing towards
the development of key child protection policies.
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Swim the Big Blue
Maggie’s
www.maggiescentres.org
“This is where I finally opened up about what cancer was doing to me, it is the
place where I talked, laughed, cried and drank endless cups of tea with others who
felt the same. The place where I realized I wasn’t alone.”
Maggie’s cancer centre is a place to turn for help with any of the issues, small or
large, associated with cancer. Under one roof you can access help with cancer
information, benefits advice, and psychological support, both individually and in a
group, courses such as Yoga and Creative Writing as well as stress reducing
strategies. You don’t have to make an appointment or be referred, you just drop in.
Everything we offer is free of charge.
It is there for anybody who feels they need help, which includes those who love and
look after someone with cancer, who often feel as frightened and vulnerable as
those who actually have the disease. Due to advances in medical care, the number
of people living with, and beyond, cancer is increasing, so the support available to
them becomes ever more important.
Like all Maggie’s Centres Cheltenham Centre is just minutes away from the
oncology unit at Cheltenham General Hospital. The centre serves the three
counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire where 35,000 people
are living with cancer.
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Swim the Big Blue
Addaction
www.addaction.org.uk
“I turned to Addaction when I reached an all-time low and wanted to turn my life
around. Having someone to talk to and getting acceptance, and being welcomed with
open arms, really changed everything for me.”
Addaction is the UK's leading drug and alcohol charity. Every year, they help over
40,000 people in England and Scotland to recover from their problems, rebuild
relationships and go on to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Having been at the forefront of treatment in the UK for over 45 years, Addaction
understands how difficult it can be to recover from a drug or alcohol problem.
Recovery is about more than tackling the addiction itself and each person's path is
different.
Addaction are proud to say that the support they provide is the best available, and is
completely free to use. Their aim is simple – they will not rest until every person
with a drug or alcohol problem has access to the support that enables them to
change their lives and unlock their full potential.
WWW.ADDACTION.ORG.UK
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Swim the Big Blue
Project Ideas – Key Stage 1 & 2
Swim the Big Blue has created a list of ideas for projects and lessons for Key
Stages 1 and 2, which can be used as you follow Ben Hooper on his epic swim across
the Atlantic.
All ideas may cover more than one curriculum area:
English

How do you think you would feel swimming for 12 hours a day? What would
you think about in that time? How do you think it would affect you at the
end of the expedition? What could you mentally do to make this easier for
yourself? What would inspire you to keep swimming when you feel like
giving up? How do you think you might change after the expedition?
o Write a diary starting a couple of days before setting off.
o Write a postcard.
o Create a power-point presentation of images you may have taken on the
journey.
o Write some poems/songs linked to the journey.
(Music)
o Write a press release for an event. (e.g. ‘Close encounter with a shark’ or
‘arriving in Natal’.)
o Write a letter from a friend/relative of Ben.

Support Boat:
o What roles/jobs do you need?
o List what you would take on the boat.
o What luxury item would you take, and persuade the class that yours is
the best.
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Swim the Big Blue
o Write a risk assessment and how to minimise risks.
o Calculate supplies needed (e.g. Cost, volume etc.)
(Maths)

Order a list of jobs for the day:
o Plot course.
o Weather forecast.
o Risk assessment.
o Medical checks.
o Swim equipment.
o Meals.
o Begin timer/GPS

Research Ben’s Charities:
 www.soschildren.org
 www.maggiescentres.org
 www.addaction.org.uk
 www.plasticoceans.net
Which charity would you support if you were trying to raise money?

Plan a charity event to support Ben
o Create a spread-sheet for costs and money raised. Investigate
costs to set up an event.
o Pitch your ideas to the PTA/Head teacher for set-up costs.
o Children timetable spaces needed for all classes to access area for
the event.
o Research popular ways of raising money.
o Create a questionnaire for potential supporters to ensure
participation.
o Invite charity organisers in to discuss what they do and how they
do it.
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Swim the Big Blue
Science

Ocean Pollution – effects of pollution on the sea and sea-life.
What does pollution mean, where does the pollution come from and what
can we do about it?
Look at the work of www.plasticoceans.net

Ocean food chain: Identify different creatures and plants and how they are
placed within the ocean food chain. How can you classify different groups of
living things? Look at the effects of climate change and pollution on the
plants and animals within the food chain. How might this affect us?

Find out about marine life in the Atlantic where the expedition is to take
place. Find your favourite and do a presentation all about the creature and
why it is your favourite.

How do the plants and animals, in the area of the Atlantic where the
expedition takes place, differ from the sea plants and animals of the UK? If
possible visit an aquarium to find examples.

Look at websites to find out about fishing in the Atlantic and how this is
effecting the environment.

‘Amazing sharks’: Look at their physiology, behaviour, feeding approaches
etc. Understand what beautiful creatures they really are.

Look at wetsuit designs. What protection will Ben need for the expedition?
What functions will the wetsuit need to do?
Think about temperature, protection from jellyfish, and ease of movement.
What materials would be best for the task? Test materials’ suitability.
Design a wetsuit for Ben.
(Design Technology)
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Swim the Big Blue
Geography

Look at the seasonal and daily weather patterns of the Atlantic. How do
they change throughout the year? What sort of weather may you come to
expect there and how does it differ from UK weather patterns? How does
the day length vary in each location?
(Science)

Look at Senegal and Brazil:
What are the countries and their people like? Look at the cultures, beliefs
and lifestyles found in those countries.

Plot on a map the route Ben will take on his expedition. Locate other the
continents and oceans.

Give the daily co-ordinates to the children for Ben and get them to plot the
route on a map.

Make a map of where you live or of your school.

Contrast the geographical similarities and differences between a small area
of the UK and a small area of either Senegal or Brazil.
History

Find out about other expeditions/explorers, e.g.;
o Ranulph Fiennes
o Scott of the Antarctic
o David Hempleman-Adams
o Christopher Columbus
o Kay Cottee
o Ann Bancroft
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Swim the Big Blue
Design Technology:

Look at boat designs. What are the advantages and disadvantages of sail
and motorboats for this journey? What do you think you would need for this
journey?
Design and make a sail boat considering streamlining, sail shapes, and
materials and their properties that would be best suited for the task.
o Find fair ways to test the boats for their speed and load bearing
capabilities.
(Science)

How will correct nutrition help Ben with his challenge? How will Ben’s
nutritional needs be different from yours during his challenge? What do you
consider a healthy diet?
(Science)

How will Ben feed whilst swimming? Consider the rules and limitations with
this. Can you design a diet and a device to get nutrition to Ben whilst he
swims? What considerations are there? What materials will be used and
what mechanisms could be included? Test your device to see if it works.
(Science)

Look at the local dishes and produce that can be found in Senegal or Brazil.
Have a go at cooking a local dish.
PE

Swimming: Lessons and range of strokes.
All aspects of water safety, safe self-rescue and what to do in different
water-based situations.

How do you keep fit? What amazing sporting challenge would you like to
take part in? Research unusual or interesting sports – get involved!
(Science)

Complete your own sporting challenge:
o Swimming
o Running
o Skipping
o Ball throwing
o Cycling
o Hula-hoop
o An idea of your own
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Swim the Big Blue
Computing

The expedition will be tracked by satellite and live-streamed around the
world. Follow Ben as he is live-streamed. Can you set up and use a basic
tracking device? Can you plot a course around your school using a tracking
device? Can you use technology to find your location or direct you around a
given area? Can you film and make a presentation of some great sporting
activity going on within your school?
(Science, Design Technology, Geography)
Art

There will be an artist on-board the boat capturing the amazing journey.
How do you think you would like to capture the journey? Would you study
the sea, weather, colours and patterns found in the sea? Would you capture
the people and the adventure, looking at portraits and capturing people in
‘action’? Would you capture the physical nature of the swim? Would you
capture the internal, emotional landscape of the endurance swim? How
could you do this? How could you capture emotion in paint, drawing,
printing and sculpture?

Look at the work of other expedition artists.

Look, discuss, recreate and be inspired by the great artwork to be found by
Senegalese and Brazilian artists.
Music

Research, listen to and create traditional Senegalese or Brazilian music.

Listen to music inspired by the sea. Create your own music expressing the
journey and struggles Ben will encounter whilst swimming the Atlantic.

Ben often listens to music when he swims. Which music would you listen to
whilst swimming and why?
Swim the Big Blue’s ‘Ocean Risks’ page includes shark blog and marinelife facts. It can be found at www.swimthebigblue.com. An on-line
‘Education’ page will become live during October 2014 with a variety of
contents including an Environmental blog from Marine Biologist
Hannah Medd.
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Swim the Big Blue
A personal note from Ben
Thank you for taking an interest in our work and ideals at Swim
the Big Blue. I hope your school and children will join us in
being part of this epic expedition. I hope they will be inspired
and excited about all aspects of this project, and enthusiastic
about helping raise money for our charities.
Through leading by example, we can show the world and our
children that nothing is impossible:
‘Dream, live and achieve’
www.swimthebigblue.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
07445 550510
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