heat before an event). This phenomenon had not been noted in any other human. Noakes argues it is a Pavlovian Response to years of cold water swimming, while Pugh believes it is a response to fear. World Winter Swimming Championships In 2006 Pugh challenged Russia's top cold water swimmers to a 500-metre race at the World Winter Swimming Championships in Finland. He easily won the gold medal, beating Russian Champion Alexander Brylin by over 100 metres and the bronze medalist Nefatov Vladimir by 125 metres. "Holy Grail" of swimming In 2006 Pugh achieved the "Holy Grail" of swimming by becoming the first person to complete a long-distance swim in all five oceans of the world. His five swims were : Atlantic Ocean – across the English Channel in 1992 Arctic Ocean – around the most northern point of the Island of Spitsbergen in 2005 Southern Ocean – across Whaler's Bay in Deception Island in 2005 Indian Ocean – across Nelson Mandela Bay in 2006 Pacific Ocean – from Manly Beach through the Sydney Heads to the Sydney Opera House in 2006 Environmental swims River Thames In 2006, he became the first person to swim the entire length of the River Thames. He undertook the swim to draw attention to the severe drought in England and the dangers of global warming. The swim took him 21 days to complete. The upper stretch of the river had stopped flowing due to the drought, forcing Pugh to run the first of the river. While swimming through London, Pugh exited the water and made a visit to Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street to call on the United Kingdom to move towards a low carbon economy. Shortly afterwards the Prime Minister introduced the Climate Change Bill to Parliament. Maldives In February 2007 Pugh became the first person to swim across the width of the Maldives. He undertook the swim to raise awareness about the effect of climate change on low-lying islands in the world. The swim took 10 days to complete. North Pole In July 2007 Pugh undertook the first long-distance swim across the Geographic North Pole. The swim, across an open patch of sea, in minus 1.7 °C (29 °F) water, took 18 minutes and 50 seconds to complete. Jørgen Amundsen, the great-grandnephew of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, paced Pugh by skiing alongside him during the swim. The swim coincided with the lowest