Man Aims To Swim From Block Island To Jamestown

NEW SHOREHAM, RI — A local man aims to be the first person to swim 19 miles non-stop from Block Island to Jamestown, and he's doing it to raise funds and awareness for Clean Ocean Access, a non-profit environmental advocacy group based in Middletown.

Ben Tuff plans the swim on on July 31. He's trained every day for the past year to meet the challenges of Block Island Sound and Narragansett Bay.

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The Australian technology company Ocean Guardian is outfitting Tuff with "the world's only proven shark deterrent," an electrical device he will be wearing for the entire swim. “It’s nice to have the peace of mind that you are doing something to deter sharks because once you’re out there, you are part of the food chain,” the swimmer said in a news release.

Tuff said as a swimmer, he has seen first-hand the beauty and fragility of the ocean that he loves.

“We can’t sit back and think our oceans will heal on their own," he remarked. " Clean Ocean Access works day in and day out to eliminate marine debris, improve water quality and protect and preserve shoreline access. Their work must advance, so I’m helping to make that happen.”

Tuff, who works as an admissions director at a private school, is a former triathlete who grew up in Jamestown. In August 2019, Ben took action to help Clean Ocean Access and swam 23 miles
nonstop, without a wetsuit, around Conanicut Island, raising over $54,000.

Founded in 2006, Clean Ocean Access works for a clean, healthy ocean that is accessible to all.