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Man vs Ocean: One Man's Journey to Swim the Seven Seas
In 2007, Adam, then a toaster salesman, watched a film about a man attempting to change his life by swimming the English Channel, and was inspired to try to emulate the feat. After a year of rigorous training without a coach, he achieved his goal in 11 hours 35 minutes, despite a ruptured bicep tendon leading to medical advice to give up long-distance swimming. In 2011, after two operations, he became the first Briton to achieve a two-way crossing from Spain to Morocco and back. In the process, he broke the British record one way. Shortly afterwards, the Ocean’s Seven challenge was born, a grueling equivalent to the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge. At first it seemed that injury would prevent Adam from participating but, ignoring medical advice, he developed an innovative technique—the Ocean Walker stroke—that would enable him to continue with the ultimate aim of completing this seemingly impossible feat. Always intriguing, sometimes terrifying, and occasionally very funny, Adam’s story is about sport in its truest form: rather than competitions between teams and individuals, it is about man against nature—and against his own failings and demons. In that, it is truly inspirational.
- GenresNonfictionSports
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
13 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2016
As an all year round sea swimmer - I totally got into this book. I really enjoyed it and had encouraged me to set bigger challenges for myself
December 4, 2020
It’s nice to be taken on tour of the Ocean's Seven challenge, but man, what a tour guide. I have never met Adam and could be totally misjudging him, but it seemed like the theme of the book was, "Ocean swimming is REALLY hard (dangerous/challenging/ mentally insurmountable) and I am amazing . Every time I go in there it is against all odds. And I overcome them all."
To be very, very clear - what Adam did IS amazing. Perhaps I am just accustomed to a humbler breed of marathon swimmer. I did think that he also dissed supporters with too much frequency. I imagine him saying, "Oh, and other people are constant negative influences. But I magnanimously forgive them all."
I have never looked at it as my crew's job to manage my mindset - that's on me. But I have not yet gone as far, so maybe I'll have a different perspective when I do. Some of this may also just be that you can't expect someone to be an amazing humorist writer the first time out the gate. I can see that he may have been trying to be funny about, for instance, the boat captain who talked incessantly and in detail about sharks on the way to the swim start - it just didn't read that way to me.
My biggest takeaway was confusion as to whether he was actually trying to mess with his friend's head, make him cold, and make him want to get out. This is someone he trained with and swam relays with - he doesn't seem very supportive. He's obviously having some success as a coach, so one imagines he is supportive in reality. (Haha, I keep adding qualifiers - I just can't reconcile his words with my known marathon swimming reality. I'm going to watch "Conversations with Dolphins" to see if I can get a better read on him)
I also think he either should have talked either less or more about the Ocean Walker stroke. As presented, it seems like he is claiming to have invented keeping your head in a neutral position to keep your hips high. He did not.
The craziness of jumping into 9 degree water and trying to swim 4k without acclimatization cannot be overemphasized. Even later, as a very experience swimmer, he offers this take about swimming with a group in a 4.7 degree lake: “I didn’t know how my body would cope in the lake and I thought I had better fake this and not show weakness." I love, love to push myself, but his obsession with not showing weakness throughout the book baffles me.
His method clearly works for him (swimming for hours after having been stung by a portuguese man o' war is beyond physical and mental toughness), but it is very much not my style. Luckily, there are lots of styles that work, and I can enjoy his descriptions of these amazing swims and leave the rest.
To be very, very clear - what Adam did IS amazing. Perhaps I am just accustomed to a humbler breed of marathon swimmer. I did think that he also dissed supporters with too much frequency. I imagine him saying, "Oh, and other people are constant negative influences. But I magnanimously forgive them all."
I have never looked at it as my crew's job to manage my mindset - that's on me. But I have not yet gone as far, so maybe I'll have a different perspective when I do. Some of this may also just be that you can't expect someone to be an amazing humorist writer the first time out the gate. I can see that he may have been trying to be funny about, for instance, the boat captain who talked incessantly and in detail about sharks on the way to the swim start - it just didn't read that way to me.
My biggest takeaway was confusion as to whether he was actually trying to mess with his friend's head, make him cold, and make him want to get out. This is someone he trained with and swam relays with - he doesn't seem very supportive. He's obviously having some success as a coach, so one imagines he is supportive in reality. (Haha, I keep adding qualifiers - I just can't reconcile his words with my known marathon swimming reality. I'm going to watch "Conversations with Dolphins" to see if I can get a better read on him)
I also think he either should have talked either less or more about the Ocean Walker stroke. As presented, it seems like he is claiming to have invented keeping your head in a neutral position to keep your hips high. He did not.
The craziness of jumping into 9 degree water and trying to swim 4k without acclimatization cannot be overemphasized. Even later, as a very experience swimmer, he offers this take about swimming with a group in a 4.7 degree lake: “I didn’t know how my body would cope in the lake and I thought I had better fake this and not show weakness." I love, love to push myself, but his obsession with not showing weakness throughout the book baffles me.
His method clearly works for him (swimming for hours after having been stung by a portuguese man o' war is beyond physical and mental toughness), but it is very much not my style. Luckily, there are lots of styles that work, and I can enjoy his descriptions of these amazing swims and leave the rest.
March 21, 2016
Loved it. A good motivational book, although it was very focused on swimming content, rather than more general
July 28, 2017
Excellent book!
August 2, 2025
Impressive journey! As a swimmer I loved reading about Adam's swims around the oceans, but I think he doesn't stress enough the amount of training and commitment necessary to perform such a feat. Everything seems easy and achievable: currents, fatigue and marine life just minor threats on his path. I'd liked to know more about his training routine, diet and help he received by his friends, mates and relatives in those years.
October 12, 2019
Must read for anyone interested in Endurance sports, swimming and a mans desire to conquer his universe. Adam turns out to be a super human during his long seven summit ocean swims around the world.
An excellent inspiration, informative for anyone interested in Ocean swimming .
Highly Recommended.
An excellent inspiration, informative for anyone interested in Ocean swimming .
Highly Recommended.
November 5, 2024
Incredible book - a very ordinary person doing something extraordinary. Courage & bravery shine through demonstrating resilience and the power of using your brain positively to achieve what you desire.
Admittedly I am a committed swimmer and can see how these life lessons translate to life.
It is only ever one arm in front of the other and #youneverregretaswim!
Admittedly I am a committed swimmer and can see how these life lessons translate to life.
It is only ever one arm in front of the other and #youneverregretaswim!
December 7, 2021
This. I loved exploring each of these ultra endurance ocean swims through Walker’s eyes. His grit, determination, mental strength and physical versatility jump from the page, helping me to believe that anything is possible.
October 17, 2022
Incredibly interesting read and something that is almost definitely beyond my personal comprehension or physical competence, however, the written language was average at best and at times even confusing - jumping from point to point without context.
December 28, 2023
I read this in the run up to my first open water swim last year (2023) and it was fantastic. Gives a great insight into the mind of a long-distance swimmer - a driven athlete, really - and within the pages you get plenty of what you'll hope is in the book when you picked it up. Recommended.
January 27, 2019
Such an uplifting and entertaining book. I could not put this down! I was amazed by Adam's determination and the unique and life changing experiences he achieved through grit and determination.
May 20, 2020
So much easier to read than I thought it would be. Such an achievement
December 26, 2020
A motivational read
January 17, 2021
Loved this book, really felt like you got into the mind of Adam, a real insight into the mental and physical battle to achieve what he wanted to achieve.
January 23, 2021
Enjoyed the single minded focus on achieving his goals. Hat off. Makes me want to swim further and faster.
July 12, 2021
Good read for those who are into open water swimming.
September 19, 2021
Brilliant achievement but poorly written book from cover to cover it is self-centred, repetitive ignorant and does not recognise all those around him that made this achievable.
February 23, 2025
Enjoyed this - very motivational and a must read for any open water swimmer, or all year round swimmer.
June 16, 2022
Good book that’s inspires you to stick to your dreams and complete them if you set your mind to it. Quite repetitive and in some places a bit dull
November 15, 2021
Does a great job of describing the cold water and the effect it can have on the body- from his very first naive dip ending in hypothermia. Does a great job describing and explaining the grit, sick and shit involved in these epic swims. But no so good on why anyone would WANT to do them! I mean, there's no pleasure whatsoever in them. Imagine swimming from Catalina in the complete darkness where you couldn't even see the beauty of the water.
pg. 84- about to embark on the English Channel swim and he mentions his wife is on the support boat. His wife???? unless I missed it earlier on, I had no inkling he was married.
So many successful men have this tunnel vision, this selfishness that allows them to pursue their ambitions, putting their family/ relationships in second place. It's a kind of arrogance that is needed alongside talent and determination.
Afterwards he says "I was the happiest I have ever been." His poor family!
And later, when he separates from his wife and meets a new girl on the train, does he really call that chapter "When one door closes, another one opens"???
Not interested in his domestic/ family life from a 'gossip' point of view- but to me, it is absolutely impossible that I would just devote myself to a personal challenge which had no benefit whatsoever for a partner/ family. And I would have been really interested to know more detail of how he managed, who supported him and how he fitted it in.
pg. 84- about to embark on the English Channel swim and he mentions his wife is on the support boat. His wife???? unless I missed it earlier on, I had no inkling he was married.
So many successful men have this tunnel vision, this selfishness that allows them to pursue their ambitions, putting their family/ relationships in second place. It's a kind of arrogance that is needed alongside talent and determination.
Afterwards he says "I was the happiest I have ever been." His poor family!
And later, when he separates from his wife and meets a new girl on the train, does he really call that chapter "When one door closes, another one opens"???
Not interested in his domestic/ family life from a 'gossip' point of view- but to me, it is absolutely impossible that I would just devote myself to a personal challenge which had no benefit whatsoever for a partner/ family. And I would have been really interested to know more detail of how he managed, who supported him and how he fitted it in.
May 5, 2023
Love the real journey
Quite a journey for someone. It is more real than some others. Shows that grit and determination are your biggest allies.
Quite a journey for someone. It is more real than some others. Shows that grit and determination are your biggest allies.
July 11, 2017
I enjoyed it. As soon as I saw it on my sister's book shelf I wanted to read it, especially being a swimmer myself. What an amazing person and achievement he has fulfilled. It's absolutely mind blowing what he accomplished. A true inspiration. In terms of the book it is very simple and in places poorly (mildly) written but the author is no author but a record breaking sports man so this didn't overly bother me. I found the constant 'follow your dreams' and 'you can do anything If you put your mind to it' slightly irritating but the overall message was extremely worthwhile and inspiring especially as I find myself in a very similar position - not sure what to do with my life! I will continue swimming and following my own goals whatever they involve! Well done Adam, a truly inspiring person. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews