Man Joined by Dolphins During Charity Swim for Dolphin Conservation (VIDEO)

How far would you go to help endangered dolphins? British dolphin enthusiast Adam Walker has chosen to show his love for cetaceans by undertaking the grueling Oceans7 swim challenge – which only four people have successfully completed to date – all for the Whale and Conservation Society (WDC).

Prior to his latest venture in New Zealand’s Cook Strait, which took place on Apr. 21, Walker had successfully tackled the English Channel, the Straits of Gibraltar, the Catalina Channel, the Molokai Strait (where he persevered with his swim despite being stung by a Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish), and the Tsugaru Strait. His final swim of the Oceans7 challenge takes place this August, when he will cross the Irish Sea.

As the video here demonstrates, Walker’s adventure in the Cook Strait took an interesting turn after a pod of wild dolphins showed up and began swimming with him! The 10 dolphins appeared by Walker’s side just as he noticed that a two-meter long great white shark was swimming beneath him. Thanks to the presence of his new-found companions, however, the shark never attacked.

Walker says, “It would a nice thought (if) they were thinking, we will just help our pal get through.”

Tom Hunt, who reported on Walker’s swim for New Zealand news site Stuff, has suggested that perhaps the dolphins “knew, in some strange dolphin way,” that he had undertaken his arduous journey for their sake.

In the end, Walker managed to battle through problems such as severe motion sickness, being unable to keep food or liquids down, and having to battle strong currents around the area of the Brothers Islands, to successfully complete the swim after eight hours and thirty six minutes. Now, that’s dedication!

You can help show your Support for Walker’s cause by donating here.