Driven: A Glimpse Inside the World of Marathon Swimming

I had the pleasure of spending much of Saturday with Ben Pitterle and his wife Bryn as they came to town for the screening of Ben's documentary, Driven: A Glimpse Inside the World of Marathon Swimming in the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest. The film follows three marathon swimmers and their quest the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California. The swimmers ranged from a 13-year-old age grouper, to a mid-twenties swimming newbie, and finally to a seasoned marathon swimming veteran. It's a compelling watch, and worth downloading if you get the chance. I highly recommend it! Ben works for the Santa Barbara Waterkeepers and it was great to hear his stories about protecting the ocean around his part of the world. The drought is SO effecting everyone there, and he sees it up close and personal. While Ben's not a marathon swimmer himself, he's kayaked for some formidable names, including Ned Denison (on the attempt where he went into cardiac arrest). Ben's stories are fascinating, and Driven reflects his understanding of the sport, the location, and the athletes. Check it out if you get a chance: DRIVEN: A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE WORLD OF MARATHON SWIMMING