Brit sets world 'southerly swim' record by swimming among Antarctic icebergs

Lewis Pugh has set a new world record for the most southerly swim ever by swimming among Antarctic icebergs.

The 45-year-old Plymouth-born Brit spent about 20 minutes in just his trunks swimming 500 metres at temperatures of -1.7C off Campbell Island between New Zealand and Antarctica, the Daily Star reported.

He completed the task in second attempt as his first was cut short when he was charged by a sea lion.

Pugh said that it was an exceptionally tough swim as he had to navigate around sharp ice, and that his fingers were in "absolute agony" from around the 300 metre mark.

He said it required a 50-minute hot shower to warm his body from the inside after he got out of the water that was as cold as could be without freezing.

Pugh, who has swum in the Arctic and in a lake on Everest and is attempting 5 swims to raise awareness for the protected area in the Antarctic's Ross Sea.

He added that would try to beat his own record over the next 3 weeks, and the only thing that could "warm him" was his actions encouraging world leaders to "preserve the wonderful and important part of the world.