Wearing nothing but a speedo, goggles and a swim cap, a Lake Mary High School teacher began the first leg of an 8-day swim up the St. Johns River Saturday morning.

Luther Davis, a Physics and Astronomy teacher, plans to swim from Sanford to Jacksonville -- a 164-mile trek in chilly, murky water. His goal is to bring attention to the effects of pollution in our local waterways. He also wants to show his students the journey a raindrop makes once it falls in Longwood and travels to the Atlantic Ocean. 

“When I told them how special this resource is for all Floridians they started to understand and believe in me,” said Davis.

Davis has been planning the trip for over a year, but when he told his family they had one big question.

“Aren’t there alligators in there?,” Luther Davis said.

Truth is, there are gators--many of them. However, the dark waters of the river are so murky you probably couldn’t spot one until it was too close for comfort. Luckily, that doesn’t concern Davis.

Davis began his journey at his home in Longwood where he hiked 3.6 miles to Lake Jesup. The following day he kayaked 16 miles with a small group to the Sanford Marina where he began his solo-swim Saturday morning.  

To complete his journey in eight days he plans to swim between 8-10 hours each day. Only stopping to rest, eat and rehydrate. He will sleep on a houseboat that is staffed with volunteers who will accompany him along the way as a safety precaution.

He took off--rather swam off--Saturday surrounded by family, colleagues, friends and even his students--whom he hopes to inspire with this test of human will.

“My big goal for this entire thing is really to inspire my students. I’m hoping one day they might look back and say, ‘you know what, I had that crazy Physics teacher that did this swim and it inspired me.’ And maybe they’ll do something to give back and inspire others,” said Davis. 

You can track Davis on his journey up the St. Johns River by clicking here.