WorldWarIIisaroundthecorner,buttheonlythingSallyBauercanthinkofistheocean.HerdreamistoswimacrosstheEnglishChannel.Herfatherhastriedtoexorciseherobsessionwithswimmingsinceshewasatoddler,withoutsuccess.Anunwantedpregnancyforceshertoabandonherdream–andherself.Thechild’sfatherdoesnotwanttobeinvolved,soasawomaninthe‘30sinSweden,Sallyhasnochoicebuttodowhatisexpectedofher:tobeamother.ThereisnoplaceleftforherdreamsandSallyispulledintobottomlessdarkness,untilhersisterCarlasavesher.Withrenewedpurpose,togetherthesistersbegintodismantletheconventionstheyareconstantlyfacing.InlateAugust1939,SallystandsontheshoreatDoverandtakesherfirststepintotheEnglishChannel.Sheswimsacrosstheopenandicyseafor15hours,wavingtotheNavywhoarereadyingforwar.AcoupleofdaysafterSallyswimsashoreatCalais,Polandisinvaded.