In 1950, Tongay staged a swimming performance by his children in the Mississippi River, 22 miles away from St. Louis. Tongay followed in a boat while his children swam along the river. Kathy, aged 2, swam 5 miles and Bubba, aged 4, swam the entire 22 miles to St. Louis. The performance was recorded by gathered reporters and served as a national introduction for the two children. Tongay then announced that his children would swim across the English Channel.