Manhattan 20 Bridges Swim: My Journey Around Manhattan at Age 16

My Journey Around Manhattan: The 20 Bridges Swim began in the early morning light. As I stepped into the water at the marina, I felt a mix of nerves and a deep, calm focus. I was about to begin the iconic 48.5 km (28.5 miles) loop, moving counterclockwise through the East River, into the Harlem River, and finally out into the vast Hudson.

Small Presence, Big Impact

While I was swimming in the Hudson, five massive cruise ships passed beside me, creating enormous waves as they moved through the river. The contrast was surreal: they were floating hotels, while I was a speck in the water, feeling like a small duck navigating currents far stronger than myself.

It reminded me of the famous yellow rubber ducks that once fell from a cargo ship and drifted across the globe, eventually helping scientists map the world’s currents. I realized that even the smallest presence in the water can become part of something much larger. Every stroke I took wasn’t just for the finish line; it was for a greater cause supporting cancer research through Swim Across America.

The Invisible Work

This journey didn’t start on race day. It began months earlier with grueling 4-hour and 6-hour training sessions where I learned the true meaning of fatigue. Under the guidance of my coaches, Dan Daly and Bengisu Avci, I spent countless hours mastering strategy, nutrition, and the mental discipline required when the body begins to break down.

I learned to push through the sting of sea lice, the ache in my back, and the persistent nausea. It wasn’t just physical training; it was a lesson in staying calm when discomfort builds and breaking hours of pain into manageable moments of movement.

The Final Push

During the swim, my team kept me going. Alex, my kayaker, stayed perfectly on schedule with my nutrition, while Paula, the observer, tracked every movement. When the currents grew heavy and my energy dipped, I thought of my family waiting at the marina.

Then, the turning point came. My dad held up a whiteboard from the boat:

“You’ve got one hour left.”

Something shifted. The pain faded, replaced by a final surge of energy. Seeing the Manhattan skyline from the water places I had only ever seen from the land felt like a dream.

8 Hours and 23 Minutes

After 8 hours and 23 minutes of continuous swimming, I reached the point where I had started the finish line. The sound of Alex’s finish whistle ringing in my ears was the moment I knew I had done it. I had succeeded. Then, with my final strokes, I swam over to the boat.

Climbing onto the deck after being in the water for so long felt surreal. As the boat headed back toward the marina, I could hear the cheers growing louder. The emotional welcome waiting for me, the applause, and the medal made everything feel worth it. I was exhausted, but as I looked back at the rivers I had just crossed, I felt a profound sense of pride. In those great waters, I was small, but I was fully present. I had conquered the loop of the Manhattan 20 Bridges Swim.