“Is She Fre**in’ Crazy?!”: Swimming World Stunned as 31-Year-Old Becomes the First Woman to Complete a 37-Mile Swim

Marathon swimming is one of the toughest forms of swimming out there. But in recent times, many swimmers have stepped up their game in distance swimming. Many swimmers were reported to have taken on the daring challenge of swimming across the various channels. Not many days have passed since a Michigan-based doctor made headlines for swimming across a local lake in a month. There are numerous examples of people who took on the challenge of crossing miles of water to showcase their swimming prowess.

A 31-year-old woman from New York achieved a similar feat during a 37-mile swim through a local river. Everyone who heard the news was left flabbergasted, as this is no easy accomplishment. Some of the people even called her insane for attempting such a swim.

A swimming achievement like no other

As reported by Insider, On July 9, 2023, Leslie Hamilton, a marathon swimmer from New York, decided to embark on a 37-mile swimming journey. She completed this long distance while swimming through Staten Island in New York Harbor. Talking about this, Hamilton said that she was completely fine and did not feel any sickness after the swim. She also added that she made sure that her tetanus shot was current. With this achievement, she also became the first woman to complete a swim around Staten Island.

However, this was no easy achievement, and she was also worried about the unpredictability of the current. She was also worried about the danger lurking beneath the water in the form of sharks. The people that she encountered during the swim could not believe what she was doing. She came across the fishermen, and when they were told about her, they were left amazed, and they stated, “Is she fre**in’ crazy?! What is she doing?” For Hamilton’s safety, her fiancée, Yan Fu, was following her with a boat. She also talked about the strains she encountered during the swim.

What Hamilton has to say

She said that she could only have one swimsuit, a cap, and a pair of swimming goggles during the swim. Talking about how she dealt with hunger during her 14.5-hour swim, she stated that when she needed to eat, she would consume the carb powder that she had in her water bottle. She was also carrying rollups of ham with her to avoid any further inconvenience. She trained for over a year with the local marathon swimming group.

Read More: Which Country Has Won the Most Medals in Swimming at the Olympics?

Leslie Hamilton’s courageous 37-mile swim around Staten Island stands as a testament to human determination. Her achievement exemplifies the boundary-pushing spirit of athletes who dare to conquer the open waters, inspiring awe and admiration for their unwavering commitment to the challenge. She will cherish this moment forever as she has etched her name in the swimming history books forever.

Watch this story – Watch: Dolphin Spotted Swimming Near Hilton Head Island’s Shores During a Double Rainbow Phenomenon