Kimberly Chambers has become the first woman to successfully swim from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Chambers, 38, who lives in San Francisco completed the 30-mile swim in just over 17 hours.
She began the journey through one of the world’s most notorious crossings at 11:16pm on Friday, swimming through the night and on into the morning.
Kim and her mom. "I'm in shock," says Chambers. #KimSwims pic.twitter.com/g6NdRyyDPE
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) August 9, 2015
Until Chamber’s success only four men had completed the Farallon Islands to Golden Gate Bridge swim.
Chamber’s training partner Simon Dominguez who followed the swimmer in a boat attempted to swim the route last week to become the first person to navigate the stretch in the opposite direction.
However, his attempt was thwarted when he had to stop three miles from the end due to a great white shark, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Huge congrats to #KimSwims of NightSwimmers and @adobe. Amazing. Arrival at #SFYC pic.twitter.com/gBCC4blh7C
— Dan Ziman (@zimandan) August 9, 2015
“I think this is the toughest swim, bar none,” Chambers told the SF Chronicle. “The weather is less predictable, and there are great white sharks.
Read more:
Chambers took up swimming as a form of rehabilitation after suffering severe leg injuries when she fell down the stairs eight years ago, which nearly resulted in amputation.
By 2009 she became the sixth person to complete the Ocean’s Seven, a series of marathon swimming challenges.
She made history. #KimSwims #NightTrainSwimmers pic.twitter.com/u2IJV0AX9m
— Miguel Mattox (@miguelmattox) August 8, 2015
“I had my whole crew just giving me the thumbs up. I can see the bridge and when you can see that you know have to get there,” Chambers told KGO-TV.
A few hours after her swim, Chambers rhad to be sent to hospital due to severe dehydration. She was later discharged after receiving four bags of IV fluid.
A few hours after her swim, Kim ended up in the hospital due to severe dehydration. Discharged after 4 bags of IV fluid. #KimSwims
— Miguel Mattox (@miguelmattox) August 9, 2015
Last month Chambers posted a video of her training in the Farallones.
The Farallon Islands off the coast of California attracts large numbers of white sharks due to its bountiful elephant seal population. The sharks seen here are among the largest in the world with some up to 19 feet long.
