In response to recent press reports about Diana Nyad surrounding her upcoming Cuba swim in August, the NYC Swim provided the following historical information about swims around Manhattan Island.
The first woman to successful complete a non-stop circumnavigation was Ida Elinosky in 1916 who did it in 11 hours and 35 minutes – not Diana in 1975.
Over the next several years, several other women also completed the 28.5-mile swim including Anne Priller (Benoit) who set the women’s record in 9:01 in 1930.
In the intermediate years, pollution, wars and other factors limited swimming around Manhattan Island, but Diana came roaring back in 1975 to set a new overall record of 7 hours and 57 minutes in a well-documented circumnavigation. Since her record swim, more than 600 swimmers have circled Manhattan with the overall record still held by a woman: 5 hours and 45 minutes by Shelley Taylor-Smith of Australia, set in 1995.
NYC Swim posted a warm wish to Diana, “With so many accomplishments to her credit, Diana’s record needs no embellishment. We welcome her return to the sport and the increased visibility she brings to marathon swimming.”
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.