Myra Elizabeth Thompson, Pioneering The Farallon Islands
Phil Cutti, one of the co-founders of the Night Train Swimmers and the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation, recently interviewed San Francisco native Myra Elizabeth Thompson.Born in 1935, Thompson was the first person to attempt the 30-mile swim from the Farallon Islands to San Francisco. The 22-year-old came tantalizingly close to her goal and was pulled from the water within 2 miles of the California mainland in 1957 after an 18-hour attempt.
Cutti will update the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation website here with her historical information.
Photo of Myra Elizabeth Thompson near the Golden Gate Bridge, courtesy of the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation.
This article has been updated here.
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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.
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