| Anglo-Australian swimmer Country: Australia |
Penny Palfrey, the Anglo-Australian swimmer, set a new record for the fastest female crossing of the Gibraltar Strait in 2010, completing the 3-hour and 3-minute swim. At 49 years old, with three children and two grandchildren, Palfrey is an inspiration to many. However, being a homebody is not her calling.
Palfrey is an exceptional swimmer, regularly participating in various sporting events, including marathon-distance swims. Last year, she successfully completed a 67-mile (108-kilometer) swim from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman, an arduous journey that took her 40 hours and 41 minutes. Palfrey finished the race in a nearly unconscious state, unable to speak due to extreme swelling in her tongue and lips, but managed a triumphant fist pump.
During her marathon swim, Palfrey encountered sharks that were promptly deterred by her support team, and was stung by jellyfish three times. Despite these challenges, she completed her swim and was sent to the hospital for a routine checkup. Palfrey emerged from the experience ready for further conquests.
Palfrey is planning to swim the Florida Straits, a distance of 103 miles (166 kilometers), nearly 1.5 times the distance of her previous record-breaking swim. Prior to Palfrey, Susie Maroney was the first to cross the Florida Straits in 1997, using a shark cage. Diana Nyad attempted the swim twice last year without a cage but was forced to abandon both attempts due to an asthma attack and a jellyfish sting. Nyad is planning to try again this summer.
Palfrey's accomplishments demonstrate her perseverance and determination. She has shown that age is no barrier to achieving one's goals, and her upcoming Florida Straits swim is a testament to her extraordinary spirit. As she prepares for this epic endeavor, she serves as an inspiration to swimmers and adventure enthusiasts alike.