For 900 miles, ocean swimmer Catherine Breed reckoned with El Niño

Key Points:

• Catherine Breed, a Mill Valley resident, completed a roughly 900-mile swim along California’s entire coast, swimming 5 to 8 hours daily since July and facing challenges from the historic El Niño conditions.
• Breed observed unusual northward coastal currents likely caused by El Niño reversing typical upwelling winds, complicating her southward swim and sometimes forcing direction changes that doubled transit time.
• She encountered significant ocean pollution near the Tijuana River, where raw sewage spills into the ocean, necessitating finishing her swim about 3 miles offshore and taking preventative antibiotics.
• Throughout her journey, Breed witnessed diverse marine life including manta rays, tuna, marlin, whales, and dolphins, noting changes in sightings possibly linked to warmer waters from El Niño.
• After completing the swim, Breed plans to promote ocean conservation and inspire others to pursue ambitious goals, while taking a vacation before focusing on her next professional steps.