Diana Palm

Diana Nyad, born August 22, 1949, is an American author, journalist, and motivational speaker recognized for her long-distance swimming achievements. She first gained national recognition in 1975 for swimming around Manhattan. Nyad has authored four books, contributed to various publications, and hosted public radio programs. Her career includes a notable, though unratified, claim of swimming from Cuba to Florida in 2013 at age 64. This swim, which used protective measures against marine life but lacked formal sporting supervision, was later denied ratification by the World Open Water Swimming Association and had its Guinness World Records certification revoked due to documentation issues.

Nyad's early life involved moving to Florida, where she began swimming seriously. She attended Emory University and Lake Forest College, where she focused on distance swimming and was introduced to marathon swimming. Her career has also included participation in the Women's World Open Squash Championship and contributing to public radio and television programs. Her 2013 Cuba-to-Florida swim and her partnership with Bonnie Stoll were the subject of the 2023 film "Nyad," based on her 2015 memoir.

Diana Nyad is primarily known for her ambitious long-distance swimming endeavors. In 1975, she achieved national attention by completing a swim around Manhattan Island, a distance of 28 miles, in under eight hours, setting a record at the time. Later in her life, at age 64 in 2013, she claimed to have completed a swim from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida. This journey, spanning approximately 110 miles, was undertaken without a shark cage or fins, though she utilized a protective suit and electronic shark repellent. Despite completing the swim, it was not officially ratified by organizations like the World Open Water Swimming Association due to issues with observer logs and documentation, and Guinness World Records later rescinded its certification.

Beyond her athletic pursuits, Diana Nyad has established a career as an author and media personality. She has written four books, including her 2015 memoir "Find a Way," which details her quest to swim the Florida Straits. Her other works cover her life, distance swimming, and a physical fitness program for women. Nyad has also contributed articles to prominent publications such as The New York Times and Newsweek. Her voice has been a consistent presence on public radio, serving as the host of "The Savvy Traveler" and as a regular contributor to "All Things Considered" and "Marketplace." She has also appeared on television programs, including "CBS News Sunday Morning."

Born in New York City, Nyad moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her family, where she began her serious swimming training in seventh grade. She attended the Pine Crest School, where she swam under coach Jack Nelson. After experiencing a health issue that affected her speed, she pursued higher education at Emory University and later Lake Forest College. It was at Lake Forest that she resumed swimming, focusing on distance events, and was introduced to marathon swimming by Buck Dawson. She trained at "Camp Ak-O-Mak" in Ontario, Canada, and set a women's course record in a 10-mile swim in Lake Ontario in 1970.

“Because I'd like to prove to the other 60-year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams.”