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| Maya Merhige passed a ferry as she swam across the Engless Channel. |
Maya Merhige has done it again! The 16-year-old marathon swimmer has just successfully conquered the English Channel (20.5 miles or 33 km), making her one of the youngest swimmers in history to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, which includes the English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan 20 Bridges swims.
The Chinese American teenager from Berkeley, California swam the English Channel in just 11 hours and 39 minutes on July 13, 2024.
The Chinese American teenager from Berkeley, California swam the English Channel in just 11 hours and 39 minutes on July 13, 2024.
"I'm so grateful and excited to have successfully swum the English Channel and completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming," says Maya.
She undertook the iconic English Channel swim and her other marathon swims to make waves to fight cancer and raise funds for the nonprofit Swim Across America, which funds innovative cancer treatments and clinical trials.
"Swimming the English Channel this year was a big goal of mine for many reasons. This year marks my ninth year participating with Swim Across America. With the generous support of family, friends and others, I have been able to raise an incredible $100,000 to fight cancer, which has gone directly to the Swim Across America San Francisco beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.
FYI: To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org, Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica, and Instagram and Twitter @SAASwim.
"This past year, I've also endured some health battles of my own, and my personal experience has made me even more inspired and passionate about supporting cancer research and treatments at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.
"I'm also going to be a senior in high school this fall and next year will look very different for me as I will leave home to start college. So this was the year to swim the English Channel!"
Conquering the channel between ngland and France completed the so-called Triple Crown which includes two swimming challenges in the US: the 20-mile Catalina Channel which she did at age 14. Last year, she swam 28.5 miles around Manhattan Island.
"We are beyond proud of Maya and her determination and grit to swim these swims," says Maya's mom Liz Tung. "We never imagined Maya, who was just nine years old when she swam her first Swim Across America - San Francisco open water swim, would find such a passion for open water swimming and take her swimming so far.
"We are beyond proud of Maya and her determination and grit to swim these swims," says Maya's mom Liz Tung. "We never imagined Maya, who was just nine years old when she swam her first Swim Across America - San Francisco open water swim, would find such a passion for open water swimming and take her swimming so far.
"Earning the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming at just 16 years old is just incredible! We are thrilled for her!"
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Courtesy of Swim Across America After one of her epic swims, Maya Merhige, left, was joined by her mother Liz Tung. |
Maya's own medical challenges began in March 2023, when after suffering a ski crash, a benign tumor on her pancreas was discovered. Suffering from chronic pain, surgeries and hospitalizations since, she has a newfound empathy for pediatric cancer patients who endure endless procedures and appointments. Despite these challenges, Maya remains undeterred.
"Due to the pain I was experiencing earlier this year, I didn't get to train as much as I would have liked leading up to the English Channel swim," noted Maya. "These past six weeks, after being in the hospital for 10 nights in May, I really had to kick my training into gear," Maya recalled.
"Due to the pain I was experiencing earlier this year, I didn't get to train as much as I would have liked leading up to the English Channel swim," noted Maya. "These past six weeks, after being in the hospital for 10 nights in May, I really had to kick my training into gear," Maya recalled.
"There were points while I was swimming the Channel where I wanted to give up. I swam through schools of jellyfish and had a lot of stomach pain, but I kept thinking that this doesn't compare to what kids with cancer face. That helped me find the strength to keep going."
Continues Maya, "The English Channel was cold and the current was really strong. Whenever I stopped swimming to feed, I could feel myself getting pulled backwards. I knew I had to keep swimming hard, no matter how exhausted I was, in order to get past the tidal current and land on the French shore at Cap Gris Nez. But I made it!"
Continues Maya, "The English Channel was cold and the current was really strong. Whenever I stopped swimming to feed, I could feel myself getting pulled backwards. I knew I had to keep swimming hard, no matter how exhausted I was, in order to get past the tidal current and land on the French shore at Cap Gris Nez. But I made it!"
She already is preparing for her next challenge -- her senior year in high school. Maya also plans to participate in the Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim on October 5, 2024, swimming with her team Chasing Channels, made up of other Swim Across America – San Francisco Junior Advisory Board members and Bay Area youth.
One tradition Maya has is to write the names of friends and family members battling cancer on her swim cap. "I am honored to carry the names of friends and family members affected by cancer on my cap," she added. "I'm going to keep swimming to raise awareness and funds for fighting cancer until we have a cure."
One tradition Maya has is to write the names of friends and family members battling cancer on her swim cap. "I am honored to carry the names of friends and family members affected by cancer on my cap," she added. "I'm going to keep swimming to raise awareness and funds for fighting cancer until we have a cure."
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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