Wire
Ultraswimmer to Complete 24+ Hour Open Water Swim-a-Thon for Manatees
St. Petersburg, Florida, April 24 — Jessica Kieras, an experienced ultraswimmer from Oregon, will begin an attempt to swim over twenty-four hours along the Gulf Coast of Florida on the morning of April 24. The swim will begin from Pass-a-Grille Beach and head north toward Honeymoon Island State Park, although the finish location will depend on distance covered over at least 24 hours. The swim is a fundraiser for Save the Manatee Club.
“These giants are gentle and don’t strive to conquer anyone or anything. They are winning just by being. On April 24, I will embark on a 24+ hour ocean swim for Save the Manatee Club. I won’t be in a hurry. I won’t be setting a record. There is no pre-determined destination. I will get ‘there’ when I get ‘there’.” –Jessica Kieras, ultraswimmer
Manatees are currently listed as threatened, with 41% of deaths identified as human related. Save the Manatee Club’s mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat for today and for future generations. They rescue and rehabilitate manatees, restore habitat, conduct research, offer education and advocate for better protections.
The swim will follow Marathon Swimmers Federation rules which include not resting on the boat or any flotation device and using only swimsuit, cap, goggles, ear plugs and nose clip for equipment. Kieras will be accompanied by Grace, a 2001 Dufour 30 Classic Sailboat and six crew members.
If successful, it would be the first swim over twenty-four hours officially completed along Florida’s gulf coast. Official records of solo ultraswims are maintained in the Marathon Swimmers Federation’s Long Swims Database.
To learn more, visit: https://go.rallyup.com/
Media Contact: Jessica Kieras, jkieras@gmail.com, 503-369-5003
Marathon Swimmers Federation: ultraswimming.org
Jessica Kieras’ previous swims: https://ultraswimming.org/
