Catherine Stefanutti is a Triple Crown Swimmer, Making History!

Photo Credit: Supplied

An audacious goal, the vastness of the ocean and a whole lot of mental fortitude. At 58, Catherine Stefanutti braved icy cold waters and choppy swells, pushing through hours of gruelling open water swimming to complete the most famous solo marathon challenge and make SA history!

California, United States of America (25 June 2025) – Catherine Stefanutti, the unassuming wife and mom, whose ability to withstand bloody cold water and keep swimming for hours on end has placed her name in history’s books, becoming the first South African woman to earn her Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming!

The monumental feat involved conquering three of the most challenging marathon swims in the world: the English Channel (33 km), circumnavigating Manhattan Island (48.5 km), and the Catalina Channel (32.3 km).

As her brother, Nibs van der Spuy, puts it, it takes a special kind of strength, determination, and courage to even fathom the enormity of these incredible swims. Not to mention the challenges posed by icy cold waters and sea creatures! Yet, this 58-year-old housewife and mother of two accomplished it all!

Good Things Guy managed to get in touch with the Triple Crown trailblazer, who described the experience as the thrill of a lifetime, a vivid encounter with nature’s wonders, made possible only by the village of support behind her.

“The swim began under a galaxy of stars and the moon rising directly on the water in front of me. The first two hours were calm and peaceful, and I felt completely present in the moment. But then the conditions shifted. A strong, choppy swell rolled in, and for the next four hours, it became hard going. I couldn’t find a rhythm, and despite all my effort, I wasn’t making forward progress. It was dark, disorientating, and mentally tough,” Catherine recalled.

The route was soon altered, opting for a longer but more strategic line that worked with the swell instead of against it.

“It meant extra mile, but gave me the breakthrough I needed.
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“After seven hours of swimming in the dark, the dawn finally came. The first light over the water brought with it clarity, warmth and an incredible surge of energy. From that moment on, I felt strong, focused, and deeply determined to finish.”

Catherine was in the midst of nature’s beauty, witnessing an orange moonrise, a sky full of stars, swimming among playful pods of dolphins, and even whales accompanying her on her final stretch.

“Reaching the rocky, wild California shore was amazing. It was too dangerous to land at the planned landing spot as waves were crashing on the rocks, so we swam a bit further to another rocky cove that was calmer,” she shared.

Seeing her family and friends on the rocks waving South African flags was “everything!”.

“I’ll never forget that feeling.

“This was a solo swim. It took a village to get me across. I’m deeply grateful to every single person who played a part in making it possible.”

Catherine extended her heartfelt thanks to her friends, family, mentors, swimming friends, kayaking team, pilot, coaches and everyone who made this incredible feat possible.

“I’m beyond proud to have completed this swim and now be the first South African woman to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. It’s still sinking in.”

Congratulations to you, Catherine. Thank you for reminding us that when passion and perseverance lead the way, our wildest dreams can certainly come true!