Rahul Somvanshi
Catherine Breed is swimming approximately 900 miles from the Oregon border to Mexico along the California coast in stages. She has encountered great white sharks in the Red Triangle — the stretch of ocean between Bodega Bay, the Farallon Islands, and the Big Sur coast that is one of California's best-known areas for white-shark sightings and research activity — and continued swimming.
Breed's multi-month staged expedition is documented through her project site Swim California. The project raises funds for Sea Dreamers, an organization working to empower women and girls to connect with the ocean. Reports indicate she is using a wetsuit for the expedition.
Catherine Breed's expedition reframes public understanding of ocean safety. By swimming through apex predator habitat, Breed demonstrates that the ocean can be navigated thoughtfully by prepared swimmers. Her route through California's Marine Protected Area network highlights the coastal environments these waters support.
Related open-water safety coverage includes the Chicago River Swim 2026 cancellation.
How Breed Manages the Shark Risk
Breed's support team accompanies her throughout the expedition. How do long-distance ocean swimmers manage shark risk without a cage? Marathon swimmers rely on support vessels and kayak escorts, and may use electronic deterrent devices. Swimmers also typically avoid conditions associated with elevated shark activity and maintain awareness of local marine safety guidance. No method eliminates risk entirely.
Karmactive has also covered endurance swimming through the story of an 18-year-old medical student swims Mumbai’s polluted waters.
Breed's swim is ongoing. The southern stages toward Santa Barbara and beyond remain ahead. For the latest updates on the expedition's progress, visit her official project site at Swim California.
