Woman in black wetsuit and white swim cap standing in ocean water during daytime with hills and cloudy sky in background.

Catherine Breed

THE ATHLETE

Over the past 9 years I have been able to travel the world and explore waters locally while going after long swims. This journey has been the most rewarding of my life and I hope to keep pushing the limits of endurance swimming and my own limits.

I want to inspire and motivate others to see what they are capable of.

Visit Catherine’s Website for more info about the athlete:

WHY

For the past few years, I’ve been quietly dreaming about Swim California. Would anyone care? Would anyone join me? Could I really do it? Then, in 2022, I swam from the Golden Gate Bridge to Half Moon Bay. I didn’t do it for a record, I just swam for the love of the ocean, calling it my soul swim.

After that, something clicked.

That inner voice, the one that had been whispering about Swim California, finally became too loud to ignore.

THE MISSION

Swim California stands for something bigger: Community, education, and access to the ocean.

I want to inspire more ocean stewards and raise awareness for ocean conservation through stories and sport.

Check out Catherine’s Non-Profit Company, Sea Dreamers, for more information.

Satellite image of an inland area with a large body of water, mountainous terrain, and urban development along the coast.

Swim California

Swim California is a story through sport of ocean conservation, bravery, and connecting an entire state through love of the ocean.

HIGH LEVEL

Swim California is a 900+ mile stage assisted adventure swim that will take place over 3 months. The swim will be North to South with various stops along the way. This is an extremely complex endeavor that will require constant flexibility and a fleet of resources.

A FIRST ATTEMPT

I am aiming to join an elite group of humans who have been the first to accomplish a monumental feat. This coastline presents unique challenges that will test me all 900+ miles. 

A STORY OF THE COAST

This coast raised me, from sailing to surfing, from swimming to spear fishing. The California coast has been there for me in times of need and in time of joy and plenty. I know I am not the only person who feels this way and I would love to hear other stories and use my platform to share. 

A CALL TO ACTION

We have to protect this place. There are many ways to conserve what we love; through action, education, and inclusion. I aim to bring people into the water in each of those ways. Encouraging someone to learn an ocean sport or to inspire a group to organize an ocean clean up--were all in this together and there are many ways we can contribute.

Woman in black wetsuit standing in ocean, adjusting goggles, with island and cloudy sky in background.
A woman in a wetsuit standing in the ocean with a white swim cap and goggles, smiling as waves crash around her, with rocky hills in the background.
Woman in a wetsuit standing in the ocean, adjusting her goggles, with waves and rocky cliffs in the background.
Person swimming in open water, wearing a cap and goggles.
A woman in a wetsuit and swimming cap with goggles stands in the ocean amidst waves, with hills and cloudy sky in the background.
A woman in wetsuit and swim cap stands in the ocean, adjusting her swim cap after swimming.
A woman in a black wetsuit with blue accents and a white swim cap standing in the ocean near rocky coastline, smiling and enjoying the water.
A woman in a wetsuit and swim cap standing in the ocean, smiling, with rocky islands and a cloudy sky in the background.
Ocean waves crashing near a coastline with cloudy sky overhead.
A woman in a black wetsuit with blue accents standing in the ocean, adjusting her goggles, with a rocky island in the background on a cloudy day.
A person in a wetsuit is standing in the ocean, adjusting goggles, with waves and cloudy sky in the background.
A swimmer in a wetsuit and swim cap standing in the ocean with a shoreline and cliffs in the background.
Woman in a wetsuit putting on goggles while standing in the ocean with a rocky island on the horizon.
A woman wearing a pink swimsuit stands outdoors holding a white cloth mask with sunglasses attached. She has blonde, wavy hair and is standing in front of a blurred natural background with greenery.
A woman wearing a black wetsuit and goggles stands in the ocean, adjusting her goggles with a mountainous island in the background.
Woman in wetsuit adjusting goggles in ocean with hills in background.
Woman in wetsuit and swimming cap adjusting goggles in the ocean, with waves and an island in the background.
Woman in a wetsuit adjusting her goggles in the ocean
A woman wearing a pink swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles stands by water, possibly before swimming, checking her watch.
A young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a pink tank top and a delicate necklace, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.
A woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin smiling outdoors in natural light, wearing a pink tank top and a delicate pendant necklace.
Swimmer in pink swimsuit diving off a dock into calm water with city skyline in the background.
Swimmer performing open water swimming in a large body of water with mountains in the background.
Three people enjoying a sunny day outdoors near water, sitting on a dock with trees and houses in the background.
A person receiving a vaccination injection in their shoulder from a healthcare worker outdoors near trees and water.
A woman with blonde hair in a bun smiling, wearing a black sports top and a necklace, is standing outdoors next to a man with dark hair and beard, wearing a maroon t-shirt, who appears to be adjusting her top. They are in front of a white house with
Close-up of a woman smiling wearing a pink swim cap with logo and goggles, outdoors near water and trees.
Person swimming in a large body of water with mountains in the background and a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a person swimming in open water near a red boat with people onboard, on a clear day with calm water.
A woman with long curly blonde hair on a boat, smiling at sunset on a lake with a forested shoreline and mountains in the background.
Swimmer in pink cap and goggles swimming in open water under bright sunlight
A woman in a blue jacket holding pink dumbbells with arms outstretched outdoors near a body of water with boats, trees, and a bridge in the background during sunset or sunrise.
Person swimming in a large body of blue water near a mountainous shoreline on a clear day.
A woman with blonde hair in a bun standing at a marina, wearing a plaid shirt with boats in the background.
A person swimming underwater in a pool, wearing a pink swim cap and black swimsuit, with an outstretched arm.
Aerial view of a person swimming in the dark ocean water.
An aerial view of a red boat with two people on board sailing on calm water, with a swimmer near the boat.
Swimmer in a pink cap and athletic watch swimming in a large body of water with distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Female swimmer wearing a pink swim cap and goggles swims underwater in a blue swimming pool, with her arm extended forward.
Swimmer in a pink cap swimming in open water under a clear blue sky with distant mountains on the horizon.
A swimmer in pink cap and wetsuit swimming in open water with mountains in the background during sunset.
Swimmer wearing a pink swim cap and goggles swimming underwater with bubbles around, extending arm forward.
Female swimmer wearing pink swim cap and goggles swimming underwater in a pool.
Swimmer in a blue ocean, wearing a swim cap and goggles, with hills in the background.
A woman emerging from the water, assisted by two men, near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, with hills in the background. She is wearing a swimsuit, goggles, and a swim cap.
A woman in a blue athletic tank top, wearing a white swim cap with 'BREED' written on it and swimming goggles on her forehead, smiling after an outdoor swim race. She appears to be wet and tired, with some dirt or salt on her face and shoulders. In t
A woman in a pink swimsuit standing outdoors, smiling and holding sunglasses and a face mask.
A female swimmer standing on the beach, wearing a swim cap and a turquoise swimsuit, smiling and looking to the side.
A woman in a turquoise swimsuit standing on a beach, wearing a white swim cap with text, smiling and with hands on her hips.
Close-up of a young woman with blue eyes and blonde hair in a messy bun, outdoors in a natural setting with trees and mountains in the background.
A man in a beige cap and black jacket is sitting in a blue kayak, holding a paddle, as he prepares to climb onto a boat via a metal ladder over water.
A woman in a swimsuit receiving assistance from two men on a boat near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, with her climbing out of the water.
A woman with blue eyes, smiling, wrapped warmly in a blue quilted blanket on a cold or windy day outdoors.
A woman swimming in a body of water, wearing a teal swimsuit and blue goggles, floating on her back.
A female swimmer in a swimming cap and goggles climbing out of the water using a ladder at the edge of a body of water.
Swimmer in the water wearing a white swim cap and goggles, performing a freestyle stroke in open water.
A female swimmer in a teal swimsuit sitting on a dock, with a white swim cap with an American flag and goggles on her forehead, appears distressed or exhausted, with her hands covering her mouth and face, and white chalk or powder on her arms and fac
An elderly woman in a swimsuit jumping off a boat into the water on a cloudy day.
A person in a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on the water, and a swimmer in a swim cap swimming nearby.
Group of people on a boat, some sitting and some standing, surrounded by equipment, with the ocean in the background, overcast sky.
Swimmer in a white cap swimming in open water near a buoy or kayak.
People observing a swimmer in the ocean, with a kayak nearby and a large cargo ship in the distance on overcast day.
Nighttime image of a swimmer in a swim cap and goggles being assisted to a boat by a person holding a rope, with another person paddling a kayak in the background.
Swimmer in a dark water environment, wearing goggles and a swim cap, actively swimming freestyle.
A person in a kayak night swimming with a headlamp on, practicing open water safety and rescue skills.
A swimmer wearing a white swim cap and dark goggles, holding a red water bottle, swimming in dark water at night.
Swimmer wearing goggles and a swim cap, swimming in dark water at night.
A swimmer in a white cap and goggles swimming in dark water at night.
A person in a kayak and another swimmer in dark water at night, near a large, rusted buoy.
Swimmer in dark water wearing goggles and swim cap, performing freestyle stroke at night.
Female swimmer putting on a swim cap and goggles, wearing a yellow and black swimsuit, with white lotion or sunscreen on her arms and shoulders, preparing for a swim at night.
Female swimmer in a yellow and black swimsuit adjusting her swim cap and goggles at night before a race, with others in the background.
A female swimmer in a yellow and black swimsuit and swimming cap with goggles is climbing out of a swimming pool assisted by a man.
Person receiving a vaccine shot in the upper arm, with a hand resting on their shoulder and a smartphone capturing the moment. The person has painted nails with a festive design, and there is white antiseptic cream on their arm.
Nighttime view of rocky coastline with mountains, illuminated by warm artificial light, with water in the foreground.
A woman with blonde hair in a bun is seen from behind, exposing her back. She is covered in white chalk or clay and is wearing a harness. She has blue gloves on one hand and appears to be preparing for or in the middle of a physical activity, possibl
A woman in a yellow and black striped swimsuit is being painted with white antiseptic on her back and legs by a nurse on a boat, with several people observing and preparing equipment nearby at night.
A clear plastic container with a handwritten list of contents for a first aid kit on top, including items such as glow sticks, Vaseline, goggles, headlamps, shark shields, gloves, gauze, hemastat, extras for a swim cap, phone dry case, whistle, a gra
A person is measuring their ankle with a blue Sharkbanz 2 device, which is used to deter sharks. The device is being secured around the ankle, and there are Sharkbanz packaging boxes on the ground nearby.
A man sleeping on a camping cot on a boat with water in the background, wearing a blue jacket and cap, with a pillow and bags nearby.
A woman in outdoor clothing and a gray knit hat doing a stretching exercise on a rooftop at night, with boxes, a kayak, and bags around her.
A woman in a blue coat leaning on a boat railing at night, with boats and gear visible in the background.
A woman with blonde hair in a ponytail wearing a green cap and brown jacket sitting on a boat, receiving a packaged snack from someone. The boat has blue patterned seats, and there are other people in the background.
Two women wearing outdoor attire and hats sitting on a boat deck with medical supplies and paperwork, smiling and looking at each other.
Two women smiling at a marina, one holding a photograph of a whale and the other holding a card, both wearing casual outdoor jackets and caps.
Group of five people relaxing on a boat deck, some seated or lying on chairs and cushions, with kayak paddles and water visible in the background under cloudy skies.
Two women walking along a dock near boats, one is wearing a black jacket and shorts, the other is wearing a brown jacket and leggings, both smiling and talking.
Hands of a person with blue painted nails assembling a piece of medical or scientific equipment with tubing and a syringe, on a yellow surface.
Woman holding a tattooed lip-shaped object with 'SEND IT' written on it, smiling and showing teeth, with another woman smiling in the background at a marina with boats.
Swimmer in a black wetsuit swimming in open water with pink swim cap and goggles, performing a freestyle stroke.