Diana Nyad Arrives in Key West After 111-Mile Swim From Cuba

KEY WEST, Fla. -- Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad walked ashore on Key West's Smathers Beach about 1:30 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, becoming the first person to swim across the Florida Straits from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a shark cage.

"Never, ever give up," said the 64-year-old Nyad, her face swollen and salt-encrusted from the 111-mile swim that she had attempted four times previously. "You're never too old to chase your dreams."

She began the weekend's marathon in Havana at 8:59 a.m. Saturday and swam continuously for 52 hours and 54 minutes. Nearly 2,000 people greeted her with loud cheers and applause as she reached the beach and hugged her lead handler Bonnie Stoll, then lay down on a stretcher so medics could check her physical condition.

Nyad first attempted the Florida Straits crossing in 1978 when she was 28 years old. More than 30 years later, in 2011, she tried twice but was foiled by shoulder pain, a debilitating in-water asthma attack and multiple severe jellyfish stings.

During a 2012 attempt, she suffered multiple painful and debilitating stings from box jellyfish despite wearing a protective full-body suit each night.

She donned the suit, gloves and a specially crafted silicone face mask each night to protect her from jellyfish during this weekend's swim, and was accompanied by kayakers with electronic shark repelling devices.

While Nyad is the first person to swim across the Florida Straits from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a shark cage, Australian swimmer Susie Maroney accomplished the crossing with a cage in 1997.

[keywestspearguns]

I was a shark diver on that trip to Cuba with dyana. I swam with her at 4 am in 3ft seas in 1600ft of water the night before. When she came to the beach I was directly behind her to her right with blue board shorts and white shirt. She was unbelievable!!! What an inspiration!!!

[PjSaidsLifestyleChannel]

Just watched the movie on Netflix and all the actors did an incredible job! Such an inspiration ❤

[joedavila]

Imagine swimming across the sea while being bitten by jelly fish, and other sea creatures...and still making it to Florida...what an inspiration this woman is....AMAZING

[ajdonjuan]

I climbed a mountain yesterday 50 meters. Darn near passed out. My respects to this lady

[Agirlsparadoxlife]

Tears keep falling, I love what she said " never give up" she is a total inspiration.

[tthemkthec]

So happy to see a feature film with two kick-ass women leading, Annette Benning and Jody Foster. Thank you, Diana, for listening to your heart and showing yourself, and the world, that where there's a will, there's a way. I hope Diana enjoys the limelight again with the movie.

[neilmyersart]

She is a freaking beast. One of the most amazing things ever in endurance sports !

[davelee]

I remember my wife and I keeping the computer on all night, just so we could see updates when we got up. AMAZING!

[angelmeierproductions]

I met Diana Nyad last night at her book signing in St. Louis, and got a soul hand shake and a smooch/hug and a pic with her. She is beyond cool. I bought her book and she autographed it for me. she is a highly motivational speaker - Love it -- “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” ― Henry David Thoreau

[robertferguson]

Who would dislike this? Seriously? This is one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. Just once, I would like to see unanimity on something that is so clearly ironclad and wonderful. I mean, this isn't about politics, religion, war, race, anything like that. I don't get it.

[raulmemoirs]

Who’s here after watching Nyad on Netflix? 🙋🏽‍♂️

[davewanamaker]

Diana Nyad, who came into this world "with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men." Incredible. I followed her attempts years before and her accomplishing it at age 64 just astounded me! She has to be the greatest swimmer or athlete, for that matter.

[zza-kids]

Came here after watching NYAD on Netflix. What an incredible achievement.

[madgenius]

This out of this world impressive. It’s not even the distance but the sheer dynamic of the ocean who’d make it seem like that completely impossible to pull off let alone by a 64 year old woman.

[jcb]

Whenever I feel like I can't do something, I watch this clip. She inspires us all.

[suepremeworld]

I needed to hear those three precious words never give up she will forever be an inspiration to me bless her forever ❤ thank you Diana Nyad!

[Psytro]

Who else was here from Tyler video Cuba to Florida

[mellowyellow]

She is definitely one of my favorite people. She's incredible and deserves another life of the greatest passions for living.

[janemansfield]

This is truly the most inspirational thing I have ever seen in a very long time. Congrats Diana. You're simply the best.

[jm]

The only person in the world who has found a team that could help her completed the swim ever, the longest swim ever accomplished.
The greatest inspiration