Strait of Gibraltar Swim: Arti Pradhan Wasn't the First Woman

Arti Pradhan is not the first woman to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. That distinction belongs to Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman, who completed the crossing in 1926—nearly a century before Pradhan's attempt.

Kellerman (1887-1975) was a pioneering distance swimmer, aquatic performer, and advocate for women's swimwear reform. Her Gibraltar crossing was one of many marathon swimming achievements that challenged gender norms of the era. Since Kellerman, numerous women have successfully swum the approximately 14-kilometer (9-mile) strait connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco.

The Strait of Gibraltar remains a prestigious marathon swimming challenge due to its strong currents, variable weather, and heavy maritime traffic. Swimmers typically attempt it between June and October when conditions are most favorable.