Photographs that I have taken.

Monday, September 02, 2013

Dianna Nyad finally completes her quest to swim non-stop from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida, USA. Her first attempt was when she was in the late 1970's when she was 28 years old. She was not able to complete the journey. The long distance swimmer decided in 2011 to try again when she was 62 years old. During the first night of the swim, she was stung by so many jelly fish that her doctors insisted that she abandon the swim before she dies as a result of the stings. In 2012 at the age of 63 she tried twice. Storms, currents, and more jelly fish stings made her abandon these attempts also. Being so discouraged at the time she swore she would not make any mire attempts; however, on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at about 7 AM at the age of 64, Dianna once again jumped into the water of Havana Harbor to begin another non-stop swim that would end in Key West, Florida wearing special clothing and special lotions to protect her from the jelly fish. By Monday morning she was across the Florida Straights and nearing Key West, Florida. By noon on Monday, September 2, 2013, the US national news media had broadcast that it appears that Dianna was going to be successful on her 5th attempt to complete the swim. The people of Key West began to prepare for her arrival. People began gathering at Smathers Beach for her finish. The news media began to appear. Medical personal from the Key West Fire Department arrived on Engine number 9 To the south of Smathers Beach, near Hawks Channel, Dianna Nyad and her flotilla appearred. Telephoto lens allowed views of Dianna swimming towards shore. The crowd of spectators and supporters had become very large. Dianna continued to swim closer towards shore. Finally near 2 PM on Monday, September 2, 2013, Dianna reached the shore and walked onto the sand. She had accomplished the nearly impossible of swimming non-stop at the age of 64 from Havana to Key West. A swim of approximately 110 miles in approximately 55 hours. She was mobbed by the crowd of spectators who wanted to see and photograph the person who accomplished such an incredible swim. The members of engine 9 of the Key West Fire Department carried a seated, tired, successful, Dianna Nyad on a stretcher from the edge of the water to some shade under some palm trees further up the shore, Under the palm trees Dianna was attended by her medical team and interviewed, photographed, and congratulated by the news media, her supporters, and the mob of spectators.