Katie Pumphrey to Replicate Bay to Baltimore Swim
Katie Pumphrey is aiming to replicate her 24-mile Bay to Baltimore Swim, which she launched last year.
Pumphrey announced on social media Thursday this year’s window, which will fall from May 18-23. She’ll swim from Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Harborplace in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a swim she first completed in 2024 to highlight the Healthy Harbor Initiative’s efforts at cleaning up and revamping the waterway for public use.
“The Bay to Baltimore swim is not just a personal challenge—it’s about celebrating our city’s progress and encouraging more people to experience recreation on the water,” Pumphrey said in a press release. “I hope this continues to inspire others to embrace the possibilities of our harbor and to be part of the movement toward a cleaner, more accessible waterfront for everyone. To be able to continue to celebrate and highlight Baltimore through my sport is an honor and a dream come true.”
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Pumphrey will consult with the U.S. Coast Guard on ideal tide, weather and water quality conditions for an exact date. Her website will host a live tracker to follow the swim online. The swim took 13 hours, 54 minutes last year.
Pumphrey is working with Waterfront Partnership. Two support boats will be provided by Freedom Boat Club, led by captains Todd Nicusanti and Allan Rex, and a support crew of eight to 10 people, including kayakers and support swimmers.
“Katie’s swim is a testament to how far Baltimore has come in making our waterways more accessible for recreation,” said Adam Lindquist, vice president of Waterfront Partnership. “Her dedication not only inspires others but also highlights the importance of continued investment in clean water efforts.”
Pumphrey is an accomplished open-water swimmer, having completed the Triple Crown of the English Channel (twice), Catalina Channel and Manhattan Island. She is seeking corporate sponsors, “interested in supporting the logistical needs of the swim and contributing to the broader movement of making open water swimming more accessible in Baltimore.” More info can be found at her website, swimkatie.com.
Katie is the real deal. She’s not just a great mascot for the City of Baltimore and the state of Maryland but a terrific role model for the sport of open water swimming, advocate for clean water and champion of women in sports. Now let’s get some sponsors to back her up!