LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. (July 28, 2025) — Former UC Berkeley All‑American swimmer and ultra‑endurance athlete Catherine Breed has completed the first documented circumambulation of Lake Tahoe via the Lake Tahoe Water Trail, covering more than 60 miles over five consecutive days, starting July 16 at Skylandia Beach.
Breed said she felt energized the day after finishing.
“I think I’ll crash tonight, but I actually feel fine right now,” she said. “Swimming around Lake Tahoe is about more than distance — it’s about building trust, testing my limits, and preparing for the unknown.”
Timeline & Routine
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July 16: Launch from Skylandia Beach in Tahoe City; subsequent legs each morning and evening to adapt to wind and temperature variations.
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Rubicon Point became a highlight, where Breed and her partner paused to watch sunrise over granite outcrops—an emotionally resonant moment that underscored the beauty and solitude of Tahoe’s shoreline.
The multi-stage pace enabled testing of endurance layers, cold‑water adaptation, and logistical coordination—including boat, kayak and support staging—critical skills for her 2026 ‘Swim California’ campaign..
Background & Future Plans
Catherine Breed has a decorated competitive background: a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, Pan American Games gold medalist in the 200‑meter freestyle (2011), and former Cal Bear ranking in top 10 in multiple distance freestyles at Berkeley. Since transitioning to open water in 2017, she’s completed tough swims—including English Channel (2018) and North Channel (2019)—and recently a 28‑mile solo swim from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay.
She now aims to launch her ambitious Swim California expedition in June 2026: a staged swim of approximately 900 miles from the Oregon–California border to the Mexican border. Each leg will integrate real‑time tracking, multimedia storytelling, and environmental outreach.
Local Impact and Conservation Message
Breed noted:
“It’s a privilege … to do this with people I love … understanding that even if it’s hard, I’m still getting to do this amazing thing” .
Her message emphasizes celebrating and protecting natural resources through sport and storytelling, a theme that resonates with local efforts to preserve Lake Tahoe’s unique ecosystem.
