By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam
Courtesy of Dryrobe®, a SwimSwam partner.
In a remarkable display of courage, discipline and steely determination, Bárbara Hernández raised the Chilean flag to the highest level of international sport. Known worldwide as “The Ice Mermaid,” the extreme swimmer completed a two-way crossing of the Catalina Channel in California, United States, on August 10, following an uninterrupted battle lasting 23 hours, 42 minutes and 13 seconds.
With this feat, Hernández claimed the Double Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, the most coveted distinction in a discipline in which swimmers face marathon distances in the open sea, currents, tides, waves and changing weather conditions, without breaks or physical assistance during the swim.
“I still can’t believe it. This is a dream that I dedicate especially to all the women who are daring to venture into the sea and give themselves an opportunity to pursue what they truly love. Chile has more than 6,500 kilometres of coastline, and it is essential to showcase open water swimming and demonstrate how, through non-traditional sports and teamwork, we can take our country to the very top,” Hernández said.
“Knowing that I am the second woman in the world and the first Latina to achieve this Double Triple Crown fills me with joy. These are dreams that we have shared as a team for decades. Just like my induction into the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame this year, this means so much to me, especially because I come from a hardworking family that taught me to dream big and persevere,” she added.
This odyssey involved a 65-kilometre round trip—32.5 kilometres each way in a straight line—from the mainland near Los Angeles to Santa Catalina Island.
The Chilean swimmer completed the first leg in 11 hours, 51 minutes and 4 seconds. After touching the island and spending less than five minutes on land, she immediately began the gruelling return journey to the California coast, which she completed in 11 hours, 51 minutes and 9 seconds. The mere five-second difference between the two legs reflects truly extraordinary consistency, technical mastery and an exceptional ability to maintain her pace.
Double Triple Crown: A Distinction Achieved by Only Four Athletes in Human History
Completing two-way crossings of the world’s three legendary open water swimming challenges—two laps around Manhattan Island, a two-way crossing of the English Channel and a two-way crossing of the Catalina Channel—is such a demanding feat that, until now, only three people in the world had accomplished it. Bárbara Hernández now adds her name alongside some of the greatest legends in ultra-distance swimming:
Courtney Moates (United States): The first woman in history to complete the challenge. Steve Stievenart (France): An international open water swimming legend. Jason Betley (United Kingdom): A pioneer in extreme ultra-endurance swimming.
The road to glory was not without its remarkable moments. During the first half of the crossing, the Chilean swimmer had to battle strong winds of up to eight knots and waves breaking directly against her face. The water temperature also presented a significant challenge: at 74°F—equivalent to 23.3°C—it posed an unusual physical test for an athlete accustomed to swimming in polar waters.
Hernández also highlighted the unique company provided by Santa Catalina’s marine wildlife. The surrounding waters are home to species such as leopard sharks, horn sharks and even great white sharks, which travel through the area’s underwater kelp forests in search of food.
Shark attacks are rare and, laughing, Hernández recounted how one of these sharks approached her three times to “say hello”—an anecdote that reflects the composure with which “The Ice Mermaid” faces even the most unexpected encounters during her crossings.
“This is a tough swim, with no favourable currents and a lot of wind. We knew that the first 12 hours would be almost like a warm-up before immediately turning around and swimming back. On top of that, there were concerns about my knee injury and the water temperature, which was far too warm for me. But the team’s work and the nutrition plan worked incredibly well,” Bárbara explained.
This triumph also represents the perfect comeback for the Chilean athlete following her previous attempt in 2024. Throughout the challenge, Hernández received the unwavering support of her team aboard the Bottom Scratcher. The team was led by her husband and crew chief, Jorge Villalobos, and included her physiotherapist from the University of Valparaíso, Pía Flores, as well as Sol Ortiz and Constanza Morandi, who took to a kayak to accompany and protect Hernández as she turned around at the island.
The kayak support team consisted of Sidney Russell, Mackenzie Thomas and Angela Lee, while Bob Needham and David Sundius served as official observers for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation (CCSF).
“In contrast to my previous attempt, this time we were able to travel with the entire team thanks to the support of the IND, Banco de Chile and our sponsors,” Hernández emphasised.
The journey that began in 2021, when she swam twice around Manhattan Island in 20 hours and 20 minutes, and continued in July 2025 with her heroic two-way crossing of the English Channel in 27 hours and 14 minutes, has now reached its crowning moment in the waters of the California Pacific.
With the Double Triple Crown now hers, Bárbara Hernández has written an unforgettable chapter in golden letters in the history of Chilean and international sport.
Instagram: @barbarehlla_h
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DRYROBE®
Founded by Gideon Bright, a UK-based surfer with over 30 years of experience in the water, Dryrobe® creates products designed to let you get active outdoors, whatever the weather.
The original Dryrobe® changing robe was based on a poncho Gideon’s mom made for him when he was a teenager. Surfing all year round, Gideon got pretty cold changing outside in those wet English winters! She created a change robe with waterproof material on the outside with a hood and a towel lining.
Now a familiar sight on beaches and on the back of elite athletes at sporting events all over the world. The Dryrobe® client list includes Red Bull, GoPro, and the British Olympic Swim Team.
Find out more at Dryrobe.com.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Bárbara Hernández Makes History as Second Woman To Complete Double Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
Hence then, the article about barbara hernandez makes history as second woman to complete double triple crown of open water swimming was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Bárbara Hernández Makes History as Second Woman To Complete Double Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming )
Also on site :
- College Swimming League Sells Out Ohio State’s Suites For All Regular Season Matches In Under 24 Hours
- Jerry Buss wouldn’t be pleased with Lakers drama: Why Jeanie needs to wave white flag
- Is Leo XIV Stalling on Financial Reform?