Jim McMahon

At 17, Maya Merhige, of Berkeley, California, has already conquered some of the world’s biggest open water swims (completed in large bodies of water, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes). In July, Maya swam for 11 hours and 39 minutes as she traveled roughly 23 miles across the English Channel, from England to France. The swim earned her the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, which also includes the 20.1-mile Catalina Channel in California and a 28.5-mile swim around the island of Manhattan in New York.

Q: How do you feel before one of these long-distance swims?

A: There’s a big mix of nerves and a lot of excitement. I try to remember I’ve done all of the training that I can do and I can rely on that and trust myself.

Q: What’s it like in the water?

A: The first four to six hours are great. After that, the pain sets in. My biggest focus is thinking about friends and family and everyone supporting me. I do that to avoid thinking about the terrifying jellyfish below me.

Q: Can you rest?

A: There’s no rest, and the food is minimal. About every 30 minutes, the support crew ties four ounces of a carbohydrate drink onto a rope and throws it to you. The rule is you have to continue making forward progress even while you’re eating.

Q: How did it feel to finish swimming the English Channel?

A: I was sobbing. I was just so proud, and there was so much relief. It was one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever had.

This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.