Lynne Cox

Determined, brave and adventurous are a few of the terms that are frequently used to describe Lynne Cox. A woman whose career has explored the far territories of human endurance, Cox continues to redefine the sport of endurance swimming. With an almost mystical ability to blend the functions of mind, body, and spirit she routinely swims in the world's coldest and most treacherous waterways.

Her career as one of the world's most daring and dominant endurance swimmers began at the young age of 15, when Cox shattered both the men's and women's records for her 33 mile swim of the English Channel. Two years later, Cox would set a new record for the Catalina Channel in California.

A daring swimmer, Cox became the first person to swim the Cook Straight which connects the north and south islands of New Zealand. Additionally, she was the first person to swim the Skagerrak between Norway and Sweden, the first person to swim the shark-infested waters around Cape of Good Hope in Africa, and the first person to swim the Strait of Magellan, reputedly the most treacherous 3 mile stretch of water in the world. Furthermore, Cox became the first swimmer to cross Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 12,500 feet, from Bolivia to Peru. In 2002, she was the first person to swim more than a mile in 32 degree water to the ice-bound shore of Antarctica. Cox is the author of Swimming to Antarctica. Named one of the notable women of 2003 by Glamour Magazine, she has been featured on 60 Minutes, profiled in People and Biography, praised by Oliver Sacks and President Ronald Reagan, inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame, and interviewed on numerous radio and TV programs.

A woman who has made a career out of conquering the impossible, Cox has an incredible story to tell. She will inspire audiences, and teach people that with determination and hard work, anything can be accomplished.