Elizabeth Fry (2024)

Elizabeth Anne Fry (born 28 October 1958) is a 61-year-old financial services consultant from Connecticut, U.S.A. and an accomplished record-settingmarathon swimmerwith numerouschannel crossings(e.g., 6 times across theEnglish Channel, 2 times across theCatalina Channel, once across theStrait of Gibraltar, once across theTsugaru Channel, once across theMolokai Channel).NicknamedDouble Downfor her exploits at the 2015S.C.A.R. Swim Challengein Arizona, Fry has achieved theOceans Sevenand theTriple Crown of Open Water Swimming, and is a multiple member of theHalf Century Club.

Oceans Seven Swims

Oceans Seven#1 on 20 August 2003: 33.5 km crossing of theEnglish Channelfrom England to France in 9 hours 5 minutes at the age of 44 years 9 months 23 days
Oceans Seven#2 on 2 August 2005: 32.3 kmCatalina ChannelfromSanta Catalina Islandto the Californiamainlandin 8 hours 56 minutes at the age of 46 years 9 months 5 days
Oceans Seven#3 on 11 June 2013: 14.4 kmStrait of Gibraltarfrom Spain to Morocco in 3 hours 35 minutes at the age of 54 years 7 months 14 days
Oceans Seven#4 on 10 April 2016: 45 kmMolokai ChannelfromMolokaitoOahuin 16 hours 40 minutes at the age of 57 years 5 months 13 days in atandem swimwithMarcy MacDonald
Oceans Seven#5 on 11 September 2016: 19.5 km crossing of theTsugaru Channelin Japan fromHonshutoHokkaidoin Japan in 15 hours 48 minutes at the age of 57 years 10 months 14 days
Oceans Seven#6 on 30 March 2019: 23 km crossing of theCook Straitfrom theNorth Islandto theSouth Islandin New Zealand in 9 hours 54 minutes at the age of 60 years 5 months 2 days in atandem swimwithNora Toledano
Oceans Seven#7 on August 25th 2019: 35 km crossing of theNorth Channelfrom Northern Ireland to Scotland in 11 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds at the age of 60 years 9 months 28 days

Open Water Swimming Career

On 3 September 2020, she completed a 57.1 kmmarathon swimacrossLake Michiganin 21 hours 45 minutes 6 seconds at the age of 61.
Her most recentEnglish Channelcrossing set the world record for the oldest person ever to do atwo-way66.4 kmcrossingto join the24-hour club.
In 2009, she set the 45.9 kmReverse 20 Bridges Swimrecord in 11 hours 44 minutes 5 seconds, breaking the record ofKris Rutfordin 17 hours 48 minutes in 1995.
She was selected as anHonour Swimmerin theInternational Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame‘s Class of 2014.
On 20 August 2011, Fry took 24 hours 49 minutes as a 52-year-old (52 years 296 days) to complete hertwo-way crossing. She began at 11:15 pm on August 19th and swam 14 hours 20 minutes to France, took a short break on the French shore and then swam back to England in a fast 11 hour 19 minute effort.
She holds the world record for – and was the first person to complete – the unprecedented doubleEderle Swim, a 45-mile swim from Manhattan Island in New York to Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
At the age of 50,Fryalso smashed the world record for swimming clockwise around Manhattan and became the first woman to swim around Manhattan Island in that direction when she completed the course in 11 hours 41 minutes 5 seconds, breaking the old mark by over 6 hours. The old record was 16 hours 48 minutes 40 seconds, set byKris Rutfordin 1995.
She finished fifth in the 2009Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
She has crossed theEnglish Channelsix times since 2004
She has run 10 running marathons.
She is the long-standing race director of the 25 kmSt. Vincent’s Foundation Swim Across the Sound.
She has crossed theCatalina ChannelfromCatalina Islandto the Californiamainlandon 2 August 2005 in 8 hours 56 minutes
She has crossed theStrait of Gibraltarin a fast 4 hours 45 minutes on 6 June 2014 at the age of 55
She crossed theMolokai Channelon 9-10 April 2016 in 16 hours 40 minutes in atandem swimwithMarcy MacDonaldto complete 4 channels of theOceans Seven.
She completed the 25-mileIn Search of Memphrein 2011
She participated in theTeam Chanel No. 51 English Channelall-womenrelay
She was one of the top masters swimmers in the 10 km race at the 2012Swim Across America Long Beachevent on 24 September 2012
She completed aRound Jerseysolo swim of 41 miles in 9 hours 44 minutes in September 2014
On 2 November 2014, she won the women’s division in the inauguralCold Water Challengein Connecticut.
She completed acrossingof theCatalina Channelon 24 August 2016 to complete the firstReverse Triple Crownin 12 hours 46 minutes
She completed acrossingof theTsugaru Channelon its eastern peninsula on 11 September 2016 in 15 hours 48 minutes
She was nominated for the 2016World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearcategory in theWOWSA Awards, a recognition of outstanding men, women, performances and offerings around the globe sponsored by theWorld Open Water Swimming Association
She was nominated for the 2015World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearcategory in theWOWSA Awards, a recognition of outstanding men, women, performances and offerings around the globe sponsored by theWorld Open Water Swimming Association
She was nominated for the 2011World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearcategory in theWOWSA Awards, a recognition of outstanding men, women, performances and offerings around the globe sponsored by theWorld Open Water Swimming Association.
She participated in the inaugural 20 kmEmbrace the Challenge, across border swimacrossLake Eriebetween Canada and the USA on 20 August 2016.
On 11 September 2016, she completed a 50.5 kmcrossingofLake Ontariofrom the USA to Canada in 15 hours 46 minutes at the age of 58.
In 2016, she completed acrossingof the 19.5 kmTsugaru Channelin Japan fromHonshutoHokkaidoin 15 hours 48 minutes
In 2016, she completed acrossingof the 42 kmMolokai Channel tandem swimbetweenMolokai IslandtoOahuin 16 hours 40 minutes
In 2016, she completed acrossingof the 32.2 kmCatalina ChannelfromSanta Catalina Islandto the Southern Californiamainlandin 12 hours 46 minutes
In 2015, she completed a 33.2 kmcrossingof theEnglish Channelfrom England to France in 12 hours 15 minutes
On 6 May 2015, she completed a 26.6 kmdouble crossingofSaguaro Lakein theSCAR Swim Challengein Arizona in 6 hours 42 minutes 48 seconds at the age of 56.
On 6 May 2015, she completed a 28.2 kmdouble crossingofCanyon Lakein theSCAR Swim Challengein Arizona in 6 hours 26 minutes 40 seconds at the age of 56.
On 8 May 2015, she completed a 45.6 kmdouble crossingofApache Lakein theSCAR Swim Challengein Arizona in 15 hours 46 minutes 4 seconds at the age of 56.
On 9 May 2015, completed a 18 kmdouble crossingofRoosevelt Lakein theSCAR Swim Challengein Arizona in 6 hours 18 minutes 49 seconds at the age of 56.
In 2014, she completed a 65.9 kmRound Jersey circumnavigation swimin 9 hours 44 minutes.
On 20 August 2011, she completed a 68 kmtwo-way crossingof theEnglish Channelfrom England to France to England in 24 hours 41 minutes 10 seconds (14 hours 20 minutes 40 seconds on first leg + 11 hours 20 minutes 40 seconds on second leg) at the age of 52.
In 2011, she completed a 40.2 kmIn Search of MemphreacrossLake Memphremagogin Vermont in 14 hours 25 minutes.
In 2011, she completed a 56.4 kmtwo-way Ederle Swimin 11 hours 5 minutes.
In 2009, she completed a 45.8 kmclockwise circumnavigation swimaroundManhattan Islandin New York in 11 hours 41 minutes.
In 2008, she completed a 33.2 kmcrossingof theEnglish Channelfrom England to France in 12 hours 1 minutes.
In 2006, she completed a 33.2 kmcrossingof theEnglish Channelfrom England to France in 11 hours 11 minutes.
In 2005, she completed a 32.2 kmcrossingof theCatalina ChannelfromSanta Catalina Islandto the Southern Californiamainlandin 8 hours 56 minutes.
In 2004, she completed a 33.2 kmcrossingof theEnglish Channelfrom England to France in 9 hours 5 minutes.
On 40 November 2016, she attempted acrossingof theStrait of Magellanand pulled out after 50 minutes together withMadhu NagarajaandMichelle Macywho were successful in theirtandem crossingorganized byCristian VergaraandJulieta Núñez Gundlach.
She is a Lifetime Member of theSanta Barbara Channel Swimming Association.
She was inducted in theVermont Open Water Swimming Hall of Famein its Class of 2018.
On 11 August 2018, she completed a 55.5 km (44.5-mile)crossingofLake Huronin 20 hours 54 minutes 54 seconds from Port Sanilac, Michigan, USA to Port Franks, Ontario, Canada guided byJohn Bulsza, aswim masterwithSolo Swims of Ontarioat the age of 59.
On 30 March 2019, she completed a 23 kmcrossingof theCook Straitfrom theNorth Islandto theSouth Islandin New Zealand in an unofficial time of 9 hours 32 minutes 1 second to achieve theOceans Seven. She swam the strait together withNora Toledanoin atandem swim.
On 25 August 2019, she completed a 35 kmcrossingof theNorth Channelfrom Northern Ireland to Scotland in 11 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds at the age of 60 to become the oldest person to achieve theOceans Seven.

Honors

She was nominated for the 2011World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.
She was nominated for the 2015World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.
She was nominated for the 2016World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.
She was nominated for the 2019World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.
She is a member of theHalf Century Club.
She achieved theTriple Crown of Open Water Swimmingand the firstReverse Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
She was selected as anHonour Swimmerin theInternational Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame‘s Class of 2014.
She was inducted in theVermont Open Water Swimming Hall of Famein its Class of 2018.
She was inducted in theSolo Swims of OntarioHall of Fame for her 11 September 2016 swim acrossLake Ontarioat the age of 58 years 415 days that set the fastest American female time for the traditional crossing toMarilyn Bell Park. She completed the swim from south to north (Niagara-on-the-Lake toMarilyn Bell Park) in 15 hours 46 minutes 16 seconds. This was the latest swim-date recorded so far for this course onLake Ontario.
She was named one of theWorld’s 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Womenin 2019 by theWorld Open Water Swimming Association.
She is the oldest person to achieve theOceans Sevenat the age of 60.

2019 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year Nomination

Fry was nominated for the 2019World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearaward with the following nomination:

Elizabeth Fry continues to do what she loves doing…as she seems to be getting better and better at it. Channel swimming is her thing; marathon swimming is her specialty. She swims and achieves records in a humble, mild-mannered way, smiling and expressing heartfelt appreciate every step of the way to her successes. In addition to serving as the long-time race director of the 25 km St. Vincent’s Foundation Swim Across the Sound, she completed a 23 km crossing of the Cook Strait from the North Island to the South Island in New Zealand in 9 hours 32 minutes and a 35 km crossing of the North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland in 11 hours 13 minutes at the age of 60 years 301 days to achieve the Oceans Seven and become the oldest person – male or female – to do so. She is role model and an icon to many, always sharing kind words and her boundless energy with anyone who ventures past the shoreline. She faces high stress in the financial services industry by day and swims by choice for relaxation, her preferred aquatic meditation where she continues to impress even the world’s most elite marathon swimmers. For becoming the oldest individual to complete the Oceans Seven, for continuing to challenge herself and serve as an iconic role model for marathon swimmers of all ages, and for continuing to support and provide leadership in one of the world’s most successful charity swims, Elizabeth Fry is a worthy nominee for the 2019 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

Vermont Open Water Swimming Hall of Fame Induction

Elizabeth Fry, 56 of Westport, Connecticut, is amarathon swimmerand contributor. Fry is a living legend in the international community ofopen water swimmers. She completed theTriple Crown of Open Water Swimmingand has also completed theReverse Triple. She has double crossed theEnglish Channel(swimming theEnglish Channela total of 6 times) and double-crossed theEderle Swim. She has swum across theMolokai Channelin Hawaii and theTsugaru Channelin Japan and theRound Jerseycircumnavigation swim. She double crossed each of the four lakes in the ArizonaSCAR Swim Challenge, an unprecedented feat that has yet to be repeated. She made history in Vermont waters, when she joined the inauguralIn Search of Memphrein 2011. Battling fierce headwinds through the night, she became the first of four to complete that 25-mile internationalcross-border swim. In doing so, she broke through the belief that the border was closed to international swimming and re-opened this iconic route for the many more who have followed since. That first year ofMemphre, five of the nine solo swimmers did not make it. Liz signed on to return the next year and mentor those who failed to complete the first year.Bill Shipp,David Dammerman, andJennifer Duttonsuccessfully completed despite another year of strong winds. Liz has always been eager to helpmarathon swimmersas they take on greater challenges. In doing so, Liz has served as a mentor to Kingdom Swimmers looking to swim ultra distances beyond the fresh waters of Northeast Kingdom lakes, helping them to realize their dreams ofchannel crossingsand circumnavigations in bigger bodies of water.

2015 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year Nominees

Fry was nominated for the 2015World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearby theWorld Open Water Swimming Associationalong with the following nominees:

1.Alex Cape(Canada) Freshwater Adventurer

2.Aurélie Muller(France) Olympian and World Champion

4.Bridgette Hobart Janeczko(U.S.A.) Prolific Marathon Swimmer

4.Chloë McCardel(Australia) Channel Swimmer & Coach

5.Elina Makïnen(Finland) Ice Swimmer

6. Elizabeth Fry (U.S.A.) Double Downing

6.Lorna Cochran(South Africa) Nonagenarian Swimmer

8.Pilar Geijo(Argentina) FINA Grand Prix Champion

9.Rachele Bruni(Italy) Olympian & FINA World Cup Champion

10.Renata Novakova(Czech Republic), Ice Swimming World Champion

11.Sharon Van Rouwendaal(Netherlands) Olympic Cross-over Speedster

12.Tita Llorens(Spain), Marathon Swimmer

2015 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year nomination

Fry was nominated for the 2015World Open Water Swimming Woman of the YearAward as follows:

Elizabeth Fry (U.S.A.) Double Down

Elizabeth Fry is a race director of the 25 km St. Vincent’s Foundation Swim Across the Sound who blew the minds of many of the world’s elite marathon swimmers. The veteran 56-year-old channel swimmer set another almost unfathomable bar in the open water community to improbable heights. Fry took one of the world’s longest open water swimming competitions, the S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge, a 4-day stage swim in Arizona, and obliterated all sense of time and distance. Instead of doing the already-tough 41.6 miles (66.9 km) in the race, Fry simply double downed 84.4 miles (124.8 km): on Day 1, she swam back and forth 19 miles (40.4 km) in Saguaro Lake in 6 hours 42 minutes, on Day 2, she swam 18 miles (28.8 km) two ways in Canyon Lake in 6 hours 26 minutes, on Day 4, she double-crossed 44 miles (54.6 km) Apache Lake in 15 hours 46 minutes, and on Day 4, she double-crossed 12.4 miles (20 km) Roosevelt Lake 6 hours 18 minutes. For her two-timing 46 hour 55 minute S.C.A.R., for challenging herself for 4 consecutive days of double-crossings, and for continuing to support and provide leadership in one of the world’s most successful charity swims in Connecticut, Elizabeth Fry is a worthy nominee for the 2015 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

2016 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year nomination

Fry was nominated for the 2016World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Yearas follows:

Elizabeth Fry just keeps going and going. As she works in the mentally exhausting, high stress financial services industry in New York City, her relaxation and calm comes from facing some of the harshest environments on Earth. Not only did she work killer hours in the office, but she also took the time to travel the world and cross Japan’sTsugaru Channelin 15 hours 48 minutes, Hawaii’sMolokai Channelin 16 hours 40 minutes, and California’sCatalina Channelin 12 hours 46 minutes. In between, the 56-year-old organized the charity swim for the St. Vincent’s Foundation in a 25 kmSwim Across the Soundand mentored others who wish to emulate the remarkable stamina of one of the world’s most prolificmarathon swimmers. For her boundless energy that is enhanced by a bright smile and selfless mentoring, for her achievement of the unprecedentedReverse Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, for being a genuinely humble role model with a remarkable lifestyle balance, Elizabeth Fry is a worthy nominee for the 2016World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

Solo Marathon Swimming Career

S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge(2015), unprecedented 144.8 km (84.4-mile) 4-daystage swim
Ederle Swim(2011), 11:05:06, 45.0 miles
Ederle Swim(2010), 5:15:00, 16.5 miles
Manhattan Island Marathon Swim(2009), 6:44:46, 28.5 miles
Manhattan Island Marathon Swim(2009), 11:44:05, 28.5 miles in reverse direction
Two-wayEnglish Channel(2011) 24:49:00, 42 miles
English Channel(2008) 12:01:00, 21 miles
English Channel(2006), 11:11:00, 21 miles
Catalina Channel(2005), 8:56:00, 21 miles
English Channel(2004), 9:05:00, 21 miles
In Search of Memphre(2011), 25 miles
Strait of Gibraltar(2014), 4:45
Round Jersey(2014), 41 miles, 9:44