Catherine Breed, Mill Valley, Calif. , resident, has finished her roughly 900-mile swim of California’s entire coast. To achieve this unprecedented feat, the 33-year-old swam through open water for about five to eight hours per day — and faced an unexpected foe. Related video: Shows Catherine when she reached the Monterey Bay and spoke with KSBW 8
Since starting at the Oregon border in July, Breed experienced this year’s historic El Niño changing the Pacific Ocean in real time. She shared what she witnessed and how El Niño complicated her team’s journey with SFGATE on Saturday afternoon, two days before her ceremonial finish. In this conversation, Breed voiced concern about a surprising current, which seemingly flowed north as she attempted to travel south.