Kathie Hewko is a real estate agent from Petaluma, California who specializes in swimming underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Back and forth, she has swum across the mouth of the San Francisco Bay for 37 consecutive years smiling every stroke of the way.

In April 2013, Hewko will reach her 38-year anniversary where the water has occasionally dipped as low as 45ºF (7ºC). As of January 2012, she has completed 87 crossings, the most prolific Golden Gate Bridge swimmer in history.

“The most of anyone by at least 20 crossings,” explains the Michigan native. “I did my 50th Golden Gate swim on my 60th birthday with a goal to swim my 100th crossing on my 70th birthday.”

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