“This is going to be the finale for a while…,” Suzanne Heim-Bowen famously commented to a TV reporter after finishing one of her cold water marathon swims in San Francisco Bay in 1984.
With a dramatic pause, a wide smile, and a twinkle in her eyes, the-then 25-year-old finished her comment to the reporter, “…until at least next week.”
Heim-Bowen is still swimming long, far, cold, and hard at the age of 65. She recently completed a 19.6 km swim across the Santa Barbara Channel in 5 hours 40 minutes and the 18.6 km Around Coronado Island Swim in 4 hours 26 minutes. Her full marathon swimming list is here on the Marathon Swimmers Federation database.
Ned Denison, chairperson of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, announced Heim-Bowen as an Honor Swimmer in the IMSHOF Class of 2024, recognizing the northern Californian for her prolific career as a marathon swimming competitor and soloist. Prior to receiving that honor, Heim-Bowen has also been inducted in the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Open Water Swimmer in the Class of 2007.
Denison explains the background of her honors, “She won 1 Major, the 1988 FINA Long Distance Swimming World Cup at the age of 29. She was the first to complete these major swims in the San Francisco Bay area: 41 km from Richmond Bridge to San Mateo Bridge in 1984, 33 km from Carquinez Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in 1983, a 2-way 19.6 km swim in the San Francisco Bay from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in 1986, and 16 km from Bay Bridge to Ocean Beach in 1982. After her pioneering swims, several of these swims are now standard offerings for marathon swimmers.
Suzanne set the female record in 2019 for the longest period to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming at 34.1 years, which still holds at end 2023. She set two overall marathon speed records in 2021 (her fourth decade in the sport) at the age of 63: a 19.1 km Fastnet crossing in Ireland at 6 hours 9 minutes in 2021 (which was broken by a man in 2022) and the 33 km Washington, D.C. Marathon Swim at 7 hours 50 minutes which she still holds in 2023.
Suzanne swam the English Channel 3 times, all under 10 hours and 26 minutes, and held the 4th fastest female time from France to England (for her 1985 crossing in 10 hours 11 minutes, without GPS). She also holds numerous pool World Masters records. Suzanne worked over 45 years as an educational psychologist and special education teacher supporting individuals with significant physical and special needs.”
Steven Munatones has always been touched and inspired by Heim-Bowen, as many others in the sport and on dryland have. “Our sport has so many heroes, but it is rare that their story is put on film. Deborah McDonald captured the essence of what makes Suzanne a humble champion in every sense of the word in her documentary film 50 year old FRESHMAN. She is one of those rare individuals who brings smiles to the face of many, both in and out of the water.”
From her teens to her second half of her career, another honor richly deserved:
© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“
Little did we know while cramming like 5 or 6 gals in one lane cause the guys had the other 5 that we were swimming with a super human. That was at Cal Poly SLO late 70s. Congrats on all your tremendous accomplishments in the pool. In the cold waters. In the oceans. Etc. and in life. One day I may be sitting at Aquatic Park and wave to you as you finish your workout. 🙂
So happy for you, Suzanne! So well deserved! Looking forward to celebrating in Mexico!
Suzanne, through the years you’ve inspired all of us here at the Dolphin Club.
We collectively congratulate you on your many achievements, and appreciate all you do to inspire others.
With Great Respect and Love,
-Neal and Daragh Powers
You continue to be my SHE-RO Suzanne – so happy for this honor for you – you deserve it and more!
You continue to inspire me with all of who you are and what you do!
Big love and hugs to you
Karen Drucker
Suzanne is an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on all your accomplishments over your career. I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet in Newport Beach and it was a privilege to kayak alongside you in Catalina, and watch you swim the SF bay. Way to go!!
Once again Suzanne is honored and it’s so well deserved! She is humble, kind and a truly great swimmer! I never knew anything about open water swimming until I met her! What an inspiration, she had been a real mentor to me and many others💜💖💜Congratulations Suzanne on this honor 🏊♀️🏊♀️🏊♀️🥇🥇🥇
I remember well when Suzanne first won the Dolphin Club Golden Gate Swim, maybe 1987? She beat perennial winner Mike Garibaldi for the first time. Many Dolphin swim wins followed. Congratulations on your many successes and for this new honor.
Phil Rollins
Dolphin Club Swim Commissioner mid-1980’s
I clearly recall Suzanne winning the Dolphin Club annual Golden Gate Swim for the first time. dethroning perennial champ Mike Garibaldi, maybe 1987? There were many Dolphin swim wins to follow. Congratulations on your long and amazing career from one of your many inspired fans.
Dolphin Club Swim Commissioner mid -1980’s