Kate Rye became the latest person to swim the length of Lake Tahoe this past week. Rye grew up in Incline Village by the shores of Lake Tahoe. In high school, she was a competitive swimmer winning the freestyle state championships for her division four years in a row. Now enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno she has refocused her swimming on triathlons and distance events.
Swimming the length of Lake Tahoe takes skill, determination, and a good support team. The feat typically begins on the South Shore of the lake at Camp Richardson Beach. After swimming 21.3 miles, Ski Beach in Incline Village marks the end of the marathon swim. Rye began the swim at 5 am. Just 10.5 hours later she was walking out of the water elated at her accomplishment. She said the last few miles were the hardest due to winds creating waves on the vast lake.
“In your career, sports, and life in general, mental strength is what is going to lead you to your goals. If you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it.”
– Kate Rye
There have been 70 (documented) successful swims lengthwise across Lake Tahoe. In 2013, two individuals swam the length of the lake and back taking 22.5 and 24.5 hours. Kate Rye is one of the youngest people to have completed the impressive swim. Most people would never even dream of swimming that far, not to mention doing it at 6,224 feet above sea level. However, Kate says, “There is just a sense of peace you get while swimming that far of a distance.” While physical strength is required for the swim, mental strength is more important according to Rye.
So did she swim 12 miles or 21.3…your map is way off. Give Kate the proper credit.