Exceptional Athlete: Florence Chadwick

Ms Chadwick, 1963

American swimmer, Florence May Chadwick, was born on November 9 in the Year 1918. 

She is best remembered as an excellent female long-distance swimmer. To me, she personified the famous proverb popularized by British writer, William Edward Hickson, 

Here are notes on her and her ability to persevere:  

A. In 1950, Oct 12 at the age 31: Swam the English Channel (from France to England) in 13 hours and 20 minutes

B.  1952, Swam from California to Catalina Island ... distance of 26 miles.  Failed 'coz she lost sight of the coastline in the fog.  Did not realize it was only 1 mile away from her destination from where she stopped swimming.

C.  Two months later she tried again and the same thick fog set in.  This time, she had a "picture" ... a mental image of the coastline in her mind.  This time she made it in record time! She beat the male champion by 2.5 hours

BTW, November 9th is also the date, many years ago, when we arrived in the Chicago area as legal immigrants from Asia.  God bless the USA! 

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Strengthened with all might, 

according to his glorious power,

 unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

 Colossians 1:11

Florence Chadwick

International Swimming Hall of Fame




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