17-Year-Old Girl Suffers Thousands of Jellyfish Stings During 14-Hour Swim Across Cook Strait

17-Year-Old Swimmer Overcomes Jellyfish Stings During Epic 14-Hour Swim

Maya Merhige, a courageous 17-year-old American swimmer, proved her resilience by powering through a grueling 27-mile swim across the treacherous waters of the Cook Strait in New Zealand. In an interview with CNN following her remarkable achievement, Merhige revealed that she endured thousands of jellyfish stings throughout the arduous journey, reaching a point where she lost count of the painful encounters.

According to regulations set by the Marathon Swimmers Federation, swimmers embarking on open water solo swims must don swimsuits instead of wetsuits to validate their performance. This requirement left Merhige susceptible to jellyfish stings, with the teenager describing the relentless barrage of stings she faced, averaging around 25 per minute. She confessed her initial fear of encountering jellyfish, stating, “Even when I was getting in the water, I was already like: ‘I’m so scared. I don’t want to see jellyfish.'”

Despite the harrowing conditions, Merhige persevered, attributing her mental fortitude as crucial in overcoming her fears. Choosing to swim at night, she found solace in the darkness that helped maintain her focus. “The entire time I was just fighting myself mentally to kind of get over that fear,” she shared with CNN, reflecting on her mindset during the challenging swim.

Guided by a support boat, Merhige adhered to a strict schedule of taking breaks every 30 minutes during her grueling trek across the Cook Strait. Due to the adverse weather conditions, she was forced to swim a longer distance than initially planned, covering 27 miles in over 14 hours instead of the anticipated 13.7 miles in seven hours. This adjustment necessitated immense physical and mental resilience from Merhige to conquer the formidable task at hand.

Expressing her pride and gratitude on social media after completing the daunting swim, Merhige acknowledged the unwavering support of her crew and the pivotal role they played in her success. Not only did she achieve a personal milestone, but her swim also raised an impressive $33,000 for pediatric cancer research and patient care, further solidifying her commitment to making a positive impact through her remarkable feats.

A testament to Merhige’s unwavering determination and unwavering spirit, her daring swim serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. As she continues to push boundaries and make a difference through her remarkable achievements, Maya Merhige stands as a shining example of courage and determination in pursuit of her goals.