Gina Harden

U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden (Ret.)

Ned Denison hosts an annual Triple Crowner dinner at the end of the Cork Distance Week in Cork, Ireland. On 12 July 2024, Fergal Madden, Paula Yankauskas, Carol Cashell, Gábor Molnár, Milko van Gool, Anita Hartsock, Loren King (first row, left to right) Gina Harden, Liz Fry, Courtney Moates Paulk, Martha Wood, Susan McKay, Laura Lopez Bonilla, Carol Wortman, Matthias Kaßner (second row, left to right) Helen Beveridge, Stephanie Hopson , Rosie Foley, Heather Roka, Kerry Yonushonis, Ned Denison, Bill Shipp, Fionnuala Walsh, Jenny Smith, Simon Olliver, Steve Sutton (third row, left to right) attended

Gina Harden is a 62-year-old American open water swimmer and U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden (Ret.) from Satellite Beach, Florida. In 1982, she became the 7th female diver in U.S. Navy history. She later served as Officer in Charge of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward Headquarters in Afghanistan. She served as Chief of Operations for the Joint Operations Center at COMUSCENTCOM.

Open Water Swimming Highlights

• In 2020 Gina swam 7.4 km from Robben Island in South Africa in 3 hours 8 minutes.
• She finished 15th overall in the 4-day 66.9 km SCAR Swim Challenge in Arizona in 24 hours 10 minutes 58.4 seconds on 1 May 2021 at the age of 61.
  • On 28 April 2021, she crossed Saguaro Lake in Arizona in 5 hours 32 minutes 32 seconds.
  • On 29 April 2021, she crossed Canyon Lake in Arizona in 4 hours 49 minutes 24 seconds.
  • On 30 April 2021, she crossed Apache Lake in Arizona in 8 hours 58 minutes 13 seconds.
  • On 1 May 2021, she crossed Roosevelt Lake in 4 hours 50 minutes 49 seconds.
• On 26-29 April 2022, she competed in the SCAR Swim, a 4-day stage swim in Arizona.
• On 15 June 2022, she completed a 45.9 km tandem swim with Melanie Tyrrell around Manhattan Island in New York City in the 20 Bridges Swim, finishing in 8 hours 58 minutes 23 seconds at the age of 62.
• On 11 August 2022, she achieved the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
  • On 18 July 2021 she completed a 33.5 km crossing of the English Channel in 16 hours 17 minutes 42 seconds.
  • On 15 June 2022, she completed the 20 Bridges Swim, a 45.9 km circumnavigation swim around Manhattan Island in New York City at the age of 61 in 8 hours 58 minutes 23 seconds.
  • On 10 August 2022, she swam across the 32.3 km Catalina Channel from Santa Catalina Island to Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California in 22 hours 37 minutes 46 seconds to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming at the age of 61. Her crossing was observed by CCSF observer Don Van Cleve.

Military Awards

• Bronze Star
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
• Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
• Navy Commendation Medal (two awards)
• Navy Achievement Medal (two awards)

Oldest People to Complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming

1. Ed Horne (UK) 67.8 years
2. Eric Durban (USA) 67.0 years
3. Lars Durban (USA) 66.7 years
4. Pat Gallant-Charette (USA) 64.8 years
5. Jim Clifford (USA) 63.2 years
6. Paula Yankauskas (USA) 63.0 years
7. Gina Harden (USA) 62.6 years
8. Sally Catt (Australia) 61.8 years
9. Mo Siegel (USA) 61.6 years
10. Denise Clarke (New Zealand) 61.6 years

Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming database compiled by the Marathon Swimmers Federation.

External links

• Thrice As Nice Triple Crowners
• That Others May Live – 5 Special PJs at the 2026 SCAR Swim Challenge
• Line Them Up For The 2026 SCAR Swim Challenge
• The Ties That Bind Triple Crowners
• Nikko Price, Lorelei Schmidt Win SCAR after 4 Days in the Arizona Desert
• Lights Out on the Final Day of the 2024 SCAR Swim
• SCAR Day Three - Swimming Into the Belly of the Beast
• How Do You Describe SCAR?
• Jamie Tout Continues a Long, Prolific Career at SCAR 2024
• SCAR Day Two Across Canyon Lake - From Tranquil to Tough
• How He Does It - Kent Nicholas Daisy Chaining at the SCAR Swim
• Price Is Right – And So Was Day One of SCAR, a 4-Day Adventure in Arizona
• The History of Swimming 4 Long Days In SCAR
• 59 Swimmers in Taper Mode in Build Up to SCAR, a 4-Day Adventure in Arizona
• 59 Swimmers to Compete in SCAR: A 4-Day Adventure in Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, Roosevelt
• SCAR Swim
• Listen to and Learn from Older Women Who Rule the Waves
• Women Rule the Waves: Panel Presentation of Astounding Female Open Water Swimmers Over 60
• Stephen Key Forges An Iron Mask Swimmer
• Taking KAATSU To The Extreme - WOWSA
• Taking KAATSU To The Extreme - KAATSU blog
• SCAR Swim: A Logistical Nightmare Is A Dream Come True
• SCAR Swim: Day 4 Across Roosevelt Lake
• SCAR Swim: Day 3 on Apache Lake
• SCAR Swim – T Minus 1
• SCAR Swim – T Minus 2
• Shannon Keegan Talks With SCAR Swimmers
• 2022 SCAR Swim Psych Sheets Posted
• Steve Sutton's Pool at Zuma Beach
• Michael Rice to Defend His SCAR Title Against Some Fast, Fast People in Arizona
• The History of Swimming 4 Long Days In SCAR
• Michael Rice, Ned Denison Discuss The SCAR Swim Challenge On WOWSA Live
• Lake Monster Gives Water Temps Across USA
• Jamie Tout DEFCON Training
• S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge
• Open Water Swimming
• The History of Swimming 4 Long Days In SCAR
• Michael Rice, Ned Denison Discuss The SCAR Swim Challenge On WOWSA Live
• Michael Rice Sets The Standard In S.C.A.R.
• Open Water Swimming