Natalie Merrow
From Openwaterpedia
Natalie Merrow, Catalina Channel swimmer
Fear No Pier participants under the pier at Huntington Beach, including Lynn Kubasek, Julian Rusinek, Ray Meltvedt, Theo Schmeeckle, Natalie Merrow, Tanya MacLean, and Scott Zornig just after finishing their 19th stage swim. Photo by WOWSA
Natalie Merrow is an American open water swimmer who had a dream of swimming the Catalina Channel after reading Lynne Cox books.
Open Water Swimming Highlights
- In April 2026, she will compete in the SCAR Swim Challenge in Arizona.
- She competed in the SCAR Swim Challenge, a 4-day stage swim in Arizona on 23-26 April 2025.
- She completed a 32.3 km crossing of the Catalina Channel in September 2010. Read her bio on wordpress.ocean2snow.com
- She started swimming at the age of two and had no idea distance swimming was her forte. The kids in her junior lifeguard program always sat out during the distance swim because it was too cold. She thrived on those swims and loved every minute out there.
- She has participated in Southern California open water swimming events since her 20's and continues to swim in San Clemente at the new Vista Hermosa pool.
- She resides in Aliso Viejo, California and can be found swimming in Laguna Beach with fellow Oak Streaker swimmers every Saturday and some Sundays. Her favorite swim pal is Lexie Kelly and is often seen down in her hometown of Long Beach chasing Lexie around Naples Island.
- She was a member of the Live Bait relay team and is a Lifetime Member of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association.
- She participated in the 2013 Fear No Pier challenge.
Video
External links
- That Others May Live – 5 Special PJs at the 2026 SCAR Swim Challenge
- Line Them Up For The 2026 SCAR Swim Challenge
- Daily News of Open Water Swimming
- Corey Murphey, Jorge Agudelo Win The SCAR Swim Challenge
- Corey Murphey Moves Into Overall Lead After Day Three at SCAR
- Ildiko Szekely, Corey Murphey Battle It Out Across Canyon Lake on Day Two at SCAR
- Swimplifly Wins Day One at SCAR Swim – Three To Go
- Sara Palacios, Swimming from Quito to Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, and Roosevelt
- Two-time Winner Michael Rice Headlines SCAR Swim 2025
- Marathon Swimmers Federation bio
- Around The Piers Across California: Fear No Pier 2.0
- Live Bait And Aged Chum In Open Water
- Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association
- Facebook page for DRIVEN
- Are You DRIVEN?
- Natalie's Blog
- Natalie Merrow Completes Catalina Channel
- SPMS Series OW 2011
- Peer-to-Peer Pressure From Pier-to-Pier
- Marathon Swimming
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Open Water Swimming
- Daily News of Open Water Swimming
- I Got Stung
- Survivors Fear No Pier Down The California Coast
- Inheriting And Sharing A Beautiful Smile In The Open Water
- Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association
- Piers Of The California Coast
