Stephanie Montero Bending

Stephanie Montero Bending, finalist in the 2025 Ultraswimming Awards

Marine environmentalist and Mexican open water swimmer Stephanie Montero

Nado por las Ballenas 3rd Swim for the Whales poster

Stephanie Montero Bending is a Mexican open water swimmer and eco-swim event director from Mexico City.

Open Water Swimming Highlights

She swam 36.2 km across Bahía de Banderas on 17 November 2023 from Islas Marietas to Las Gemelas Beach in Mexico, escorted by Alex Arévalo in the Cruce de Bahía de Banderas in 14 hours 30 minutes 59 seconds.
She founded Nado por las Ballenas (Swim for the Whales).
On 2 May 2025, she will attempt a 43 km night swim from Isla Isabel National Park to Playa El Sesteo through the Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve. Her goal is to raise US$1.5 million to ensure the long-term sustainability of the six projects Nado por las Ballenas currently support.

Sarah Dobbin (Canada) in the Ottawa River, Canada for a 50.4 km crossing from Parliament Hill to Wendover in 15 hours 55 minutes on 21 August 2025, ratified by MSF
Leslie Hamilton (USA) in Lake Norman, North Carolina, USA for a 42.3 km crossing from Highway 70 Bridge to Blythe Landing Boat Ramp (42.3 km) in 14 hours 48 minutes on 6-7 October 2025, ratified by MSF
Stephanie Montero Bending (Mexico) from 42.8 km Isla Isabel National Park to Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve, Mexico in 15 hours 37 minutes on 2-3 May, ratified by MSF
Karen Zemlin (USA) in Lake Superior 22.9 km from Isle Royale to Pigeon Point in 6 hours 12 minutes on 13 August 2025, ratified by MSF