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Super El Niño Forces California Coast-to-Coast Swim Northward

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 6:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Catherine Breed completed a coast-to-coast swim in California during a historic super El Niño.
She began at the Oregon border in July 2026 and reached Santa Barbara in October 2026.
NASA JPL scientist Josh Willis said the El Niño reversed the near-shore coastal jet.
The reversal sent currents northward, forcing her to swim south-to-north and doubling transit time.
Breed saw whales, manta rays, dolphins, domoic-acid-affected sea lions, and urged public ocean-conservation action.

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Story summary

Catherine Breed completed a coast-to-coast swim in California during a historic super El Niño.
She began at the Oregon border in July 2026 and reached Santa Barbara in October 2026.
NASA JPL scientist Josh Willis said the El Niño reversed the near-shore coastal jet.
The reversal sent currents northward, forcing her to swim south-to-north and doubling transit time.
Breed saw whales, manta rays, dolphins, domoic-acid-affected sea lions, and urged public ocean-conservation action.