At the age of 60, Megan Moynihan discovered her love for swimming and along with her team of five, she is embarking on a 22-mile swim across the English Channel to celebrate her 70th birthday and raise funds for Aspire, a charity supporting people with spinal injuries.
We caught up with Megan, a Senior Planet reader, architect, and art advisor, during her training for this incredible challenge.
How did you first get into swimming?
About a decade ago, around my 60th birthday, my husband and I decided to join our grandson’s swimming lessons at the YMCA. We both got hooked and started participating in triathlons. While my husband took up ultramarathons, I found my passion in swimming. Initially, I had to take breaks at the pool wall almost as long as it took me to swim a length.
What draws you to open water swimming?
Open water swimming presents challenges like big waves, jellyfish, and debris, which teach you to remain calm and composed.
While I had always been consistent with exercise, swimming laps in the pool got monotonous. The ever-changing nature of open water keeps things interesting and motivates me to stay disciplined while training for a big endeavor.
“The most interesting part of reaching this level of swimming is pursuing something with uncertain outcomes.”
What has the experience been like training for the English Channel swim?
Venturing into the English Channel has pushed me out of my comfort zone, a vital aspect of aging gracefully. It’s a risky endeavor with no guaranteed success, but that’s part of the thrill and excitement.
Being part of a relay team adds an element of commitment as each member is crucial to the team’s success. Passing the cold-water qualification test on my 70th birthday will be my biggest challenge, where our team will swim in chilly waters for an hour and a half.
What does aging with attitude mean to you?
For me, it’s about taking on challenges without assurance of success and giving it my all.
Note: Due to weather constraints, Megan couldn’t complete the English Channel swim this year. Instead, she swam six miles with a group of swimmers to mark her 70th birthday and plans to return in 2025 for another attempt.
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager, contributing as a writer for the site.
