Support Katie Pumphrey's 2025 Swim Season

Hi! My name is Katie Pumphrey, ultramarathon open water swimmer and visual artist from Baltimore, MD.

My 2025 swim season is full of lots of swimming, as well as exciting speaking opportunities, and a solo exhibition of new paintings!!

Last year I became the first person to complete the Bay to Baltimore swim, finishing in 13 hours 54 minutes. Revisiting this history making swim in May was not just a personal challenge—it’s about supporting and celebrating our city’s progress, and encourage more people to experience recreation on the water. While the weather did not cooperate for a full 24-mile swim this past May (recap here), I still swam 2.4 miles through Baltimore's harbor and into the finish where a crowd cheered on Baltimore. I definitely have plans for more Bay to Baltimore swims to come, and truly hope to complete the 24-mile Bay to Baltimore swim many times in my lifetime. I hope these swims continue to inspire others to embrace the possibilities of our harbor and to be part of the movement toward a cleaner, more accessible waterfront for everyone. To be able to continue to celebrate and highlight Baltimore through my sport is an honor and a dream come true.

My 2nd Bay to Baltimore swim and 2025 swim season is once again, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore (WPB), which has served as our city’s advocate, promoter, and steward for the waterfront since 2005.

Ahead in my 2025 season- in late June, I am headed to Rotterdam where I will represent the USA, the state of Maryland, and the great city of Baltimore at the Swimmable Cities Summit. I am truly honored to be a speaker at this international summit, the very first of it's kind. I can't wait to share my Bay to Baltimore story and continue to put Baltimore on the map for my sport and as a swimmable city global leader.

In late July, I will head to England for my 3rd English Channel swim! Of all the swims I’ve done in my career, the Bay to Baltimore and the English Channel have not only challenged me more than any other, they have meant so much. Revisiting swims I’ve completed before, especially ones that have great meaning, is also one of my favorite things to do. It’s incredible to be in a familiar stretch of water again after so many lessons learned. The real magic and biggest challenge of open water swimming is nature— the conditions are always different, and things can be very unpredictable, making each swim experience wildly unique. And truly- I continue to swim because I love it, and I want to share the love and journey in it all.

My season will round out with a solo exhibition, titled Swimming Pool, this September, at the Creative Alliance in southeast Baltimore, which will feature all new large-scale paintings and a site specific installation deeply connected to these swims and my experiences in the water. Swimming Pool will be on view, at the Creative Alliance, Sept 5-Oct 11, 2025. The opening reception is Friday, Sept 5th, 6-9pm. Everyone is invited and welcome to join!!

I am very excited for my 2025 season and I can’t wait to share it with you all.

I am seeking donations for my 2025 swim season. Funds contribute towards the costs of the swims and support me as an athlete, including, but not limited to, boat support, equipment, logistical support, media and film coverage, digital assets, supplies, travel and lodging expenses, as well as costs associated with training in 2025. Funding also helps to support sharing the message behind these swims, uplifting the sport of open water swimming, supporting girls and women in sports, and championing healthy water ways.

This sport is one that requires a lot of support, time in training, and a team to make it a success. Funding support makes these swims and sharing the journey possible.

10% of these proceeds will be donated towards creating a new nonprofit organization, Baltimore Open Water Swimmers (BOWS), with the vision of fostering a community of swimmers around Baltimore and promote the sport of open water swimming. BOWS is committed to advocating for a healthier Baltimore harbor and access to these waters as a safe recreational resource for the city.

Any organizations, businesses, or individuals interested in being an official 2025 Season sponsor, please reach out to me directly via swimkatie.com.

All swim details and updates will be posted to swimkatie.com, along with tracker links for all swims will be shared to follow along. Also follow along on social media: @katiepumphreyart .

Thank you so much for your support! The journey of theses swim, and all of the training and steps it takes to get there, wouldn’t be possible without the generous support and encouragement from so many!

love,

Katie Pumphrey