Support Katie Pumphrey's 2025 Swim Season

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

This coming May, I will attempt the “Bay to Baltimore” 24-miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for a 2nd time!

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 is 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. I hope this continues 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 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. WPB’s Mr. Trash Wheel will once again join me for the last mile, as I finish into the the Harborplace Amphitheater.

We invite everyone to support and follow this swim, as well as join us at the finish line, at the Harborplace Pavilion in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor!

Also ahead in my 2025 season ahead, I will head to England in late July 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. 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, which includes my 2nd Bay to Baltimore and 3rd English Channel swims. Funds contribute towards the costs of the swims, 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.

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 community and an exciting future for open water swimming in Baltimore.

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