Who is Catherine Breed?
In short
Catherine Breed is an American open-water swimmer currently attempting an unprecedented 900-mile swim from Oregon to Mexico. She is in the news following reports of her journey encountering a great white shark during the quest.
Who they are now
She is a professional open-water swimmer known for long-distance endurance feats. As of October 2026, she is actively navigating the California coastline as part of a massive swimming expedition.
Why they are in the news
People are searching for her because of her ongoing 900-mile swim quest and a recent encounter with a great white shark.
An example of their work
She is currently undertaking a massive swim from the Farallones towards Santa Barbara and eventually Mexico. This feat involves swimming hundreds of miles along the Pacific coast.
Easy to mix up
Catherine Stefani