Goli Shyamala, a 52-year-old woman from Samarlkota village in Andhra Pradesh, recently achieved an extraordinary feat by swimming 150 kilometres across the Bay of Bengal. She began her journey from Visakhapatnam on December 28, 2024, and reached Kakinada on January 4, 2025, after five days of nonstop swimming. This achievement will be remembered as one of the most inspiring stories in open-water swimming.

A late start to swimming

Shyamala's path to becoming an open-water swimmer is truly inspiring. She started swimming at the age of 40 when she was managing an animation studio with her husband. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, they had to shut down the studio. That’s when she found her love for swimming. She joined a summer swimming camp and began to enjoy the sport more and more.

In 2019, after seeing a swimmer who crossed the English Channel, Shyamala wanted to take on bigger challenges. She spoke to her coach, John Siddique, about her dream of competing in the Olympics. Her coach suggested she begin with Masters swimming, a category for older swimmers. In her first competition, Shyamala did well and finished in sixth place. This achievement marked an important step in her swimming career.

Preparing for the Bay of Bengal challenge

Shyamala's 150-kilometre swim was very tough, and she worked hard to get ready for it. She followed a strict diet and workout plan to make sure her body was in the best shape for the swim. Yoga and meditation were also important for helping her stay mentally strong during the difficult challenge.

The swim began on December 28, 2024, with help from the Coromandel Odyssey Ocean Swimming organisation. Shyamala was supported by a team of 14 people, including medical staff and scuba divers, who made sure she was safe and helped her during the journey.

Battling the waves with unstoppable spirit

Shyamala’s swim was not only about physical strength but also about her mental toughness. As she faced strong waves and changing weather, she kept up an impressive pace of 30 kilometres a day. The journey was hard on her body, causing pain and tiredness, but she pushed through every day, showing the strength of an ox and the calm of a monk.

Her achievement went beyond just physical limits. It wasn’t only a fight against the sea; it was a personal journey where she discovered her own mental power. It showed how strong her will and determination were, proving that with enough courage, even the toughest challenges can be overcome. For Shyamala, completing this swim was not just a physical accomplishment—it showed her inner strength and bravery.

While Shyamala’s swim across the Bay of Bengal was about endurance, it also brought her closer to nature. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled the numerous tortoises she encountered along the way. “I feel proud to say I am 52 years old. I had some issues only one day due to the sickness and health issues of the crew who have been helping me. I came across numerous tortoises throughout my journey to Kakinada. It is as if they were interacting with me, seemingly curious about my identity. It was a wonderful feeling. The tortoises touched my feet and hands. They swam with me. I really felt happy. There are small and big tortoises,” she said.

She also encountered playful dolphins and a large whale. “Actually, whales are friendly. However, to avoid any unnecessary risks, the crew advised me to board the boat. Although whales are friendly, it’s human nature to panic when we encounter such a large and majestic creature,” Shyamala explained.

Even though Shyamala had joyful encounters with nature, she also experienced the sadness of pollution in the sea. “At two stretches, it was heartbreaking to see the carcasses of tortoises. They were floating on the sea. I found the pollution at those two stretches extremely uncomfortable to swim in. I think it was chemical. I have observed numerous instances of waste. The government should focus on this aspect,” she expressed.

Achievements beyond the Bay of Bengal

Shyamala's recent 150-kilometre swim is just one of her many amazing achievements. In 2021, she became the second Indian woman to swim across the Palk Strait, completing it in 13 hours and 43 minutes, despite tough currents that made it even harder. She also swam 38 kilometres around the Lakshadweep Islands in 18 hours and 35 minutes, making her the first Asian to finish this challenge.

Shyamala also conquered the cold waters of the Catalina Channel in the United States, swimming for 19 hours and 47 minutes in temperatures as low as 12 °C. Her love for open-water swimming and her remarkable achievements have made her one of the greatest swimmers in India.

Shyamala isn’t done yet. She plans to swim across the English and Irish Channels and even wants to swim in all five major oceans. With her incredible mental strength and determination, she is sure to reach these goals.

Her journey is not only about physical achievement but also shows the importance of caring for the environment. Goli Shyamala's story is one of great determination and respect for nature, proving that age and gender are no obstacles to achieving greatness.