The Oldest Woman to Swim the English Channel on Retirement Adventuring

At the age of 46, Pat Gallant-Charette’s son decided to swim an open-water race in honor of Pat’s brother who had recently passed away from a heart attack at the age of only 34. When Pat commended his decision and commented that she wished she could do the same, he surprised her by responding, “Mom, you can if you try.” Those encouraging words started Pat’s journey of transition from a mom who cheered in the stands and was afraid of swimming in the ocean to a mom who competed in some of the world’s most famous and difficult open-water swims. Even as a caretaker to her young grandchildren and a working nurse, Pat proved to herself and others that she could accomplish whatever she set her mind to. At the age of 66, she became the oldest woman to swim the English Channel, and she’s still competing and adventuring, proving that age is truly just a number.

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