Riley Gaines recently completed a swim from Alcatraz to the coast, an impressive feat that she also did last year. This time, however, she was 31 weeks pregnant. The news generated quite a stir on social media, with some people criticizing her choice. Despite the backlash, Gaines took the opportunity to promote her podcast, “Gaines for Girls,” which aims to address issues related to women and sports.
Accompanied by US Navy SEALs, combat veterans, and her husband, Gaines swam approximately 1.25 miles. Afterwards, she shared a photo of her accomplishment on social media, which drew a wave of harsh comments. She remarked that her swim “broke the hearts of liberals.”
In response to her critics, Gaines read some comments aloud, including one that questioned whether she was endangering her baby. She pointed out the irony of self-proclaimed experts on Twitter offering medical advice, noting, “I didn’t realize there were so many OBGYNs on there.” Another comment asked why she chose to swim while pregnant, to which she jokingly replied she knew nothing about pregnancy and exercise.
Gaines also expressed pride in her ability to maintain this level of activity, stating, “I think it feels really good because I did this kind of thing on a regular basis whether I was pregnant or not.” One comment even suggested the conditions were torturous for the fetus, to which she countered, clarifying that developing babies are not just ‘fetuses’—and insisted that viability starts at 24 weeks.
The iconic Alcatraz, transformed into a museum, is famous for its notorious history as a former prison. The mystery surrounding its escape attempts, like the one from John and Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris in 1962, continues to fascinate. These events inspired the film “Escape from Alcatraz.”
In her podcast, Gaines discusses challenges women face in sports, particularly concerning the participation of transgender individuals in women’s categories. It’s a complex conversation, and she brings her experiences to the forefront.
