Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – Mexican open-water swimmer Stephanie Montero Bending is preparing for an inspiring new challenge in April 2025. She plans to swim over 40 kilometers from Isla Isabel to the Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve in Nayarit, connecting two critical Protected Natural Areas (PNAs) in the Mexican Pacific.
This extraordinary feat is part of the Nado por las Ballenas (Swim for the Whales) initiative, which seeks to raise awareness about marine ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and the creation of new protected areas. Through her swim, Stephanie aims to emphasize the urgent need to restore and protect marine life, particularly the humpback whales that migrate to these waters each year.
In preparation, Montero completed a nighttime training swim of 25 kilometers on February 22, 2025. She swam for eight uninterrupted hours, traveling from Isla Isabel National Park to a coastal point between Santiago Ixcuintla and San Blas in northern Nayarit.
This training session was supported by a safety team from organizations including the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP), Protección Civil Santiago Ixcuintla, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Swim for the Whales (Nado por las Ballenas, AC) team.
Beyond being a personal challenge, Stephanie’s mission is a call to action for marine conservation. Swim for the Whales has united over 100 organizations, universities, business leaders, and media outlets to support tangible efforts in restoring and protecting marine ecosystems. Her swim not only showcases human endurance but also highlights the importance of sustainable tourism and the preservation of natural spaces.
To learn more or support the cause, visit the Swim for the Whales website.
