Local marathon swimmer completes swim around Manhattan

DERBY — A local open water swimmer recently completed one of the triple crowns of marathon open water swimming.

On July 5, 2020, 16-year-old Vera Rivard of both Derby, Vermont, and Springfield, New Hampshire, completed the world-famous 28.5 mile 20 Bridges Swim in New York City.

This swim is a circumnavigation swim around the island of Manhattan via the East River, Harlem River, and Hudson River.

Rivard finished with a time of 7 hours and 53 minutes.

Rivard was the first swimmer of the year to attempt the swim.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to swim in these special waters,” Rivard said. “I have dreamed of this swim for as long as I can remember. I feel so lucky to be the first swimmer of the year and hope I can inspire others and show them that if you work hard, you can achieve any goal.”

Rivard wore a patriotic, red, white, and blue suit for the swim and hopes to attempt many more swims in the future.

When she isn’t swimming in local lakes, Rivard trains with the Upper Valley Aquatics Center in White River Junction.