Berkeley teen swims English Channel, completing Open Water Triple Crown for a greater cause

At just 16 years old, Maya Merhige is already one of the most accomplished open-water swimmers in the sport.

Over the weekend, she swam the English Channel – one of the toughest open-water swims in the world – and completed the Open Water Triple Crown by swimming the English Channel, the Catalina Channel and the 20 Bridges Swim in Manhattan. 

But through her accomplishments, Merhige is most proud that her skills in the water could affect real change for those fighting cancer.