62-year-old extreme swimmer, Diana Nyad was forced out of the water Tuesday morning as she attempted her fourth swim from Cuba to the United States.
At 12:55 a.m. ET, her crew told her the waters were unsafe for her and the team. 15 minutes later Nyad was on the back of the boat wondering when she could get back in the water.
There were thunderstorms. There was lightning, but the brave swimmer asked "When can I get back in? I have plenty left in me and I want to go on."
The storm was relentless and so the swimmer, for her sake and her team's sake, was forced to get to Key West, Florida by boat.
Nyad battled through jellyfish attacks. It was reported by her website, that the swimmer was stung nine times on Monday night. Sharks were also surrounding the team's boat and the swimmer throughout the night, but the crew fought hard to fence off any possible attacks.
Nyad made her first attempt to make the swim from Cuba to the U.S. in 1978 when she was in her late 20's. Though younger then, Nyad did not make it as far as she did in this fourth attempt.
Her motivation then was to improve the relationships between the communist Cuba and U.S. Now, her motivation is driven to giving the elderly hope in achieving any of their dreams.
Nyad will turn 63 tomorrow.
