Gertrude Ederle
Gertrude Ederle
Gertrude Caroline Ederlewas an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in five events. In 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Among other nicknames, the press sometimes called her "Queen of the Waves."...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSwimmer
Date of Birth23 October 1905
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
continued doctors hearing worse
The doctors told me my hearing would get worse if I continued swimming, but I loved the water so much, I just couldn't stop.
civilized course eat manage meals sufficient touring
Of course one can't eat in a civilized fashion while touring in theatres. But I still manage to get my three meals a day. I find that is sufficient for training.
I am not a person who reaches for the moon as long as I have the stars.
Don't weep for me; don't write any sob stories.
whenever
Oh, I eat whatever I want whenever I want it.
hurt giving littles
Slowly I came to know that the depth of our heartbreaks determines the depth of our faith. God gives us everything to conquer the big and the little hurts of life.
water world this-world
When we're in the water, we're not in this world.
done ifs
I just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it
stars moon long
I have no complaints. I am comfortable and satisfied. I am not the kind of person who reaches for the moon as long as I have the stars.
people swim said
People said women couldn't swim the Channel, but I proved they could.
When somebody tells me I cannot do something, that's when I do it,
beach children crazy
To me, the sea is like a person - like a child that I've known a long time. It sounds crazy, I know, but when I swim in the sea I talk to it. I never feel alone when I'm out there.