Home » WATCH: Retired U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden Discusses Swimming the English Channel

WATCH: Retired U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden Discusses Swimming the English Channel

By  //  July 29, 2021

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SPACE COAST DAILY TV SPECIAL PRESENTATION

ABOVE VIDEO: Retired U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden Speaks on Swimming the English Channel.

BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA – Satellite Beach resident and retired U.S. Navy Captain Gina Harden sat down with Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson about achieving her childhood dream of swimming the English Channel on July 18.

To accomplished the grueling crossing, Harden had to endure formidable tidal currents and 60-degree water temperatures.

Space Coast Daily followed Harden’s trek across the Channel, reporting her progress in real-time, thanks to the Channel Swimming Piloting Federation website.

The English Channel is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France and links to the southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its northeastern end. It is the busiest shipping area in the world.

When she was a ten-year-old girl standing with her father and sister looking out over the English Channel, Harden turned to her dad and said, “One day I am going to swim to the other side.”

In a pre-swim interview with Steve Wilson, Harden said after her 35-year career in the U.S. Navy, the time has come.

Harden, a resident of Satellite Beach for the past five years, retired with the rank of Captain and her military career was nothing short of spectacular.

In 1982, she became only the seventh female diver in U.S. Navy history and at one time she was Officer in Charge of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward Headquarters in Afghanistan.

In the latter stages of her military career, she was mobilized as Chief of Operations for the Joint Operations Center at COMUSCENTCOM.

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Gina Harden, a resident of Satellite Beach for the past five years, retired with the rank of Captain and her military career was nothing short of spectacular. In 1982, she became only the seventh female diver in U.S. Navy history and at one time she was Officer in Charge of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward Headquarters in Afghanistan.

Her personal awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).

Harden said it has taken two years of hard training to prepare for the swim and the Channel Swimming Association has strict guidelines that she had to follow.

Some of those regulations include staying in the water the entire time, not being able to touch anyone, or not being able to touch the boat that will be trailing her.

“All I was allowed to have was a swim cap, bathing suit, earplugs and goggles,” said Harden

Swimming the English Channel has been a life-long dream for me,” said Harden. “It has been a long time getting here, and I am really thankful for the opportunity to do it.”

Gina Harden’s decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).
When she was a ten-year-old girl standing with her father and sister looking out over the English Channel Gina Harden turned to her dad and said, “One day I am going to swim to the other side.” After an outstanding 35-year career in the U.S. Navy, the time has come.
When she was a ten-year-old girl standing with her father and sister looking out over the English Channel Gina Harden turned to her dad and said, “One day I am going to swim to the other side.” After an outstanding 35-year career in the U.S. Navy, the time has come.

SUCCESS! Retired U.S. Navy Captain, Satellite Beach Resident Gina Harden Swims the English Channel!Related Story:
SUCCESS! Retired U.S. Navy Captain, Satellite Beach Resident Gina Harden Swims the English Channel!

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