Carly Miller to Complete Triple Crown in English Channel to Honor Late Mom, Raise Funds to Fight Cancer
Carly Miller discovered her place in the water when it was needed the most.
She had lost her mother to cancer when she was in high school, and after finding out it was because of a genetic condition, she underwent a prophylactic double mastectomy, herself, as a preventative action.
That loss spiraled into depression and addiction. Every day was an immense struggle.
But things changed when she participated in her first open water swim at age 40.
“I grew up swimming. I grew up swimming competitively through high school. When my mom was ill and I was in high school, the water was definitely an outlet.
“I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I was on a cocktail of meds for a while. After a few years, I quit my meds, finally came out of the fog and I just felt like going to the pool. The more I swam, the better I felt. I started reading books about open water and something was just pulling me to open water.”
Now, at 48, Miller is planning to complete the Triple Crown of open water swimming.
Already having done the Catalina Channel swim and the Manhattan Island (20 bridges) swim, next is the English Channel in August.
“When I first started, it was about swimming to honor my mom,” she said. “I started raising money for FORCE. Every year we do a fundraiser. I am raising again this year. It is about honoring my mom.”
If she completes the English Channel swim, she will be one of fewer than 300 people to swim to the Triple Crown.
A swim coach at Chapman University, she has already completed the California Triple Crown, becoming just the sixth person in history to swim 27 miles across Santa Monica Bay. She raised more money than any other individual for FORCE, a nonprofit supporting families affected by hereditary cancer.
Most recently, she completed the Tahoe Thunderbird swim, becoming just the sixth person to complete all five Lake Tahoe swims.
“I am excited, but nervous. That is generally how I feel going into these,” Miller said. “I have never left the country for a swim before. “The last 8-9 years have prepared me for this point.”
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