Stephanie Montero: Sporting Achievement for the Benefit of Humpback Whales in Bahía de Banderas

The Ríos Hall at the Fiesta Americana Hotel in Puerto Vallarta became the epicenter of excitement and admiration as it hosted the official presentation of the results of the outstanding feat achieved by Stephanie Montero, the outstanding Mexican open water swimmer.

During a press conference, Montero shared the details of her incredible journey: a 37.5-kilometer swim from the Marietas Islands National Park (Riviera Nayarit) to Gemelas Beach (Puerto Vallarta).

Named “Swim for Whales 2023,” the event held on November 18th, was not only a sporting feat, but also a call to action to protect the majestic humpback whales of Bahía de Banderas. Stephanie Montero completed the journey in an astonishing time of 14 hours, 30 minutes and 58 seconds, surpassing not only time expectations but also fundraising goals.

The original fundraising goal was 500,000 pesos, but their initiative raised an impressive 711,000 pesos. These funds were allocated to Ecología y Conservación de Ballenas A.C. (ECOBAC), an organization that has been dedicated to conservation, research, protection and education projects in the Bahía de Banderas for over 25 years. One of their flagship projects is the Whale Entanglement Assistance Network (RABEN), which deploys 15 trained teams along the Mexican Pacific to rescue whales in critical situations.

Montero’s journey was not only a physical challenge, but also a commitment to international open water marathon standards. Certified by the Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF), Stephanie swam solo, with no support from boats or people. Her multidisciplinary team played a critical role in the success of this feat, providing support from planning to execution.

Stephanie Montero’s achievement not only enters the sports record books, but also leaves a positive impact on the environment and fosters social cooperation. By raising this record-breaking amount, significant financial support for humpback whale conservation was secured, proving that sports can be a powerful engine for change and environmental awareness.

Your support will make a difference in preserving these magnificent creatures that enrich our oceans.