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Katie Spotz is an endurance athlete, author, clean-water advocate, and proud U.S. Coast Guard veteran from Cleveland, Ohio. Once a self-described "benchwarmer," she discovered you don't have to be extraordinary to achieve extraordinary things – and she's been proving it ever since.

  • First to swim 325 miles of the Allegheny River.
  • Youngest to row an ocean solo (Atlantic).
  • Ran 11 consecutive ultramarathons in 11 days, setting a female world record at the time.
  • Completed a 3,100-mile human-powered crossing of South America. Winner of a 200-mile nonstop ultramarathon (1st female, 3rd overall).
  • Named 2020 Coast Guard Elite Athlete of the Year

Beyond the records, her challenges fuel a mission: to bring safe drinking water to communities in need. So far, Katies' efforts have helped provide clean water for more than 50,000 people worldwide.

Featured ambassador stories

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Katie Spotz: A Row to Change the World

This winter, Katie Spotz will launch a 10,000-mile solo row across the Pacific to complete the longest nonstop ocean row in history: all for clean water.

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Featured squad stories

Tideline to Alpine: On Foot Around the Historic Range of the Southern California Steelhead

Sean Jansen takes on another incredible journey to raise awareness and conservation around an imperiled aquatic species native to his California home.

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