Ida Elionsky

Ida Elionsky was a champion long-distance swimmer and handicap swimmer. She was the first woman to swim around the island of Manhattan.

Biography

Elionsky was the sister of Henry Elionsky, also a champion swimmer of that era. She set the long distance swimming record on September 24, 1916 when she swam around Manhattan,, in 11 hours and 35 minutes. In a separate demonstration, she swam 3 miles down the Hudson River with her brother tied to her back.