Pregnant Riley Gaines Completes Alcatraz Swim, Completely Smashes Online Critics [WATCH]

Former NCAA swimmer and OutKick podcast host Riley Gaines completed the 1.25-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore of San Francisco while 31 weeks pregnant, prompting both praise and backlash online, as reported by Fox News.

Gaines, who completed the same swim last year, undertook the challenge again alongside U.S. Navy SEALs, combat veterans, and her husband, after receiving medical clearance from her obstetrician.

Escaped Alcatraz at nearly 31 weeks pregnant. I’m basically just a human submarine for baby girl. pic.twitter.com/AdAJAoyCvH

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 18, 2025

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Gaines addressed the criticism during a recent episode of her “Gaines for Girls” podcast, reading aloud several social media responses and offering direct rebuttals.

One user wrote, “I guess putting your baby at a risk for click was a decision.”

I guess putting your baby at a risk for clicks was a decision.

— Chugs (@ChugDeezNutz) July 18, 2025

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Gaines responded, “I didn’t know Twitter had so many OBGYNs who suddenly know more about pregnancy and exercising while pregnant than my OB did, who cleared me to do this.”

Another post said, “Maybe not the best time to swim in the ocean then lol but what do I know.”

Maybe not the best time to swim in the ocean then lol but what do I know

— SpinMountain (@sp27331) July 18, 2025

Gaines replied, “Nothing. You know nothing, at least about pregnancy and exercising while pregnant.”

Gaines explained her motivation, stating, “I think I feel so great, and I have the entire time, because I have done things like this regularly, whether being pregnant or not.”

One commenter described the swim as “sadistic torture” for the unborn child, citing “muscles squeezing, adrenaline overdosing, massive pressure on the cervix, womb, sack, and fetus.”

Imagine the torturous, horrific conditions for the fetus. Breathing, muscles squeezing, adrenaline overdosing, massive pressure on the cervix, womb, sack, and fetus. Then, the sloshing and incredibly loud noises. Quite the sadistic torture. Hope the fetus survives the mother’s…

— Brian Stott (@bstott2002) July 18, 2025

Gaines pushed back, saying, “First of all, my developing child in the womb is not a fetus, at this point. If she were to be born—obviously not ideal to be born nine weeks early—but viability is 24-ish weeks.”

The swim route from Alcatraz, the former federal prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay, is known for its rough waters and strong currents.

The prison, which opened in 1934 and closed in 1963, was long considered escape-proof. The most famous escape attempt involved inmates Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin in 1962, whose fate remains a mystery.

Gaines, a vocal advocate for women’s sports and fairness in competition, regularly uses her platform to speak out against the inclusion of biological males in female athletic categories.

Her “Gaines for Girls” podcast on OutKick continues to highlight issues related to female athletics, biological distinctions in sports, and parental rights.

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