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Meredith Novack Shatters Swim Record With Two Tiger Sharks Trailing Her

Meredith Novack Shatters Swim Record With Two Tiger Sharks Trailing Her
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Gabriela is an Associate Editor for Huff Post Hawaii.

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UPDATED: Not only did Meredith Novack become the first woman to swim the almost 20-mile round trip route between Lanai and Maui on Sunday, but she also shattered the men’s record time by 44 minutes, and did it all with two tiger sharks trailing her.

Novack, a 37-year-old marathon swimmer based on Oahu, swam across the Auau channel from Lanai to Maui, in 11 hours and 1 minute.

Unbeknownst to the swimmer, her crew spotted two tiger shark following her for part of the swim, at least one of which was 15 feet long. The crew did not inform her until after she touched land. According to UPI, Novack was grateful for her ignorance. “I’m glad they didn’t tell me,” she said.

The crew could be mostly confident in Novack’s safety thanks to the Shark Shield she was using. “The only thing that kept me safe was the Shark Shield,” said Novack.

According to the Shark Shield website, the device consists of two electrodes that emit electric waves, creating an elliptical-shaped field around a swimmer or diver. Sharks have gel-filled sacs called Ampullae of Lorenzini, which they use to sense electrical fields given off by possible prey. When a shark senses the electric wave caused by the Shark Shield, the intense discomfort causes the shark to swim away. It was designed by the South African Kwazulu Natal Shark Board, which was also the first entity to employ shark nets for beaches.

Watch video of a diver using the Shark Shield to deter various sharks, including a Great White.

Novack was not the first swimmer to use unconventional methods to deter dangerous sea life. When 64-year-old Diana Nyad swam 100 miles between Cuba and Key West, she donned a silicon face mask to protect against box jellyfish, which are deadly to humans. She tested the mask ahead of time by swimming through a mob of jellyfish. The tentacles could not penetrate the silicon.

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Before You Go

PHOTOS: Diana Nyad's Swim
Diana Nyad(01 of40)
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FILE - In this Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 file photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad emerges from the Atlantic Ocean after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad's swim from Cuba to Florida has generated some skepticism in the small community of marathon swimmers. Critics have suggested that during a speedy stretch of the 53-hour swim, Nyad might have gotten into or held onto the boat that accompanied her. They also question whether she violated the traditions of her sport by relying on a specialized mask and wetsuit to protect herself from jellyfish. Nyad's navigator and one of the swim's official observers tell The Associated Press that Nyad didn't cheat. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman, File) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(02 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(03 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, swims towards the completion of her 111-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is be first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(04 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, right, gestures a V for victory after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. The swim took Nyad 52 hours and 54 minutes, according to a support team member. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(05 of40)
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U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, center, is taken to Lower Keys Medical Center, Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, after coming ashore at Smathers Beach in Key West, Fla. She completed a 103-mile swim in 53 hours. She became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Key West Citizen, Rob O'Neal) MIAMI HERALD OUT. (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(06 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau Diana Nyad emerges from the Atlantic Ocean after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. The swim took Nyad 52 hours and 54 minutes, according to a support team member. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(07 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau Diana Nyad emerges from the Atlantic Ocean after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(08 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau Diana Nyad, right, is supported by a longtime team member after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. The swim took Nyad 52 hours and 54 minutes, according to a support team member. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(09 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad tells supporters and fans that you are "never too old to chase your dreams" after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. The swim took Nyad 52 hours and 54 minutes, according to a support team member. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(10 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau Diana Nyad receives medical treatment after completing a 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Nyad, 64, is the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(11 of40)
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U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad walks on to the Key West, Fl., shore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, as team members form a wall to protect her, as she becomes the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(12 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(13 of40)
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Long distance swimmer Diana Nyad swims towards shore in Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(14 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(15 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(16 of40)
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Fans push towards long distance swimmer Diana Nyad, center, as she comes ashore, and is greeted by her trainer Bonnie Stoll, Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla., becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. Her trainer Bonnie Stoll (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
(17 of40)
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Long distance swimmer Diana Nyad is greeted by former Key West Mayor Sonny McCoy as she is taken to the Lower Keys Medical Center after completing her historic swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. McCoy, now 86, successfully water-skied, on one ski, between the islands in 1978, the same year Nyad made her first of five attempts. McCoy's son, Sean, at right, chose a parasail to make his trip between Cuba and Key West in 1997. (AP Photo/The Key West Citizen, Rob O'Neal) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(18 of40)
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Long distance swimmer Diana Nyad swims towards shore in Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(19 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(20 of40)
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United States endurance swimmer Diana Nyad is greeted by a crowd as she walks on to the Key West, Fla., shore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll(21 of40)
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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer, Bonnie Stoll hug after Nyad walks ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba. Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. She arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana nyad(22 of40)
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Fans of long distance swimmer Diana Nyad wait for her to make it ashore in Key West, Fla. Monday, Sept. 2, 2013 after swimming from Cuba. U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad walked to shore, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(23 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, swims towards the completion of her 111-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. The white underwater streamer, trailing from the support boat's boom, serves as a navigation aide for Nyad. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
(24 of40)
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A teammates waits for U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad to come ashore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in Key West, Fla., after swimming from Cuba. Looking dazed and sunburned, U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad walked to shore, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(25 of40)
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United States endurance swimmer Diana Nyad is greeted by a crowd as she walks on to the Key West, Fla., shore Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. Nyad arrived at the beach just before 2 p.m. EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(26 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, swims towards the completion of her approximately 110-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(27 of40)
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CORRECTS DISTANCE OF TREK TO ABOUT 110 MILES INSTEAD OF 111 MILES - In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, swims towards the completion of her approximately 110-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(28 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, is escorted by kayakers as she swims towards the completion of her 111-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(29 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Diana Nyad, positioned about two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, swims towards the completion of her 111-mile trek from Cuba to the Florida Keys. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(30 of40)
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, swimmer Diana Nyad talks with her crew less than two miles off Key West, Fla., Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. Nyad, 64, is poised to be the first swimmer to cross the Florida Straits from Cuba to the Florida Keys without the security of a shark cage. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(31 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, points towards Florida before her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(32 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, adjusts her goggles before jumps into the water and start her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(33 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, adjusts her swimming cap before her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(34 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, right, begins her swim to Florida from the waters off Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(35 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, jumps into the water to begin her swim to Florida from the waters off Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(36 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, begins her swim to Florida from the waters off Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(37 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, begins her swim to Florida from the waters off Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(38 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, salutes before her swim from Havana, Cuba, to Florida in Havana on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(39 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, greets her support team before her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Endurance athlete Nyad launched another bid Saturday to set an open-water record by swimming from Havana to the Florida Keys without a protective shark cage. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
Diana Nyad(40 of40)
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U.S. swimmer Diana Nyad, 64, gestures as she explains the jellyfish bites she experienced in her previous attempt to swim from the Florida Straits to the U.S. mainland, in Havana, Cuba, Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. The U.S. marathon swimmer arrived in Cuba Friday for her fifth attempt to swim across the Florida Straits to the U.S. mainland without a protective cage toward off shark attacks. The grueling swim is scheduled to start early Saturday, weather permitting. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (credit:AP)
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