Nearly 20 Years of Endurance, Dedication, and Swimming the Unswimmable In the Name of Hydrocephalus Research with Team Hydro

Collaborative Article with Peter Finlayson, Captain of Team Hydro

For nearly 20 years, Team Hydro has trained and united individuals across the country, from all demographics, to swim from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco annually to raise funds and awareness for hydrocephalus research. Team Hydro has supported over $1 million in research to date, contributing to the total $15.5 million invested by the Hydrocephalus Association in research. These investments have enabled hydrocephalus researchers to secure a remarkable $84 million in additional research grants. Their dedicated swim team is led by co-founders and brothers, Peter and Sam Finlayson.

We took the time to speak with Peter directly and had only one question – What’s changed from your point of view?

“A lot has changed since our first swim all those years ago. In 2008, my brother, two college teammates, and I were the only Team Hydro swimmers. We simply joined an existing Alcatraz swim event and raised funds directly for the Hydrocephalus Association. That year, my sister was in the ICU at UCSF for an extended period—that’s what sparked our determination. Although she was eventually able to leave the hospital, she was too weak to attend the swim, so my parents rented a hotel room by Fisherman’s Wharf where she could watch us walk by as we boarded the boat to Alcatraz.

Team Hydro in the 20th Swim from Alcatraz

Now, Team Hydro has grown into a full-fledged 501(c)(3) organization. Each year, we charter and fill two boats with dedicated swimmers, organizing our own event entirely focused on hydrocephalus. We’re joined by swimmers, researchers who participate in the swim and speak at the event, along with friends and family who come out to cheer us on. Our mission is to educate people about hydrocephalus and the urgent need for better treatments and a cure.

This year, we were thrilled to welcome one of our largest groups ever for the Team Hydro Alcatraz Swim, including the entire Stanford Water Polo team. We also had four hydrocephalus research grant recipients from Stanford and Indiana University swim with us, along with two remarkable athletes living with hydrocephalus, and friends and family of other courageous hydrocephalus patients. We’ve come a long way in nearly 20 years.

The progress in hydrocephalus research has been incredible too. When we first started swimming in 2008, HA was still primarily focused on patient support and education initiatives. In 2009, HA took a significant step forward in launching their research program, a moment we were thrilled to see. In 2010, we were overjoyed to raise enough money for Team Hydro to sponsor one of HA’s Mentored Young Investigator Awards, which went to Dr. Sonia Podvin.

Swimmers unite in the name of hydrocephalus research

The following year, my sister passed away. It meant a great deal to her to see that a grant was funded in her honor before she passed. We’ve continued to honor her memory by deepening our commitment to hydrocephalus research and strengthening our partnership with HA. My mother, Pam Finlayson, served on the HA Board of Directors for nine years and I am excited to have recently joined the Board to continue our collaboration. To date, we’ve funded over $1 million in research awards, including the Innovator Awards, through our swims, which now include Boston Harbor and the Potomac River. We’ve proudly supported HA as they’ve grown into the largest funder of hydrocephalus research in the world. Today, there are molecules moving toward human trials, and more researchers are entering the field—evidenced by IU’s establishment of the world’s first dedicated hydrocephalus research center.

While there’s still a long way to go for patients, we’ve made significant strides. It’s inspiring to witness the progress and even more exciting to feel the momentum. I truly believe we can discover non-surgical treatments—and perhaps even cures—for some forms of hydrocephalus in the years to come. We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership with HA and look forward to what we can achieve together!”

Dare to swim the unswimmable? Learn more about team hydro and how to get involved at teamhydro.org.

Related Article: Team Hydro Receives National Attention for Hydrocephalus Awareness