For many fans of professional PWC racing, Christy Swaid’s name is permanently etched into the sport’s history. A six-time world champion, Swaid was one of the most dominant competitors of her era, carving out a reputation built on discipline, physical strength, and relentless focus.
But racing, as it turns out, was only the first chapter.
In 2024, Swaid once again made headlines after setting a Guinness World Record at age 53 — a milestone that underscored not only her athletic longevity, but her continued commitment to pushing physical limits long after stepping away from professional competition. The accomplishment drew attention well beyond the watercraft world, earning coverage from major outlets and even a feature from Porsche highlighting her performance and mindset.
For Swaid, the record wasn’t about nostalgia or revisiting the past.
It was about momentum.
Racing Built the Foundation
Swaid’s rise through the jet ski racing ranks came at a time when professional PWC competition was still fighting for mainstream recognition. Through six world championship titles, endorsement deals, hosting roles, and appearances as a stunt performer on projects ranging from Baywatch to feature films, she became one of the sport’s most visible ambassadors.
“Jet skiing was my calling,” Swaid has said. “Anything else would’ve been more difficult. But this door was wide open.”
That mindset — recognizing opportunity and committing fully to it — would become a through-line in her post-racing life.
From Competition to Community Impact
Well before her recent record-setting achievement, Swaid had already shifted her focus toward something bigger than podiums. She is the founder and CEO of HEAL United (Healthy Eating Active Living), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s health through education, physical activity, and sustainable lifestyle habits.
HEAL United maintains strong ties to the racing and action sports communities, often using the appeal of motorsports and athletic role models to connect with younger audiences. The organization reflects a philosophy that mirrors Swaid’s own career: performance starts with preparation, discipline, and consistency.
In many ways, HEAL United represents an extension of the values racing instilled — just applied off the water.
A New Endeavor, Same Competitive Spirit
Following her 2024 world record, Swaid launched Checkered Flag Living, a new initiative focused on translating elite athlete habits into everyday life. The project blends performance coaching, wellness principles, and mindset training, aimed at helping individuals apply the same discipline used in professional sports to personal health and long-term goals.
While the branding nods clearly to motorsports culture, the message is broader: sustainable success doesn’t come from shortcuts — it comes from structure, intention, and showing up consistently.
Still Part of the Racing Story
Though no longer lining up on the start line, Swaid remains deeply connected to the racing world that shaped her. Her influence now shows up less in lap times and more in legacy — through mentorship, advocacy, and programs designed to inspire the next generation to live healthier, more active lives.
At a time when the sport itself is navigating fragmentation, shifting structures, and growing pains, Swaid’s story offers something refreshingly grounded: a reminder that racing’s impact doesn’t end when the engine shuts off.
