US: Woman sets record by crossing shark-infested open waters

A swimmer has set the record as the first woman to dodge great white sharks from Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco, California to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Kim Chambers, 38, joins four other men who have previously managed to complete the swim in waters that are known to be the breeding ground for great white sharks.

"I had my whole crew just giving me the thumbs up. I can see the bridge and when you can see that you know you have to finish it. I definitely had to dig really, really deep," said Chambers, reported Sky News.

"People think I'm crazy because there are sharks but that's why I'm doing it.

"That's their habitat and they should be there. I think they're magnificent creatures."

Chambers who reportedly finished the swim in 17 hours and 12 minutes was once advised by doctors that she might never walk again.

It was in 2007 when after an accident, Chambers nearly suffered an amputated leg and had to spend the next two years in recovery with a one per cent chance of walking again, reported Hello Giggles.

Social media users paused to celebrate Chambers' big day.