A Swimmer’s Second Chance: Overcoming Scoliosis to Make a Triumphant Return to the Water

The next installment of our spotlight series welcomes Annie Kramer, a former collegiate swimmer, who underwent spinal reconstruction surgery following a progressive battle with scoliosis. Read all about Annie’s incredible journey from having to re-learn basic motor skills to working her way up to competing in the 2025 North Shore Swim Series, where she took 2nd Place Female in her age group in the JACO Chun’s to Waimea Swim.

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How did you get involved in swimming and what is your earliest memory of ocean swimming in Hawaii?  

I started swimming in middle school and continued through college in Texas. These days, I swim for fun with my masters team. This summer I was lucky to spend a few months in Hawaii for a clinical rotation at Shriners Children’s Hospital. Believe it or not, this North Shore Swim Series was actually my very first open-water ocean swim! Up until then, I had only done lake swims, so this was a whole new and exciting experience for me.

This summer you made a return to swimming after an extended break. What exactly happened that kept you out of the water?

Two years ago, I underwent major spinal reconstruction surgery for scoliosis. I swam most of my life with a 45–50 degree curve, but after retiring from college swimming, my curve progressed significantly, and I required a spinal fusion from T4–L4; essentially my entire spine. Recovery meant relearning everything: brushing my teeth, walking, and slowly regaining strength. It was especially tough mentally, since I was used to training as a high-level athlete.

Having to relearn the basics after a surgery like this sounds like an insurmountable task. How were you able to accomplish this and eventually get back into the water?

I began physical therapy right after surgery, but for the first six months I was not allowed to bend, twist, or lift anything. During that time, most of my activity was walking and gentle PT exercises to regain basic mobility. At about six months post-op, I eased back into the pool; though it felt more like floating than swimming. At first, it was just kicking on my back with a noodle and my arms at my sides. From there, I worked up to using a kickboard facedown with a snorkel, slowly building confidence.

By about eight months, I could swim around 2,000 yards of freestyle and backstroke. At the one-year mark, I was able to incorporate the other strokes, add interval sets, and even start training with my masters team a couple of times each week. For freestyle, I relied heavily on a snorkel since rotating to breathe was still difficult.

By about a year and a half post-op, I set a new goal: to complete an open-water swim. I knew I’d have to master side breathing and sighting, which was particularly challenging given my limited spinal mobility. I added side breathing gradually into my workouts and worked with my PTs on the mechanics of sighting. With my limited neck range of motion, I first practiced the movement while lying facedown on land before trying it in the water.

To test myself, I attempted a short lake swim. It went well, so I signed up for the North Shore Swim Series. At first, sighting in open water caused some discomfort because it was so new for my body, but with patience and practice I adapted. Before this summer, I had only been a pool swimmer, but training in Hawaii changed everything. I swam with the Salty Swim Club and began doing ocean swims with friends. By the end of the summer, I had not only finished JACO Chun’s to Waimea Swim but also discovered a whole new love for open-water swimming. Looking back now, swimming has become one of my greatest tools for both recovery and pain management.

In the JACO Chun’s to Waimea Swim, you placed 2nd Female in your age group. Tell us about that experience…what was it like being back in the water and placing in the top 3? 

This race was one of the best experiences of my life! Swimming in such a stunning environment, surrounded by fish and even turtles, was incredible. My only goal going in was to enjoy the moment and be proud of making it to the start line, considering how much I’ve been through the past two years. To place in the top three was just the icing on the cake. I spent the whole race feeling grateful, proud, and amazed at how far I’ve come.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in participating in the series for the first time? 

Go for it! I was nervous too, but you’re not alone out there. Swimming with a friend made the experience even more fun and helped calm the nerves. My advice would be: bring a friend, trust your training, and just enjoy the beauty of the swim.

The series has become an annual North Shore tradition amongst the open water community. What role do you feel the community plays in upholding this tradition each summer?

The community is really what makes this series so special. In the masters swimming world especially, I heard about this event from nearly everyone; it’s something people look forward to each year. The series gives athletes a goal to train toward, but it’s also about coming together to celebrate health, friendship, and the joy of ocean swimming. That spirit of community is what keeps this tradition alive and thriving.

What is the most challenging AND most rewarding part of swimming in the North Shore Swim Series? 

The most challenging part for me was the anticipation. I wasn’t sure what my body would be capable of, and that uncertainty was nerve-wracking. But the most rewarding part was everything that followed: the amazing ocean conditions, the friendships formed, and discovering a new love for ocean swimming.

What’s next for you when it comes to swimming? Anything else you’d like to share? 

I plan to keep swimming with my masters team, both for fun and to keep my spine strong and healthy. I definitely want to come back for more North Shore swims.

About the North Shore Swim Series: