Diana Nyad is in the water, swimming toward Florida

Nyad, the KCRW columnist and extreme swimmer, played "Reveille" on a bugle then at 4:45 p.m. L.A. time plunged into a Havana marina to begin swimming from Cuba to Florida. The plan is to make the 103-mile crossing in about 60 hours, escorted by a team of supporters, guides and shark repellers. She is 61 but says she's in the prime of her athletic life.

Previously on LA Observed:
Diana Nyad getting ready to try again
Diana Nyad back in town: no swim this year