Catalina Channel

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:41:48 GMT

www.signonsandiego.com/.../20080725-9999-1s25fitness.html

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:57:23 GMT

That's right. In open water it's all about enjoying the swim and persevering to the finish. Times are great but the finish is goal. Every new distance is a new victory in my book. :woot:

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:05:43 GMT

I`m doing a 5 mile swim on the 3rd of August,..The Tour of the Buoys, La Jolla Swim Club. It will be the longest swim I`ve attempted....I swim slow 33 minute miles,..I just hope to finish.

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:55:17 GMT

Try this..........www.lajollacoveswimclub.org/

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:52:46 GMT

Thanks for the link Ron. Quite a resume of channel swims. :applaud: Anyone have any idea how to contact the swimmer from the article? It must really take some planning to train for a string of swims like that. Well you could pm me with your email and I can arrange it. I was the one that organized the boat (outrider) for this swim which followed mine (a shorter crossing in the same area).

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:20:07 GMT

RE: Catalina Channel

Animal — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:16:57 GMT

There is no slow in distance swimming. Just going the distance. When the records of Catalina or the English Channel are posted it is not the slowest time, but the longest time that is noted.

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:45:02 GMT

The other popular boat is the outrider. The owner learned the sport of ow swim piloting from his father. Both are great boats, I've been on (supporting) and escorted by both (Catalina solo 06, relay 08 and Anacpa Crossing of the Santa Barbara Channel last week). I've also kayaked and acted as pace swimmer off both. I would consider both boats and your needs.

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:27:58 GMT

Animal, Thanks. That's great stuff, and very helpful. Did you take your own kayaker or hook up with someone in California? How did you build relationships with local support before your swim? Pat

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:58:37 GMT

Here's the contact info for the Bottom Scratcher, capt Greg Elliot the pipes player http://bottomscratcher.com/ His day job is a dive boat. Not sure I'd ever have the cojones to do this....

RE: Catalina Channel

Animal — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:50:48 GMT

The kayakers were part of the package for the Catalina Crossing. There was an observer and three kayakers. I tried to buy dinner for them, but they refused. I did have gift cards for them. Animal

RE: Catalina Channel

Animal — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:50:00 GMT

I swam the Catalina Channel swim in 2005. My boat was Bottom Scrapers. The captain was my ideal of a sea salt. He plays the bagpipes and runs a good swim. He has he most successful number of swims. Next, ask question of your observer and kayak team. Here are some of my experiences - If you are going from Catalina Island to the California coast you will likely start at midnight. This is fine since you are swimming towards the sunlight. In August, when I made the swim I had about 6 hours of darkness and was filled with joy when the sun came up. I was about halfway at this point. But the feeling of just making it until sunrise was great Swimming over kelp beds is interesting at best, especially if something nibbles on one's feet. The first time this happened I turned around quickly and made ready to hit the shark that I knew was trying to taste me. No shark so I swam on. It happened again and I reacted the same way. I asked my kayaker what was doing this and he said it was likely a cleaning fish. My mind at ease I swam on and on. It happened a few other times but I did not react. Last, 3 miles or so from the California Coast the water turns much colder. In my case, it went from 68 degrees to 65 degrees, so the temp drop was very noticed. Another thing that happened to me that had not occurred before was that I vomited at the 3 hour mark. I had a number of 10 Km swims and an 9 mile swim before Catalina, so I am unsure what happened to me. This also occurred during my English Channel attempt in 2006. I quit after 14 hours in the water less then 3100 meters from France. Maybe nerves or saltwater and food, I am not sure. But I hear that is happens often to us Marathon Swimmers. Good Luck! Animal

RE: Catalina Channel

Rob Copeland — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:29:44 GMT

I seem to recall that Rob Copeland did this, although maybe I'm having a senior moment and making that up. Rob? -LBJI haven’t swum Catalina (yet), but it is on my short list of Marathon attempts.

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:08:00 GMT

I seem to recall that Rob Copeland did this, although maybe I'm having a senior moment and making that up. Rob? -LBJ

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:03:31 GMT

I'm pretty sure Gary Emich has swum it.

RE: Catalina Channel

Former Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:13:44 GMT

I'm sure you've looked here: http://www.swimcatalina.org/ you can find lots of useful information and a list of those who have made it. I am one of those. Also you can attend the annual brunch in november if you are a member and meet this year's crop of swimmers. Send me a pm about what information you'd like.