Catalina Channel

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.

I'm pretty sure Gary Emich has swum it.

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

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.

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

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

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....

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

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.

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.