Important Alterations to the CCSF Rules

New Safety Measures for Swimmers and Support Crew
The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation rules have been tweaked. We encourage every swimmer, kayaker, and supporter to visit the page and become acquainted with them. We feel it’s important — for everyone’s safety — to make a few significant changes to the CCSF rules. Please make note:
* The age limit for support crew on any swim is now 14 years old. CCSF swimmers with young family members will need to make arrangements so that children under 14 can cheer from the shore.
* A companion swimmer is allowed in the water for a total of 3-hours in 1-hour increments. Under these restrictions, the maximum time of a pace swim is 60-minutes. Further, that particular pace swimmer may join the CCSF swimmer for a total of 3 hours. The CCSF swimmer can opt for multiple pacers which could extend, if staggered properly, for the entire channel crossing.
* CCSF application packets including medical certificate, payment of fees, membership dues, signed waiver forms, swim summary, and ‘plan your swim’ is due at least 60 days before the scheduled swim date. The CCSF will not process an incomplete application.
Safety Training Sessions on May 1st & 7th
CPR and First Aid Classes for San Diego & Los Angeles
Two observer training sessions are planned. John York will host one in Los Angeles on Saturday May 7th. Carol Sing hosts the San Diego safety event on Sunday May 1st. We’ve scheduled two dates in Southern California to make it more convenient in terms of travel. Important details for attendees:
* Email Paula Selby which session you’ll attend
* 9 am start for the CPR-First Aid-AED session
* After lunch will be the CCSF observer course (until 4pm)
* New safety procedures and CCSF rules will be discussed
* Bring a copy of your USMS and/or USA Swimming membership card
* Bring your calendar to schedule dates you can observe

In July, David Clark will conduct on-the-water paddle escort classes specifically designed for long distance swimmers.
Bald Eagle Nests on Catalina Island
Webcams Allows You to Watch Eagle Hatchlings
The non-profit “Institute of Wildlife Studies” has established on Catalina Island 24-hour webcams which are focused on Bald Eagle nests. One at Two Harbors and the other at the West End. Two Harbors Nest In recent weeks, the Bald Eagles laid eggs, which are due to hatch at the end of this month. Fledglings won’t leave the nest until the summer.
Viewing a Bald Eagle on a computer screen can distort their size. These majestic birds grow to about the size of a house cat with huge wingspan. The nests are massive: up to 9-feet across. The “Institute of Wildlife Studies” says Bald Eagles hunt other birds and small animals swimming in the sea… Presumably marathon swimmers are not on the menu.
‘Shedding for the Wedding’ at Terranea
TV Show Taping Occurred During CCSF Swimmer’s Finish
A TV programming note: Tonight’s episode (in the United States) of “Shedding for the Wedding” takes place at Terranea Resort. In fact, the [12]scenes feature the finish beach for so many Catalina Channel swimmers. Last October, Jason Lassen interrupted the taping as he completed his record-setting breaststroke crossing. The director of “Shedding for the Wedding” got angry as Jason and his escort crew approached the beach. He was in the same frame as the action on the beach. The filming had to stop. But intuition by one crew member told him they were witnessing something special. The TV crew, the contestants, and even the director lined the beach to cheer. Jason finished to a standing ovation.
Afterward, he found the scene ironic. He finished on a beach with contestants trying to lose weight, after Jason spent all summer trying to pack it on as insulation for his 16-hour Catalina swim.
Flashback: John Olguin Escorts Swims
‘Mr San Pedro’ Had Rich History in Catalina Channel
You could never forget meeting John Olguin. Dubbed “Mr San Pedro” for his decades of service to the community, he passed away on New Year’s Day. His legacy lives on at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, where he served as director until his John Olguin retirement.
John spent years as the Cabrillo Beach Lifeguard Captain. He was part of the escort team for King Benny Nawahi’s 1946 Catalina Channel crossing, as well as Greta Andersen’s historic double-crossing in 1958. As a young boy, he was at the Wrigley Ocean Marathon Swim, where one of his relatives sponsored a competitor.
He and his wife Muriel celebrated their anniversaries by oaring their 15-foot rowboat to Catalina Island. He developed marine biology lessons for children and Whale Watch tours in the Channel. Upon John’s passing, his nephew wrote: “As whales dive, they often leave a footprint on the surface. It slowly spreads across the surface and gradually blends until it is indiscernible, a trace of a leviathan who can reach great depths and travel long distances. John was a great soul with a big heart that traveled far, reached great depths, and whose influence will be carried on in the hearts of people everywhere.”