CCSF News – July 2012
Impressive Launch to 2012 Catalina Season
REMINDER: The window of opportunity to apply this season is narrowing rapidly. The CCSF requires the completed application (with fees & medical forms included) at least 60 days in advance of your scheduled attempt. This 2012 season wraps in about 90-days.
Enhorabuena, Felicitaciones, Fantasktikt Bra Jobbit
In Any Language, Congratulations Swimmers on an Awesome Crossing
Thanks to the boat pilots, volunteer observers, and kayakers who’ve traveled long distances to assist the CCSF and help make the swims a success, and more importantly safe. The Federation relies on the generosity of the open water swimming community. We’re blessed to have so many dedicated members give freely of their time. Thank you.
Follow Channel Crossings at CCSF Facebook Page
Quickest Way to Read About Successful Swims in the Catalina Channel
An official list of successful swims will be published at the end of the season. This newsletter will update you on a regular basis throughout the season. Plus, the CCSF Facebook page has more immediate reports from the Channel. However, the only official listing (with correct final times) is at the Catalina Channel website. It will be finalized prior to the Annual CCSF Awards Banquet in November. Who will be in attendance? Hopefully you, and very likely the following swimmers who are commemorating a recent crossing:
Ernie Hoftyzer (Final Time 9:36, Resides in California) Ernie and his wife celebrated his swim with an eye toward enjoying the remainder of this summer together (minus the hours spent on long training swims). Congratulations Ernie for getting it done early!
LaurieJo Hall Cueto-Arreola (9:15/Indiana) LaurieJo’s crossing was accompanied by her coach and newlywed husband, who both paddled with her the entire way. It was an emotional homecoming for the Long Beach native. Remarkably, LaurieJo stopped only a handful of times during the swim to hydrate and re-fuel.
Anna-Carin Nordin (12:40/Sweden) with an eye on the Oceans Seven, she made a crossing at Gibraltar earlier this year. Anna-Carin is the first Swede to make the Catalina Channel. Fantastiskt bra jobbit = Fantastic, well done! (Anna-Carin, still in great spirits following her crossing, is pictured showing how 12-hours of saltwater chafed her tongue)
Chris Geer (9:56/Long Beach California) was nothing but efficient in swimming the Channel. At the shore, he was greeted by his parents, wife and children. Chris is passionate about open water swimming. He has a beautiful collection featuring historical photos of the luminaries in the sport. Take a peek and see George Young at Catalina in 1927, Florence Chadwick training, Greta Andersen winning English Channel races, Lynne Cox celebrating a record-setting crossing, among other celebrated marathon swimmers. (Chris Geer, pictured at Terranea Cove, reflecting on his accomplishment)
Miquel Suner (8:11/Spain) Holy smokes was that fast. Miquel made a serious run at the men’s record (starting on Catalina Island). To Miquel’s surprise, his final time ranks him #3 among the men, behind Todd Robinson and Hank Wise, and just ahead of Chad Hundeby. Not only did he complete the Catalina Channel, but he achieved the Triple Crown [Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, and English Channel]. (Miquel is pictured with CCSF official observer Anne Cleveland)
Eddie Irwin (9:39/Ireland) better known as “Steady Eddie” — for his even pace throughout the Channel — is the first swimmer from Ireland to join the Triple Crown. He is a member of the Sandycove Island Swim Club, which is producing accomplished marathon swimmers at a startling rate. We can expect to see more Sandycove swimmers making headlines this summer.
Maria Selina Moreno Pasagali (11:11/Spain) Yet another Triple Crown achievement. Selina had a huge crowd of supporters back home watching her progress via a GPS tracker on her website. (Selina, pictured following the swim and flashing her pride at completing all three Triple Crown legs).
Also worth noting, considering that three Spaniards have made Catalina this year, they made a touching tribute video to the original marathon swimmer from Spain: Montserrat Tresserras.
Team Tripod (13:16/Southern California Relays) Congratulations to the 18 swimmers who formed three relays and swam the exact same pace across the Catalina Channel. The teams started near midnight on Cabrillo Beach and swam out to Catalina Island. Cheers to Carol Sing for chaperoning the group, which featured a wide range of open water swimmers: From experienced Catalina solo swimmers to athletes who got their first taste of night swimming next to an escort boat. They were all smiles at the end, with dreams of “What’s Next?” for an open water challenge…
Few Things Surpass the Fear of Catalina at Midnight
Swimmers Never Forget Those Feelings While Standing on the Island
A line from a George Clooney film goes “You do what you’re scared to do, and gain the courage afterward– not before”.
In open water swimming, we can quote Tom Anderson, who once lead off a Catalina Channel relay and more recently raced in the United States Olympic Trials. Tom said “Whenever I look at a tough set on the board that my club coach lists, I think back to my Catalina relay start where nothing is more difficult.” Tom remembers the blackness of midnight, limited visibility, the mystery of the ocean depths, and the cold water. Tom Anderson, and every Catalina swimmer, gains tremendous courage simply by braving that midnight start.
Safety Glow Sticks are the Swimmer’s Responsibility
CCSF Takes Safety Seriously, So We Expect Every Swimmer to do the Same
Speaking of that midnight start, one of the responsibilities of every Catalina swimmer is to arrive with the proper attire and safety gear. This includes plenty of safety glow sticks, which are attached to any important item that goes into the water — most importantly, the swimmer. It’s strongly urged that you shop at a hardware or marine store for glow sticks. Shop for a brand that guarantees 12-hours of intense illumination in green-yellow. Other colors such as reds and blues disappear in the darkness. Experience has shown that it’s worth skipping the party supply stores and spending a little extra on the large & durable safety glow sticks (also available in bulk). Your observers will thank you. Plus, swimmers discover that it’s easier to navigate by sighting the larger glow sticks attached to the paddlers and kayaks.
USS Iowa Now Open to Visitors in San Pedro Harbor
Historic World War 2 Battleship Becomes Permanent Fixture on the Water
Earlier this month, the USS Iowa opened for tours. The US Navy Battleship makes a striking impression as you drive down Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. The ship is 887-feet long and is more than 100-feet at its widest, leaving barely enough room to transport through the Panama Canal. Last year, the USS Iowa was donated to the Los Angeles-based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center. It resides now in San Pedro at Berth 87.
Trivia: Largest guns on the USS Iowa could fire a weapon 24-miles– all the way across the Catalina Channel (without making a splash).
New Artisan Market: Adjacent to the 22nd Street Landing is a complex called “Crafted“. This marketplace is a refurbished port warehouse. Inside you’ll find vendors offering locally handmade jewelry, handbags, children’s clothing, art, and gourmet foods
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