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Training News
September - October 2007 |
September 6, 2007:
Labor Day weekends are filled with family bar-b-qs, relaxing pool side, and enjoying a few refreshing beverages. This past weekend posed just the opposite for me. I volunteered to be on the support crew of a 6-man ocean swim relay from San Nicolas Island to the mainland of California, roughly 70 miles in a projected 40 hours. Here's the thing, San Nicolas Island houses the U.S. Navy which allows no civilian to touch the island. Along with a plethora of seals, sea lions, and elephant seals (AKA shark bait), which wouldn't concern me until I found out that there was a great white shark breading ground in the area. But the sea was calm that day...right? Nope. 6-8 foot swells with an 8 second period, mixed seas and winds reaching 35 knots.
Alright. Time out. Who decided to do this? and why did I decide to join up?
Right as the first swimmer suited up to swim, the captain called a meeting, discussing the possible outcomes if we do attempt this swim. To make a long story short, the team decided as a back up plan to circumnavigate Catalina Island (the largest of the channel islands) with less wind, swell, and sharks. We set out at 6 p.m. and with hopes of finishing under 24 hours to break the world record. Swimming through the first night was an experience in itself. This would be the first time I've kayaked next to a swimmer and also to kayaked at night. As my paddling shift came ahead, I ever so gracefully (ha) slided into the kayak and fell out into the middle of the pitch black ocean. Now, with the boat and swimmer a few hundred yards ahead, I managed to pull my water logged body back into the kayak and cruised along side of the swimmer.
After countless hours of swimming and paddling mixed with large quantities of sunscreen and turkey sandwiches, we arrived at our destination. And in under 24 hours! a new world record.
I learned so much this weekend on what exactly goes into an ocean swim. Why it's always good to have a back up plan. A crew member said "if you wanted a ride, go to Disneyland...this is an adventure." The group of us differed so much from stages of life but one thing we did share that weekend.
"Once we stop taking risks...that's when we start going down hill."
-Laird Hamilton
September 13, 2007:
Pacific Ocean Water Temp- 61 degrees.
The ocean is cold to the point where you jump in and your skin burns. Training has remained steady with intermittent pool workouts and ocean swims. About a week ago I received news that I will be unable to attempt the English Channel next summer. The boats and pilots are booked, possibly through 2009. I was not happy.
The good news is I have found a replacement, Catalina Island Crossing (http://swimcatalina.org)
Pros: The crossing is the same length, It's right in my backyard, and it's a bit warmer.
Cons: Leave the jellyfish, add some sharks.
If anyone is looking for a reason to visit California, I hope to see you next summer.
"It's more about the journey than the destination..."
October 14, 2007:
Flipper. The cuddly, cute, tv-star dolphin that we all have grown to love has skewed my images about ocean wildlife. Dolphins are big (like volkswagen size), really fast in the water and not afraid of you. This has been brought to my attention about a week ago when I was swimming in Huntington Beach. Pods of dolphins began following me as I swam north away from the pier. As I turned around and headed back toward the pier I could still hear them talking. I looked over at Brian and he said "Dude, they're still here, like 5 feet away." At this point there was nothing I could do except keep swimming. Then one swam under me, flipped over to make eye contact, and kept on going by. I'm not gonna lie, that type of stuff freaks me out. Even though I love doing it, Ocean swimming makes me feel so vulnerable.
Fun Facts
Ocean Temp- High 50s
Weight gained since I've been here- 12 pounds
Times pulled over by the coast guard for swimming in rough conditions- 1
Seeing Catalina Island everyday is a constant reminder of what I am up against, why I am doing this, and how I need to reach my goal.
"It has to start somewhere, It has to start some time. What better place than here...What better time than now"
October 25, 2007:
Attacking ALS from Land and Sea
This past Saturday morning, I recharged my motivational batteries. As the sun rose, people from all over Southern California poured into a small park in Irvine where the 2007 walk to D-feet ALS was held. My first time as a participant, the walk was more like a party than a fundraising event. Thousands of amazing human beings joined up to walk and find a cure for ALS. Team Swim the Channel comprised of Brian Defrancesco, Scott Alexander, Alex Ward and myself made up just a small fraction of the countless teams there to fight for a cure. Meeting with individuals and families who have been afflicted by this disease has once again solidified the reason that I undertook swimming the channel in the first place. I have remember their faces and will use them as fuel while training.
I've included a picture of a 50 foot whale that recently washed up in Huntington Beach. I'm glad I did not encounter that during a swim.
 
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