Swim across Catalina Channel, California

Add to My List Check Off

An open water swim that includes the entire distance from coastal Southern California to Santa Catalina Island, covering approximately 20 statutory miles in each direction is among the world’s most popular open water crossings. The swim is also thought of as one of the most challenging with sharks, kelp beds, low water temperatures and tricky winds all to be considered. While one way crossings are the norm with starts on either the mainland or on Santa Catalina Island, quite a few swimmers successfully complete “doubles” and the occasional marathon swimmer stacks 2 round trips that add up to about 100 miles of swimming once the effects of the current are taken into account. The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation (CCSF) is the sanctioning body for Catalina Channel crossings. The Federation publishes regulations for officially recognized swims that include the required use of an official observer and support boat. Relays are another popular method for channel crossings with each member of the relay team spending an alternating hour at each turn in the water. Along with the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and Crossing the English Channel, successfully crossing the Catalina Channel is included as a component of open water swimming’s Triple Crown. Include a Swim Across the Catalina Channel on your list if you are an Open Water Swimming enthusiast. Consider combining this challenge with your trip of a lifetime to Southern California and create some memories you can share with family and friends for years to come.

Write a Review

No Ratings Yet

Flag as inappropriate ›