The Athlete
My Swims & Challenges
Team Endure started with my own finish lines. This is the log behind the organization — every channel crossing, every failed attempt, and every race still ahead of me.
The Seven Spires
The Channels
Seven of the world's most challenging open water crossings. 123.1 total miles of open ocean.
Swim Log
Catalina Channel
The first crossing. 20.2 miles from Catalina Island to the Southern California mainland.
17h 11m
Swim Time
20.2 mi
Distance
64°F
Water Temp
Moderate Swell
Conditions
My first swim, the Catalina crossing, started on a dark night. Most of the team was sleeping below, but I was too nervous to sleep and that I'd get seasick, and two, I just had too many nerves, so I watched videos to pump myself up before swimming.
We started a couple hours before midnight and everything went pretty smooth, except I took in way too much sodium so my stomach was off by hour 2. I didn't know it at the time, but the first 3 hours I barely moved and was pacing extremely slow. Luckily hour 4 came along and I started swimming better, or I lost what little current there was going against me.
The swim was pretty good. The only issue would probably be my best brother messing up the timing on my feeds — I remember just thinking to myself, I know it's been longer than 30 minutes. He's the best.
The only other issue is that when you see land you think you're almost done, but you're not. You're still 3–4 miles out, and it takes forever while you watch the land never get closer until you're a half mile away.
The boat crew, coach, and observers were all amazing people who did great, and I appreciate them so much.
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