Mike Miller's Catalina Crossing

I have recently become involved with an amazing group of athletes...the marathon swimmers.  These brave and resilient people swim extreme distances in all sorts of conditions, cold ocean, huge waves, marine life and their own human frailties.  The Catalina Crossing Swimming Federation (CCSF) is a group of volunteers assigned to assist the swimmers challenge in every way for their safety and success by adhering to the rules for an authenticated crossing.

This week was my first (hopefully of many) trip with a Catalina-Crossing Swimmer.  My job was to be an assistant observer in training and relief kayaker (also my 1st time kayaking for a swimmer) for Mike Miller from the No. Carolina (and Ohio).  Mike had attempted the crossing last year (the Summer that never was).  In that attempt he became hypothermic and swam only half way or about 6.5 hours.  It must have been extremely hard for him to 'call' it and get out before finishing.  But he came back with some valuable lessons learned and this time success was his for the taking.

Along the way, we saw sea lions, sardines, jack, yellow fin, dozens of white-side dolphin, hundreds of spinner dolphin, salps, 3 separate pods of blue whales, and possible humpback whale, tankers, barges and so many other wonders of the sea.

Here are some photos of our trip:

Mike, his sis, Maureen and friends



the lanolin rub down




night swimming...an adventure in itself



nutrition feeds (warmed) every half hour



that's me providing kayak support




the Bottom Scratch in the wee hours of the morning




Dolphin play




a little over 1 nautical mile left to go




Point Vincente lighthouse



On terra firma



Bundled up for the ride back to the Bottom Scratcher




V for Victory (that or "I'll have a dos XX's)




Mike, sleeping



Paula authenticating Mike's swim time (12:44:46)





"Open Seas" Nail Polish for Mike's Swim!