Darren Miller's Catalina Channel Swim



Meet and Greet with Darren, Karen, Jim, Cindy, Marta and Anne
at Alfonso's in La Jolla after a nice Cove swim



Catalina - San Pedro:

Darren hails from Pittsburgh, PA, has already successfully crossed the English Channel and is working his way to completing the Oceans 7.

The boat trip over to Doctor's Cove on Catalina was a rough one and the temperature chilly. 

Darren's had a hard time finding crew.  I am the relief kayaker for Beth and his buddy (and whatever he needs on this trip).  His friends from college have volunteered but are inexperienced and all got sick on the way over to the start point.

I was to start my shift at 4:30am but got a knock on my bunk at 2:00.  It seems his buddy got tumbled into the sea twice and was getting cold (and sick).  I got in and lets just say I'm glad it was dark so I couldn't see what was coming at me!  The swells were really big.  Settling low into the seat of my kayak, I just rolled with what came at me.  At one feed, we started off, Darren and I, but notice the Bottom Scratcher (boat) didn't follow.  someone was yelling for us to stop, but Darren was going to get over chilled if he did, so we just swam at a slow pace till they caught up (never did find out what happened on that one).  We could see salps all around, but less than on Mike's swim. 

The sunrise was glorious and very welcome.  The swells were somewhat easier.  Either that or I was becoming accustomed to them, God forbid...where were the smooth seas of Mike's swim?

Beth got in for the last few miles and into shore, but as I attempted to get back on the lead boat, it was pitching pretty good and the platform heaved right onto my kayak and dumped me into the briny bliss....whoa!  that was a wake up call!  brrrrrr

A quick hot shower and coffee and back on deck for Darren's finish.  His buddy was planning to swim the last 1/2 mile into shore with him (with wetsuit).  The boys hit the shore and all were rejoicing in Darren's excellent time of 9hrs 15min (he averaged approx 2 miles per hour...good clip).

They walked around on shore and shortly after, Beth paddled back to the boat stating that he was not wanting to get back in the water to swim back to the boat...I personally don't blame him.  He just left everything he had in the channel and the water temp had dropped down to 58F the last 3miles of the swim.  But we needed to get him back on board (period).  Prompted by necessity, I asked the boys to launch the other kayak while I changed into my swim suit...and paddled to shore, not quite sure of a plan, but I knew I would get wet at some point.

When I reach Darren, I could see the look in his face.  He was done.  He was chilled. I asked, "so, have you boys seen a big boat around here?"  He asked if I had come to tow him back and I told him "Nope.  I'm putting your --- in this kayak and your paddling back."  And when he asked what I was going to do, I told him "well, I am a swimmer you know."  And I swam back.  The water was a temp I had not been in in a while (brrr), but the kelp was gorgeous and the fish plentiful.  Off to the side about 20yds 3 dolphin were playing and all was good.  Our swimmer was on the boat and we were homeward bound.