The Mermaids joined with three “mermen” to swim across the 22-mile Catalina Channel from Cabrillo Beach (San Pedro, California) to Long Point (Catalina, California) on January 15, 2008. The distance was swum in 12 hours, 0 minutes, 40 seconds.
The six-person team for the mixed 3/3 relay included Alexia Nalewaik (Pasadena, California), Diana Corbin (Beltsville, Maryland), Don VanCleve (Culver City, California), Davina Walker (San Diego, California), David Palomino (La Jolla, California), and Greg Farrier (San Clemente, California).
Although Catalina crossings are typically swum between the months of July and September, when the water is significantly warmer, this team was well prepared for water temperatures that varied from 53 to 55.6 degrees. In accordance with CCSF rules, each team member wore only a swimsuit, cap, goggles and earplugs. With very little wind and a nice sunny day, conditions were ideal for the crossing. The team was accompanied at times by marine life during the swim, including dolphins, sea lions, and large purple-striped jellyfish. However, the highlight of the day was a pod of fin whales that surfaced alongside the swimmers and circled the boat for approximately two hours.
The relay commemorates the first successful Catalina Channel swim, 81 years ago. William Wrigley, Jr. sponsored a competition on January 15, 1927, with a $25,000 purse to the winner. Of the 102 swimmers who entered the race, only one entrant (George Young) completed the crossing. The 1927 Wrigley Ocean Marathon swim began a long history of Channel swimming in the United States.
The Mermaids is a squad of eleven female swimmers from across the United States who excel at long-distance swimming, co-captained by Alexia Nalewaik and Claudia Rose. Their intent is to find interesting stretches of water to cross, some of which have never before been swum. Other events scheduled for the Mermaids this year include a relay from Coronado to La Jolla Cove in April, a relay from bridge to bridge in San Francisco in May, and a relay at Pennock Island, Alaska in August.
Female WH2O members are encouraged to contact Alexia at alexia.nalewaik@mossadams.com or (213) 399-1373 to participate in future ocean swims.
