Category Archives: Catalina

“It is going to hurt. It is going to burn. It is going to be hard. If it isn’t hard, you aren’t trying hard enough.” — Mike Thornton, my friend Steve Walker’s 8th grade math teacher and LMYA swim coach. … Continue reading →

In 2011, I had my pelvis surgically broken to fix my right hip dysplasia. In 2012, I had my pelvis surgically broken again to correct my left hip dysplasia and started swimming again after 17 years. In August 2013, I … Continue reading →

My Catalina Channel crossing, by far my most challenging swim to date, would not have been successful without the right crew on the boat. I’m forever grateful to these guys who took care of me during my swim. It’s important … Continue reading →

Today is the 2 year anniversary of the first time that I ever swam open water. In 4 days, I’m swimming the 21 miles across the Catalina Channel. Has it really only been 2 years? It feels like a lot … Continue reading →

I’m crying in my car because I can’t believe what just happened over 14 hours 24 minutes 24 seconds. I cried after the magnitude of my 12.4 mile swim from Anacapa Island to Oxnard swim last year finally sunk in … Continue reading →

I get asked a lot why I swim the distances I swim. Most often my answer is a simple “Just because” with the occasional joke of “well it keeps me off the streets” or “what else am I going to … Continue reading →

I will get my cold water acclimation back. I will. I need to. I’ve lost it over the last few months of not swimming in my beloved Bay much due to circumstances. I’m swimming across the Catalina Channel (21 miles) … Continue reading →