The Big Blue
Catalina Channel swimmers this season are facing historically low water temperatures (sub-59°F or 15°C in many cases) and a growing number of shark sightings at various points, but they are also potentially treated to other unusual sights en route between Santa Catalina Island and the California mainland: the largest creatures on Earth, the blue whales.An unusually large number of blue whales off the Southern California coastline is providing swimmers and crews with opportunities to see these magnificent mammals – up to 30 meters in length – as well as fin whales – up close.
“A year ago, we were lucky to see three or four blue whales per [whale-watching] trip,” said Michelle Sousa, senior biologist at the Aquarium of the Pacific, to the Los Angeles Times. “Now we’re seeing up to 15 per trip, along with a few fin whales thrown in for good measure.”
Photo by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration shows one blue whale off the Southern California coast.
Copyright © 2010 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
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