Carol Wortman On A Summer Day In Southern California
Courtesy of the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation (CCSF).
Catalina Channel one-way crossings begin in the darkness at night when the conditions tend to be calm and with reduced winds.·
As the sun begins to rise over the horizon, lightness pierces the darkness and soon gives way to the morning dawn.
But this year, the typical June Gloom in Southern California has extended to mid-July and the thick marine layer hangs over the Pacific Ocean and shoreline areas. From Catalina Island, the mainland remains unseen until lightness appears and the marine layer lifts.
June (and now July) Gloom is a Southern California weather pattern that results in cloudy, overcast skies with cooler temperatures caused by the marine layer effect common to the West Coast that is enhanced over the Catalina Channel. The phenomenon can be disorienting and disappointing to visitors who do not expect cool temperatures, clouds, and fog along the coast, especially in July when the rest of inland California is roasting in heat.
But all of that meteorological phenomena did not bother Carol Wortman of Annapolis, Maryland who was all business. She completed a 32.3 km Catalina Channel crossing from Santa Catalina Island to the Southern California mainland in 13 hours 32 minutes.
Paula Selby of the CCSF reported, “Carol had cloudy skies with calm seas, and water temperatures ranging from 66°F (18.8°C) around Catalina to 62°F (16.6°C0 at the mainland. Dolphins swam with Carol and provided encouraging squeaks and clicks. Two whales also showed up one of which breached.
Carol was supported by Denis Crean and Tom Hull. [shown above]. Sibling duo Robin and Roxanne Hipolito were on board the Pacific Moon as official CCSF observers.”
