Christmas Channel Crossing By Fabulous Forrest
Southern Californian Forrest Nelson completed an unprecedented December crossing of the Catalina Channel yesterday in 9 hours and 21 minutes under great conditions.Despite a typically cool water temperature 59-61°F (15°C) for December, Forrest swam over an hour faster than his 2004 Catalina swim of 10 hours and 35 minutes.
Besides his two Catalina Channel swims, Forrest has completed the English Channel in 10:33 in 2005, the Catalina Channel in 10:35 in 2004, the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in 9:41 in 2007, the Molokai Channel in 15:59 in 2006, the Cook Strait in 2008 in 11:56 and the 24-mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim in 2005 in 10:21.
Gentleman Forrest created his quick time on some great conditions (low winds) and beneficial surface currents (see here), “I started at dawn with an experienced crew, which kept the re-fueling breaks short and sweet. Plus, you can’t shower enough praise on an excellent support during a marathon event.”
His legend grows.
Photo of Forrest by Cat Moore.
Copyright © 2012 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. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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