Marathon Swims Take A Long Time
The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation (CCSF) updated its archives after a rigorous review of evidence that proved channel crossings over 50 years ago.In its February 2012 newsletter, Forrest Nelson and his colleagues on the CCSF board of directors announced their recent research met the exacting criteria of Catalina Channel crossings that the CCSF requires of every swim.
“The CCSF is pleased to announce four ‘new’ swims to the list of our legitimate crossings,” writes the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation, bringing the total number of Catalina Channel swimmers to 227.
• Leo Vigil of Cuba, July 22nd 1957 in 17 hours 14 minutes
• Stewart Evans, August 26th, 1959 in 20 hours 55 minutes
• Greta Andersen, October 16th 1959 in 11 hours 7 minutes
• Isaac Papke, June 30th 1963 in 12 hours 45 minutes
Leo, Stewart, Greta and Isaac had all proven their abilities to swim marathon distances in both warm and cold waters and with marine life … and their exploits in the Catalina Channel are well-deservedly recognized by the official governing body.
Interestingly enough, each had swum with sharks in their marathon swimming careers: Stewart and Isaac in their Farallon Islands swims, Greta in her Molokai Channel attempt, and Leo with his teammates in a 1950 attempt across the Florida Straits.
Courageous, daring, dashing exploits by heroes and heroines of marathon swimming’s past.
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.
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