Old Is Nothing New For Catalina Channel Swimmers
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. 84-year-old Don Baker, 80-year-old Dr. Bill Spore, 81-year-old Dave Radcliffe, 84-year-old Graham Johnston, 82-year-old Bob Best, 85-year-old Robert Beach, and 82-year-old Norm Stupfel demonstrated the confidence, calm and capabilities of veteran swimmers in the water.
While their 12 hour 15 minute crossing of the Catalina Channel on August 20th drew local raves and garnered national media attention, The Old Men and the Sea Relay simply and spectacularly went about their business in the relatively calm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
The octogenarian relay, supported by kayaker Claudia Rose, paddle boarder Kevin Eslinger, and observers Paula Selby and Michelle Macy, had things under control as they gradually made their way from Doctor’s Cove on Santa Catalina Island to Portuguese Bend in Rancho Palos Verdes on the California mainland.
The team members are outstanding examples of a healthy lifestyle augmented by the physical and mental benefits of swimming.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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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