Nighttrain228 Alert: When Grace van der Byl started the Nighttrain228 relay precisely at 3 pm today, there was a slight wind blowing across the Pacific Ocean.
The afternoon winds were relatively mild. Nothing too strong and typically steady.
And then, as expected, the unexpected happened.
Blair Cannon reports from the Sequel, the escort boat of the Night Train Swimmers, “We’re 2 hours in and just got word of incoming gale force winds (50 mph+) in the outer waters prompting us to adjust the course immediately and head due south.”
In a statement, Cannon reassured the fans and followers of the Nighttrain228, “The total distance will not be compromised.”
Photos show Grace van der Byl on the beach at Gaviota State Beach, 228 miles from the finish. Follow the Night Train Swimmers here on their live tracking.
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.