Scott Zornig, president of Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association reminds the most seriously minded marathon swimmers that the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association represents seven swims, islands and distances for solo swimmers and relays that all present slightly different challenges in beautiful settings, just north of Los Angeles.

“These swims are more difficult swims than the Catalina Channel due to the wind and water conditions. The Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands are closer to shore than Catalina Island, but it is hard to find a good day to do a swim.”

This is a summary of the swims that have been successfully completed to date:

• Anacapa Island to mainland (12.4 miles): 19 solo swims
• Santa Cruz Island to mainland (19 miles): 7 solo swims and 1 relay
• San Miguel Island to mainland (25.3 miles): 1 solo swim
• Santa Rosa Island to mainland (27.4 miles): 1 solo swim
• Santa Barbara Island to mainland (37.5 miles): 1 solo and 2 relays
• San Clemente Island to mainland (48.9 miles): no solo swims and 1 relay
• San Nicholas Island to mainland (60 miles): no solo or relay swims

All of these Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association swims are eligible to enter in the new World Swimming Majors, an online global ranking system for marathon swimmers. The World Swimming Majors will go live next week on Open Water Source.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones