202 miles of rough cold-water swimming was the goal of Ventura Deep Six, a relay of six swimmers from Ventura who swam from Central California to San Diego over a non-stop 4-day swim.

Ventura Deep Six was honored at the United Nations as the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.

Dr. John Chung and Tom Ball represented themselves and their teammates Kurtis Baron, Jim McConica, Jim Neitz and Mike Shaffer – each of whom overcame intense fog, cold water that got as low as 13°C (56°F), large ocean swells, tremendous chop for four straight days non-stop swimming among gigantic pods of playful dolphin and flesh-eating fish.

The 4-day, 5-hour effort, including the logistical planning in organizing an escort flotilla and a 135-foot mother ship, was representatives of all the heroes and heroines in the open water water.

But their efforts truly stood out for their uniqueness and sustained difficulty or commitment.

The six were honored because they (1) embody the spirit of open water swimming, (2) possess the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance that open water swimmers are known for, and (3) demonstrated some of the most impressive open water swimming performances of the year.

Photos courtesy of Skip Storch.

Copyright © 2011 by World Open Water Swimming Association