Catalina Channel

Between the island of Santa Catalina and the California coast, south of Los Angeles, the Catalina Channel measures 32.0 km (19.9 mi) between the stretches of coast where one starts and finishes: this is the shortest distance, measured by us along the coastline, between the northwest coast of the island and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The federation that ratifies the crossings speaks of «a little over 20 miles» at the narrowest point. The correct name of the stretch of sea is the San Pedro Channel.

Where you start, where you finish

The classic crossing goes from the island to the coast. The typical start is Doctor's Cove, on the northwest coast of the island; the swimmer starts from the natural shore and must exit the water on the opposite coast. On the mainland, one arrives just south of Point Vicente, which the federation indicates as a good point to start or finish, or further east, towards Terranea and Abalone Cove^5. People also swim in the opposite direction, from the coast to the island, and there are round-trip crossings: these are distinct routes, with their own rankings.

At night

Almost all Catalina crossings start at midnight to avoid the wind that picks up in the afternoon: the boat takes the swimmer to the island in two hours in the evening, and the crossing finishes the next day^1. For the fastest swimmers, almost the entire swim takes place in the dark. The wind usually comes from the west and pushes the boat towards the east: those who navigate by sight end up on a curved route, and the federation requires GPS and a position fix every half hour. The currents are unpredictable and can be strong; most crossings are done during neap tides.

The water

The water in the channel ranges from 14 to 22 °C (57.2 to 71.6 °F). In the last three miles towards the coast, it can drop by 5 °C (9 °F), and hypothermia is a frequent cause for withdrawal. Near the island, the water is warmer, and it is colder in the morning than in the afternoon. Crossings are concentrated between July and October, with August and September leading, but they are done in almost every month.

The rules

No artificial aids: grease, goggles, one cap, and a swimsuit; nothing that retains heat or aids buoyancy. No wetsuits, and no watches or devices that provide time, pace, or route. No one may touch the swimmer to support them. The time runs from when one enters the water until one exits on the opposite shore. You must be at least 14 years old.

Every crossing has at least two federation observers on board: one of them alone has the responsibility for timing and rules, and may cancel the swim^8. The navigator must have a Coast Guard license. The federation decides whether to ratify based on the observer's log.

Who ratifies it

The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation was born between 1980 and 1981 from a group of swimmers, coaches, and navigators; its rules were ratified in January 1981, with Penny Lee Dean as president. Before then, crossings were verified on board by officials from the Amateur Athletic Union; all those swims before 1981 are accepted as official. The federation's register starts from the 1927 race and is the source of the rankings on this page.