Catalina: Class of 2014
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San Francisco, CACharter Member
Hi, folks! Opening a thread for those of us planning a Catalina crossing in 2014 - @dc_in_sf and myself and possibly others on the forum - to share training plans, tips, and get good advice (and possibly volunteer crew members!) from experienced folks who have done it.
[Admin edit 3/4/2014]
A message from CCSF President Forrest Nelson:
CCSF encourages swimmers and supporters to utilize the MSF in sharing their wisdom and their experiences in the Catalina Channel.
Inquiries with respect to CCSF policies & procedures are best directed to info@SwimCatalina.org with additional resources at www.SwimCatalina.org
[Admin edit 3/4/2014]
A message from CCSF President Forrest Nelson:
CCSF encourages swimmers and supporters to utilize the MSF in sharing their wisdom and their experiences in the Catalina Channel.
Inquiries with respect to CCSF policies & procedures are best directed to info@SwimCatalina.org with additional resources at www.SwimCatalina.org
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http://notdrowningswimming.com - open water adventures of a very ordinary swimmer
That's also the primary reason for two Observers.
So, as minimum:
One crew chief, handling your feeds, equip, shifts, etc.
One crew member helping with feeds, kayaker(s), etc.
One kayaker, though that's a long duty for only one.
Ideal:
One crew chief
2-3 crew members to take shifts, say 2-3 hours.
2 kayakers, 3-4 hour shifts
CCSF has a crew/kayaker database that you can use to augment any extra crew you may need. But it still depends on people's availability, so not to be relied upon completely.
Fees vary per individual, avg around $100-150.
As for kayakers, find experienced escort kayakers (volunteer or for hire) that are from the SoCal area (2 would be best, but I had one who was with me at night and for the last few miles at the finish).
Support paddlers and crew are available via a local network organized by Neil and Grace van der Byl. Submit your request by filling out THIS FORM.
No.
Good luck, and have a great swim!
http://swimcatalina.com/images/stories/forms/2014soloccsfapp.pdf
If you are local, don't even think of hand delivering your paperwork.
:-(
1) Paperwork: When you mail in your CCSF application, use regular post. Their offices don't have someone to pick up packages, and it's a long way to their post office. Don't have anyone sign for the parcel, just have it left there. I had multiple issues with getting my paperwork out there because I had done it certified mail. If you feel uncomfortable with sending a check through the mail un-certified, they can do Western Union.
2) Crew: With swims, as with your business, let meritocracy guide your crew choice over cronyism. Yeah, your friends and family will be incredibly supportive of your swim and you want them there, but they have to be able to handle the journey and be useful. Your crew could make or break your swim. Small crews do better than big crews (less people to manage). Make sure everyone on that boat is both PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ABLE to perform their duties. If they get seasick and can't manage the condition even with meds, they'll be dead weight on the boat. If they can't handle the dark, they'll be dead weight on the boat. If they're mentally unstable, even if they're physically capable, they could cause problems and become worse than dead weight on the boat.
3) Prepare for the cold: Yeah, a good swimmer will cold acclimate and train for distance, but you need to cold acclimate over a distance. 1 hour at 60F is not the same as 6 hours at 60F. The water temperature will drop as you approach the LA coast. You can feel it coming at your fingers, and then suddenly you take a stroke and it hits you. If you're not mentally prepared for that drop, it could stop you.
4) Trust the boat: The Outrider crew is outstanding. They will not steer you wrong. Highly professional and a wicked sense of humor. They have a galley too (look this term up if you don't know it), so make sure that you don't bring on unnecessary food (haha yes I did this).
5) Consistency: Always practice with the feed you're swimming every single time. Know it. Know how much of it you need, and make sure your food preparer knows EXACTLY how you take it and have someone at that post that was unwaveringly precise. I was lucky to have such a person at that post, and that familiarity can provide confidence when you find that confidence lacking.
Send me a message if you need crew! or if you live in LA and are training for 2014.
Though you should try both for yourself.
For helping crew on someone's swim, along with posting here, you can try a couple other ways to connect with swimmers:
~ contact Neil or Grace to be added to the CCSF crew/kayaker support database,
nvanderbyl@att.net
gvanderbyl@att.net
~ around May, CCSF will have our annual Observer trainings at which time there's a preliminary swimmer schedule for us to sign up for swims.
You can either come join and be trained as Official Observer and get on a swim or swims before your swim; or utilize the list to contact the swimmers to see if they need any crew help, or perhaps if a swimmer already has crew but there's room on Outrider for one more, you could ask to simply come to observe (and help as needed).
What is the etiquette concerning nonlocal crew members? Do the swimmers usually cover the crew's travel expenses?
Yes.
You can get to San Pedro on a bus, but it's not convenient. I highly recommended renting a car. You may have pre-swim errands to run, as well.
Best place to stay is the Doubletree San Pedro. There are cheaper places, but that is the best. 2-minute car trip to the dock.
22nd Street Landing in San Pedro. There are maps/directions on http://bottomscratcher.com
Don't go to San Diego - you will miss your swim.
I don't think you should count on July 20th... the person who has the Outrider on the 19th is really slow and probably won't be finished by the 20th...
...hope I am kidding... I will do my best to finish up before your swim! Good luck!
Now I feel bad for the crew of the Outrider as they will have two very long days in a row. If you get a chance, please mention to the sharks that the next guy coming through isn't very tasty.
To Niek- thank you for the advice. I have done swimming in the dark next to a kayak for a couple of hours and will try to get out more as soon as the water warms up on in the New York area.
Getting bumped by a kayak or slapped by a paddle isn't much fun.
Choose your kayaker(s) prudently.
Key instruction (as Moe used to say): "SPREAD OUT!"
No need to be pinned between boat and kayaker...
:-)
Having had a second conversation with CCSF, in which they said they'd be requiring me to do two qualifying swims - one of 6 hours and one of 10 hours - because they don't think I have enough cold water experience, I'm seriously considering quitting the process, but will make a final decision in a couple of weeks. I have no doubt the requirement is well intended, but it is really souring me on the experience for various personal reasons.
Regardless of what I decide, please keep the good advice flowing for the other applicants! It's a big and exciting undertaking and they need your encouragement.
Just sayin....
It's not your judgment call. It's the judgment call of the Observers, the boat captain, your crew that should know you, everyone who is responsible for you and has your life in their hands.
The CCSF Board includes many veteran marathon swimmers with vast amounts of experience, both as swimmers themselves as well as Observing and crewing for many others' swims. So, it's not simply an arbitrary decision to single you out for extended qualification.
CCSF's success record is what it is because of the attention to detail for safety and support.
It's certainly an option to go the unsanctioned route. But you'll likely not find more dedicated and experienced people amongst CCSF observers and support that have proven to get swimmers across efficiently, effectively and safely.
:-)
You make a good point with expected requirements and transparency.
I think it would be beneficial to both you and CCSF to send them your feedback, as it pertains to you personally as well as how they may want to alter the information posted for everyone.
If you've already done so, let me know...as I may also address it with them as I agree with you that the potential requirement should at least be visible and understandable to anyone reading the details and considering the endeavor.
Because, it also effects those of us that are in contact with other swimmers who are considering the swim and if it's not known prior, for instance, that a "6hr and 10hr" qual swim may be necessary for anyone without the 'appropriate' cold water training ('at the discretion of the CCSF), then this will continue to happen and be frustrating to others.
caveat: CCSF did just recently revise the application packet, so perhaps it wasn't in the information you received prior to Feb 2014, when you may have started your process...?
(I haven't looked to see if it is in the 2014 info.)
Since I started posting about this, I heard privately from folks who want to remain anonymous about not-dissimilar experiences they've had with CCSF. So, in the interest of openness and transparency, I will keep you all posted as to my decision and, if I choose to do the swim anyway, how it's progressing.
Although I do observe for CCSF occasionally, I am not a member of their Board. And my own Catalina swim happened in 2011, so my insight into the application process may be somewhat dated.
Again, if in CCSF's judgment qualifying swims are required, I would have expected to know of this requirement before I sent in my application and spent considerable time and money booking the boat and preparing my training plan for the season. In my case, it would have been a decisive factor against applying.
As of now, I am still waiting to hear from my boat pilot about the possibility of swimming unsanctioned.