I KAYAK 4 U
Full Service Support for the Open Water Swimmer, Triple Crown and Open Water Races
bethbarnes@ikayak4u.com
ESCORT KAYAKER
(562) 413-3583
In Memory:
Francis "Fran" Crippen
Catalina Channel has welcomed many swimmers since the first challenge in 1927. Each swimmer is unique and each swim is a personal and epic journey.
You are a lone swimmer, but you will never be alone.
Long Beach, California is the ideal location to spend the last few days of training before your Catalina Channel swim or your pursuit of another jewel in your Open Water Swimming Triple Crown. Central to many local open water swims, the area offers varying water temperatures and conditions from calm bays to rolling ocean swells and local currents. The Southern California coastal waters give the open water swimmer the chance to continue endurance training, to taper or to simply acclimatize.
At IKayak4U, we understand that the Catalina Channel swim could be the ultimate, single challenge of your open water swimming career or it may be part of your Triple Crown efforts. No matter which it is, IKayak4U will provide the ultimate kayak, operational and safety support.
Beth Barnes, owner/operator of IKayak4U, is a native Long Beach resident and experienced ocean kayaker. IKayak4U offers support to open water swimmers including supply and service information and Cobra kayak rental and support to Catalina Channel/Triple Crown swimmers and their crews that only a local can provide. IKayak4U understands that the swim is the ultimate focus. Beth Barnes of IKayak4U is dedicated to ensuring that your Catalina Channel Swim or open water races are memorable and hassle free.
A warm welcome to Long Beach and best wishes for a happy, safe and successful crossing
2010 Catalina Channel Swim Federation Crossings
(escorted by Beth Barnes)
07/19/10 David Barra, High Falls, NY* 15 hours 57 minutes
08/06/10 Jim Barber, Indianapolis, IN* 8 hours 43 minutes
08/06/10 Victorian Rian, Indianapolis, IN 8 hours 43 minutes
08/15/10 Mike Miller, Charlotte, NC abandoned (6.5 hours)**
8/30/10 Steve Wargo, Cincinatti, OH abandoned (2 hours)**
09/13/10 Penny Palfrey, Townsville, AUST* 10 hours 36 minutes
09/14/10 Chris Palfrey, Townsville, AUST abandoned (2 hours)**
09/21/10 Ron Collins, Tampa, FL abandoned (8 hours 35 min)**
09/28/10 Natalie Merrow, Long Beach, CA 13 hours 50 minutes
09/29/10 Jason Lassen, Portland, OR
(breaststroke world record) 15 hours 59 minutes
09/30/10 Greg O’Connor, Boston, MA 9 hours 26 minutes
10/01/10 Brooks Richardson, Bend, OR 11 hours 26 minutes
*Triple Crown Swimmers: English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
**Abandoned due to frigid water
2011 Catalina Channel Swim Federation Crossings
(escorted by Beth Barnes)
7/20/11 Mike Miller, Charlotte, North Carolina 12 hours 45 minutes
8/3/11 Darren Miller, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 9 hours 15 minutes 33 secs
9/14/11 Mo Siegel, New York City 13 hours 08 minutes 55 secs*
10/10/11 Amanda Hunt, Australia (Chicago) Abandoned
10/11/11 Aquaboomers Relay, Los Angeles 8 hours 08 minutes
*Triple Crown Swimmer: English Channel, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
