Marathon open water swim relay raising $ for autism now

[Neurotica]

Very cool effort by four athletes (including a former classmate of mine). They're each swimming across the Catalina Channel - each swimmer does one 22-mile leg to/from the mainland/Catalina Island (about 12 hours for each leg!). The marathon swim started yesterday at noon Pacific time. The second swimmer is in the water now, expected to reach the mainland around noon or so Pacific time.

The swim is benefitting Jay Nolan Community Services. Their mission is to "enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs."

Here's a bit on the relay from the Jay Nolan web site:

"Never in the history of open water swimming have four consecutive channel crossings been attempted anywhere in the world - until now! Four elite athletes, each swimming 22 miles in the open ocean amidst sharks, dolphins, and whales, will take on this ultimate endurance challenge for one cause - for the people of Jay Nolan Community Services."

The LA Times had a great article:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-distance-swimmers-20101002,0,2881344.story

And if you want more info on the swimmers and the effort, you can go to their web site:

www.swim22.net

[Neurotica]

1. 3rd leg (mainland-to Catalina Island) now under way

swim22.net has GPS tracking so you can see the swimmers' progress.

Entire event will end sometime tomorrow night.

Truly inspirational on a lot of different levels.