On Friday 25th September I (Penny) became the first person to swim solo from the tiny Island of Santa Barbara to Point Vincente on the Californian coast.

The distance had been swum only twice before by two relay teams of men. The first was a team of 6 men who swam in one hour rotations, it took them 18 hours and 45 minutes to cover the distance, last year 2 men swam in 3 hour rotations it took them more than 33 hours to complete the 40+ mile or 64 kilometer distance.

I am delighted with my swim in a time of 17 hours 53 minutes. I was fortunate to have great weather conditions during my swim and an amazing support team. I always say that while marathon swimming is an individual sport it is always a team effort, I truly thank everyone involved, some of whom had never heard of me before but gave up two days to help in this epic swim. Of course there are one or two special thanks which this time must go to Anne Cleveland and Forrest Nelson, also my boat captain of the Outrider, John Pittman. We had a great team and it was an awesome effort from everyone involved. I thank you all.

I’ll post a few photos here, but check the photo gallery for more. ~ Penny

Great write up by Steve Munatones, Pics by Anne Cleveland:
http://www.10kswimmer.com/2009/09/penny-palfrey-escorted-to-history.html

 

The Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Penny Palfrey Escorted To History

 Sunday 20th September.

Catalina Island - Best Day so far!

I had the walk along Long Beach to get me to the bus stop in time down pat. There was a big triathlon going on so lots to look at along the way.
Trip over to Catalina was pleasant with lots of dolphins around the boat close to the Catalina Island coast.
I did my one hour swim, at Lovers Cove which had sea weed, some ocean surge and lots of fish life thanks to the tourist boats that feed them by the hour so it felt like the real thing. (no need to break it into two swims this trip the water isn’t cold enough to worry about that) the water was clear, cooler than on the coast but even I couldn’t say it was cold.
Then I walked around the harbour town of Avalon and around a couple of bays with an ice cream along the way, where I found a nice beach with bar service so had a cool soda while relaxing on the sand by the sea, it was good.
Time to go back to the boat.

I decide to go straight to dinner and found a Mexican restaurant, then to top a successful day I found a home made chocolate shop on my way home.

Saturday 19th September.

I’m feeling that I need to get to cooler water, since the water close to the coast here is very warm. Tried to get a ferry to Catalina Island but they’re full for today so booked myself on an early one for tomorrow. Settled for a swim close to the apartment at Long Beach.

Friday 18th September.

Spent quite some time trying to acquaint myself with the local transport system. Eventually finding my way to Seal Beach for a very pleasant training swim, deciding that when Chris arrives on Monday we should hire a car to get us around.

Thursday 17th September.

Always a long day from Australia. Wake up at 3.50 am up and off to Townsville airport, then the train to the Brisbane international airport before a 13 hour flight to Los Angeles arriving at 7 am, yes it’s still Thursday September 17! Settled into my apartment at Long Beach and ready for a loosen up swim close by.

Nice evening Sun set.