Hank Wise is the reigning King of the Catalina Channel from Long Beach, California. He swims, surfs, sails, dives, paddles, kayaks, rows, bodysurfs, teaches, and coaches kids with a boundless, infectious joy.
His career across the 32.3 km Catalina Channel includes the following solo and relay crossings:
- October 2010: from Catalina Island to the mainland in 8 hours 7 minutes 3 seconds at the age of 42
- June 2015 from the mainland to Catalina Island in 8 hours 7 minutes 37 minutes at the age of 47
- October 2011: on the Long Beach Swim Focus Catalina Relay that set the Catalina Channel record of 6 hours 53 minutes
- October 2015: from Catalina Island to the mainland in 10 hours 56 minutes at the age of 47
- November 2016: from Catalina Island to the mainland in 8 hours 20 minutes at the age of 48
- October 2017: from Catalina Island to the mainland in 10 hours 14 minutes at the age of 49
- November 2017: from the mainland to Catalina Island in 10 hours 1 minute at the age of 49
- October 2018: from Catalina Island to the mainland in 7 hours 55 minutes, the fastest CM time by a male
In a recent podcast with Nick Standlea (listen here), Wise learns about eudaimonia, a Greek word literally translating to the state or condition of good spirit, often described as a combination of well-being, happiness and flourishing. In the podcast, he talks about his philosophy of raising his son Fox, waking up early, and described his coaching concept called the Five S’s:
- School
- Sports
- Spirit
- Social
- Self
To learn more about Wise’s Rocket Fish team, visit here, where Wise has the following saying:
“We are the Rocket Fish with tight routines,
Love and respect as we go. We have aloha spirit and we let it flow.
But if you want to race, do not hesitate,
Step up to the blocks and let us devastate.
We styling, smiling, and freestyling.”
To learn more about Wise on Instagram (@dolphinboy), visit here.
© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shore“