Colby Dimsdale and Matthew McGillicuddy started their tandem crossing of the Molokai Channel together and swimming very well despite the typically massive Pacific Ocean swells. In fact, they were on record pace by mid-channel.

Training partner Dr. Steve Minaglia says, “The moon was down and the tides were good, so they left Molokai at 3:00 am. Ultimately, Matt exited so Colby had a shot at breaking Mányoki Attila‘s record of 12 hours 2 minutes.

The conditions were tough, but he still finished in a good time of 13 hours 34 minutes.

Colby is a rising star, a 21-year-old pre-med student.”

Dimsdale [shown below with local training partners in Honolulu] was on record pace through the first 20 miles, but he hit a head current with a few miles to go off Makapu’u on Oahu.

Years ago in high school, Dimsdale described himself as a thrill seeker, “I have always been game to try or go someplace new. The idea that something unknown to me always sparks enough curiosity in my head to look into it. I would say with everything that I have done I have enjoyed it all to the fullest extent.

Dimsdale has a great future ahead of him, both on dryland and in the ocean.

© Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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