Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

With 20.2 miles (32.5 km) separating Santa Catalina Island and the Southern California mainland, there are a number of landing points on the mainland – most of which present a challenge, especially to an exhausted swimmer.

There is one small stretch of sandy beach on the elegant Terranea Resort that presents a nice landing spot with fewer rocks [see below] that is appreciated by swimmers and their supporters who find easy parking, watch the swimmers tackle the last few kilometers to the shore, and can take dramatic finish photos.

The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation oversees, governs and ratifies solo and relay crossing across the Catalina Channel (aka San Pedro Channel). For more information, visit here (www.swimcatalina.com).

Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association