Courtesy of John Valinsky, Huntington Beach, California.

June Gloom often hits the beach cities of Southern California before summer starts.

But the sun shone brightly – and the surf was up – for today’s 68th Annual Huntington Beach Pier Swim in Huntington Beach in Southern California.

The race was trickier than normal with currents flowing southward on the north side of the 564 meter length pier and the opposite on the other side of the longest concrete pier off the American West Coast.

Multiple winner Hank Wise said before the race, “During our warm ups, we were getting slammed into the pier so we decided to start from a different position than we normally do.”

But Mother Nature changed her mind as the swimmers hit the water after the onshore start. “The swimmers who hugged the pier as most veterans usually do shot way out in front,” observed Steven Munatones. “And many were caught outside of that fast rip current.”

Beth and Robert Margalis used their speed and stamina and bodysurfing skills to win the Masters and Legends division in the race [shown above] while Jude Williams and Liberty Williams also made it a family affair on the podium.

Men and Women’s Division – Top 10 Results
1. Jude Williams (16) 9:31
2. Cameron Castro (17) 9:41
3. Nicolas Baljeu (16) 9:56
4. Liberty Williams (16) 10:05 – first woman
5. Andrew Heaston (16) 10:21
6. Dylan Honrath (17) 10:44
7. Adam Faludi (16) 10:50
8. Jaron Saxon (17) 11:32
9. Brenden Tran (17) 11:46
10. E Sainsbury-Carter (17) 11:47 – second woman

Masters and Legends Division – Top 10 Results:
1. Robert Margalis (36) 10:24
2. Kellyn Carlson (37) 10:51
3. Brian Meyer (42) 10:54
4. Beth Margalis (34) 11:05 – first woman
5. Marc Eskes (41) 11:09
6. Douglas Garland (47) 11:13
7. Hank Wise (50) 11:15
8. Sam Frandrich (32) 11:42
9. Sal Castro (47) 11:53
10. David Kardos (36) 12:00

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