In preparation for the Wrigley Ocean Marathon in January 1927, an eight-member relay team composed of the top California swimmers swam from Long Beach to Catalina Island, swimming legs of 30 minutes each. According to Dr. Penny Dean’s authoritative book, A History Of The Catalina Channel, the team crossed the Catalina Channel in 23 hours and 17 minutes in September 1926.

With the vision of a wise promoter, William Wrigley thought the channel could be swum faster.

And it was – by George Young of Canada – who made the first successful Catalina Channel crossing in 15 hours and 44 minutes in January 1927.

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