Courtesy of Catalina Channel Swimming Federation, Catalina Channel, Southern California.

After many swimmers train for and successfully complete a marathon swim or channel swim, they often think about helping others and volunteering in some capacity at events or with other solo or relay crossings.

But Paul Hornyak of Huntington Beach, California attended a Catalina Channel Swimming Federation observer class before his attempt of the 20.2-mile Catalina Channel.

Paul Hornyak is an American open water swimmer from Huntington Beach, California.

On September 14th, he completed a solo crossing of the Catalina Channel from the Santa Catalina Island to the Southern California mainland in 13 hours 13 minutes 50 seconds in water temperatures that dropped from 72°F off Catalina Island to 62°F off Abalone Cove with Lynn Kubasek and Brad Magit on deck as Catalina Channel Swimming Federation observers.

“He had some strong currents to contend with at the end, but he finished at a mercifully sandy beach just south of Wayfarers Chapel,” said Kubasek.

Video courtesy of Lynn Kubasek.

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