The 8th annual Redondo Beach Swim The Avenues event (@swim_the_avenues) was held today in remembrance of former Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand.

As mayor, Brand joined in planning meetings, reviewed race courses, discussed issues with the lifeguards and safety personnel, inquired about training methods, and asked if there was anything that he could do to make open water events in the city of Redondo Beachy better for the swimmers and easier on the staff and volunteers.

The former South Bay surfer and open water swimmer knew the ocean; the people and ambiance of coastal communities. He recruited Olympic swimmers and world champions to support his unfulfilled goal of bringing the 10 km marathon swim at the LA28 Olympic Games to Redondo Beach, but he also stayed to cheer on the last swimmers in local open water swims – and ask if he could help with clean-up afterwards.

He was all in when it came to supporting his city, the surrounding community, and open water swimming.

Mayor Brand died in 2024 at the age of 65 after battling cancer for more than four years. His wife and other family and friends were by his side in the end.

Brand was on his second term as the City of Redondo Beach’s mayor, after previously serving two terms on the City Council. He had remained in office despite undergoing intense treatments and being hospitalized several times. Throughout his treatments, he always kept up with the open water swimming community and its enthusiasts.

Standing on a pier, standing on a shore, listening to others at City Hall, lending a helping hand…Mayor Brand was a true leader.

2026 Swim the Avenues – The Hemmens Duo Defend Their 2025 Titles

Hayden Hemmens (@haydenhemmens) and Sasha-Lee Hemmens (née Nordengen, @sash_hemmens) won the men’s and women’s 1.2-mile ocean swim. The husband-and-wife team (@oc_swim_org) initially met in Australia while competing in lifesaving events and have previously won their respective men’s and women’s divisions at other events including the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in the individual National Champion Surf Races and the 2025 Swim The Avenues (25:07 for Hayden and 26:25 for Sasha-Lee).

1.2-mile Swim The Avenues Overall Top 10 Results

1. Hayden Hemmens (29, Irvine) 24:57.7
2. Gabriel Bellott-McGrath (30, Santa Monica) 24:38.7
3. Sasha-Lee Hemmens (29, Irvine) 24:59.6 – first woman
4. Rayan Engineer (17, El Segundo) 25:04.5
5. Robet Margalis (Costs Mesa, 44) 25:08.7
6. Michale Angelo Cortez (17, Manhattan Beach)
7. Skyler Munatones (28, Hermosa Beach)
8. Zoey Lewis (26:27.6 (16, Hermosa Beach) – second woman
9. Tucker Well (31, Dallas) 26:32.5
10. Olivia Jacobson (16, Redondo Beach) 26:34.8 – third woman

Half-mile Swim The Avenues Overall Top 10 Results

1. Jio Aono (12, Irvine) 10:27.5
2. Maksym Marshchivskyi (12, Irvine) 10:41.3
3. Nicholas Kubasik (13, Mission Viejo) 10:41.3
4. Holden Blanch (13, Rancho Palos Verdes) 10:46.3
5. Lucas Polo (16, Torrance) 10:47.5
6. Scott Hubbard (54, Los Angeles) 10:56.0
7. Kellen Kao (16, Manhattan Beach) 11:17.9
8. Tyson Imai (12, Redondo Beach) 11:24.9
9. Kevin Kubasik (11, Mission Viejo) 11:26.6
10. 11:26.6 Hoshi Aono (10, Irvine) 11:27.9

A portion of proceeds from the Redondo Beach Swim The Avenues benefit the South Bay Parkland Conservancy.

For more information and full results of the Swim The Avenues, visit here.

© 2026 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“

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