I would like to introduce you to Damian Blaum, an Olympian (10K) and the top professional marathon swimmer in 2013.

He would like to attempt a crossing of the Catalina Channel in August 2014 as a charity swim for Worldreader. I do not believe a swimmer of Damian’s abilities has attempted the Catalina Channel since Penny Dean back in the 1970s. Damian has several dozens of 6-10 hour races under his belt and will be coming off of the 2014 pro season. He was Trent Grimsey’s pace swimmer during his record swim in the English Channel so he understands the rigors of a channel swim.

Lexie, who has swum in races with Damian from Argentina to Canada, will be crewing for Damian.

I have recommended Damian swim from the mainland to Catalina in a plan to break the mystical 7-hour barrier in the Catalina Channel. I have seen Damian handle cool water in Canadian lakes and know that he can maintain a very fast pace based on his performances at the Olympics and world championships. If he has a halfway decent day, he certainly can pop off a sub-8 hour swim. If he has a decent day, a 7-hour swim is certainly within his capabilities…and if everything goes well and the conditions are glassy, he could set a record.

I would love for you to be the observer on his attempt but I first want to make sure that all the paperwork and procedures are followed and deadlines met.

It has been sometime (or never?) since a pro male swimmer in his 20s and in the prime of his career has attempted the Catalina Channel.* Damian is one of the world’s most-beloved and highly respected professional marathon swimmers with a significant international (Spanish-speaking) following so I think we may witness a special swim that draws the interest of many around the world.

Steve

* If I look at the All-time Fastest Top 10 English Channel swimmers, only Penny Dean has attempted the Catalina Channel if my memory serves me correctly.
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