Houston – Come August, a group of six Houstonians will likely become the first in their age group to swim the Catalina Channel together as a relay team.
The nearly 20-mile stretch of open water separates Catalina Island from the coast of Southern California. Known for its unpredictable currents and cold waters, the Catalina Channel is considered one of the world’s most challenging open-water swims and they will complete the task without wetsuits.
The team is led by ultra-marathon swimmer Kerry Yonushonis who has swam the Catalina and English Channels. Yonushonis’ son, Lucca Incerpi will swim the English channel with her next month. Incerpi will be the only teen on his relay swimming for a good cause. He’s supporting Mencap, a UK-based non-profit aimed at supporting people with a learning disability, and their families.
The remainder of the team consists of siblings Matthew and Emily Parker and Nate and Natalie Sun. They will be joined by teammate Dhevan Sluiter on paddle support. The team has been training rigorously for months including intense swimming sessions in frigid water, strength training, and endurance exercises, as well as learning to navigate the unique conditions of the channel. In addition to their physical training, the students have also learned about the potential hazards, such as sea life, and changing tides, and have prepared themselves mentally for the long hours they will spend in the water.
The swim is set to take place in early August, leaving from Catalina Island to the California Coast. They will be accompanied by a support boat, to provide them with food, medical assistance if needed, and a strong support system.
If you’d like to follow along on their journey, follow them on Instagram. If you’re interested in open-water swimming contact Coach Kerry directly at swimkerryswim@gmail.com