Episode 5: Swimming the California Channel Islands with Karina Garcia

Episode 5: California Channel Islands with Karina Garcia

Most ultraswimmers have heard of swimming from Catalina Island to the mainland, but what about the other seven islands that make up the California Channel Islands? These islands offer startlingly clear water, dramatic rocky cliffs, an iconic arch, and frequent visits from resident dolphins. Routes have been charted across the channel, around the islands, between the islands and more.

What is it like to swim here? Find out as Karina Garcia shares her recent course record swim from Santa Rosa to the mainland along with Evan and Jessica’s reflections on their own swims from Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Islands.

If you’re wondering how you might swim any of the California Channel Islands, we discuss how the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association supports swimmers in safely achieving these goals. Evan and Karina draw on their experiences as former and current SBCSA board members to illustrate how the association helps swimmers organize, execute and celebrate swims involving these beautiful and remote islands.

Music: 'Wanderlust' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

**References**

- [Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association](https://santabarbarachannelswim.org)
- [California Channel Islands solo swim results](https://ultraswimming.org/database/events/california-channel-islands) (LongSwims Database)
- [Karina Garcia swim resume](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/karina-garcia) (LongSwims Database)
- [DRIVEN](https://driven.vhx.tv) - documentary film about three Channel Islands marathon swims in 2012