Imagine by
Carol Frivaldo
Imagine
being seven-year-old and having a dream of swimming a channel swim. Not many
seven-year-olds have that kind of a dream. One did!
Jacee
Frivaldo(14), Jacob Miller(15), Spencer McVeigh(15), Seth Mandel(14), Bejamin Bleichwehl(15),
and Lael Proffit(15) the two alternates were Kealan Harris(15) and Cole
Whitener(14). These swimmers joined
together for the first time with the dream intact on August 11, 2013, each
having prepared individually for this swim.
The goal this
night was to make it through the night swim, that only a few had completed to
this point. The reality of swimming 21 miles in a relay is a wonderful
opportunity but failure could happen at any time from this point to the
completion of the swim. The night swim went off with great excitement and
enthusiasm. Each child was prepared for this portion of the swim. The excitement began to build!
The open
water experience being represented by these eight swimmers exceeded 600 miles.
How do such young people accumulate over 600 miles in open water? Ultimately,
this is a passion for each of the swimmers. The open water giants have train
many of these kids for at least a year, some of the kids longer. La Jolla Cove
Swim Club has nurtured the gifts of the children’s desire to accomplish such a
goal.
August 12,
2013 the day of travel to San Pedro, seemed to last forever, gathering for the
final meal before heading to the boat. The energy in the room could ignite the
restaurant grills for days. The Catalina Channel Observers were present and
they began the pre-swim briefing for the kids. Knowing what it takes the
Observers are giants of this sport, you do not succeed without them.
Once the
briefing was completed the destination was the boat, but containing this group
of swimmers was an insurmountable task. Or was it? “Hey, guys the television
station is at the boat.” The kids moved swiftly to the boat and really enjoyed
the attention and fun that was had by all.
As dusk was
approaching the gear of eight swimmers was loaded and their parents were
prepared for the commute to Santa Catalina Island. We waited for the final
preparations of the crew, the captains briefing, and finally the rules of the
swim. These young swimmers listened tentatively and with exuberance, because
the “real” business was about to begin.
At 9:30 pm,
the boat released the mooring and headed out to Santa Catalina Island. Oh, what
a journey, this would become! Yes, they
were prepared yes, they took the medicine but seaworthiness would not be at hand. Two hours and thirty minutes later the boat
anchored at Catalina Island. The first
swimmer struggled to her feet. Knowing if she could just get in the water she
would be fine.
The key was
getting to the water. Finally, Jacee got in to the water, to her own chagrin
and swam around. Not feeling “it” she headed to the island and prepared to
start. It seemed like eternity had passed before she began the first ever youth
relay recorded by the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation on August 13, 2013.
Of course, what was next was not unusual for Jacee accept it was night. The
illuminations in the water were beautiful, as Jacee lit up the water. So were the
jellyfish, schools of fish and the dark water that engulfed her. For her this was her destiny no matter how
she felt. One hour pass relatively quickly. Before you know it Jacob was giving
her a high-five.
 |
| Jacob heading for the exchange with Jacee |
Jacob had
jumped in having been prepared, in case the first swimmer did not make it for
the start. He was mentally ready, and you could see it in his stroke. Jacob
swam like the champion of heart that he is and shared his life with the marine
life. The night seemed to melt away for him as he lit up the water with his
delight and strong stroke. It was his turn to show, it was his time for
success! He gave the high five to Spencer.
Spencer hit
the water gracefully and powerfully with her head spinning. She patiently
waited two hours to feel the salt water around her and the illuminations she
encountered not only in the water but reflected from her as she entered the
water. Spencer seemed to have been made for this moment in her life. She
created her direction, for her purpose in life. Nice job, Spencer as she gave
Seth a high-five to begin his portion of the relay.
Seth is
known for his strength and power in the water. He was going to need it as the
tides had picked up and he powerfully navigated his hour of the swim. He would not be humbled in strength by the
waves but he was well challenged after he completed his hour. He gave a
high-five to Ben.
Ben took off
with an even pace and swiftly. He had the swells, as they would be on this day.
Ben focused on the business at hand. His grace, talent and skills showed it was
all worth the training for this moment. He was here and going to make a
successful attempt with his new found friends and teammates. Lael was up next
as she entered the water to give Ben his high-five.
Lael took
off with the cheers of her mother. Lael, knows her business in the water and it
showed that the real cheering came from within who she was created to be at
this moment, in time. She swam a swift pace that was consistent with a kid that
was not on vacation! She kept moving mightily through the water as
though she was destined for this portion of the swim. Fabulous swim, Lael as
she gave a high-five to Jacee.
Jacee’s
second swim went off with a pod of dolphins that surrounded her. Jacob went in
for the second swim and showed he was still having fun, as land broke the
horizon. Spencer came in the water and the waves stood still, or was it she was
swimming so fast because there was ”land”. Finally, Seth was up and ready as he
was getting coached about the landing and being careful at the finish. He
jumped in and another pod of dolphins came around the aft of the boat.
This would
be the finish of all finishes. The first of firsts, for these awesome swimmers
that showed that there are no barriers if you dream big, live the dream and
focus on the goal. Seth had some sleep during the night and was feeling the
dawning of the day. He jumped in with approximately
2000 yards to land this team. It was different from the start because there was
no pebble beach; this was rock and sea urchins everywhere. Carefully, and
tentatively, Seth continued the relay until it was determined he had landed by
the CCSF observer standing on the shore.
It was done
the first ever 14/15 year old relay had succeeded in 9:34.53 for their crossing.
A moment of eleven months and a lifetime of preparation had been completed. The
successful Catalina swimmers made their way back to the boat as pods of
dolphins would escort them back to the mooring in San Pedro. What a beautiful
experience that was successful because of the volunteers that put it together,
the parents that took the journey and the CCSF Observers and organization that
made it all possible. Thank you!
A job well
done, these kids that became “Channel Crossers” in a night. Congratulations!
Jacee
Frivaldo, Jacob Miller and Cole Whitener train in Scottsdale, Arizona. Seth Mandel trains in Woodlands, Texas. Spencer McVeigh, Ben Bleichwehl, Lael Proffit
and Kealan Harris train in San Diego, California. Thanks for the memories!
Sponors for
the Channel Crossing included, La Jolla Cove Swim Club and Xterrawetsuits.
Vessel: The
Bottomescrather
