Catalina crossing

Over 90 crews of nine athletes each have indicated their intent to

compete in the 35th annual Catalina Channel Crossing, which is Sept 11.

Some 45 “Wahine” (women’s) teams will start at 8 a.m. at the mouth of

the Newport Harbor for rtheir 27-mile trip to Avalon on Catalina Island.

Sunday the men will leave from Avalon with over 50 “Kane” (men’s)

teams racing a 31-mile course to the Newport Dunes.

There will also be a coed division which will race with the women’s

teams on Saturday, and an ironman classification for the men’s division.

A large expo withg food, booths, awards ceremony and live music will

finish off the competitive weekend.

The event is hosted by the Newport Aquatic Center and involves teams

from Hawaii, Canada, Tahiti and the East Coast, as well as California

entries.

The Catalina Chann el Crossilng is a nine-man “change race,” with six

athletes paddling in a can oe at any one time, with fresh paddlers

substituted into the moving canoes via water changes taking place

continously throughout the crossing. Each canoe has its own escort boat,

where paddlers may have 20 minutes or so to drink water and catch their

breath before the next 20-50-minute session of paddling. Strengh,

stamina, discipline and timing are crucial to the success of the winning

teams.

Newport Aquatic Center invites the public to attend the expol at

Newport Dunes onb Sunday, Sept. 12, from 12-6 p.m . For additional

information, call the NAC at (949) 646-1309.