Palisadians Complete Swim Challenge

The OptimisSport Distance Swim Challenge was held last Sunday morning and many Palisadians woke up early to participate in the second annual fundraising event—an ocean swim held between Manhattan Beach and Venice Beach. 

One of the charities that benefited from the fundraiser was the Pacific Palisades-based , a group working to reopen the Palisades-YMCA pool in Temescal Gateway Park, which has been closed since 2008.

“This is an event that gives to a lot of different charities and we’re one of the charities,” said Ilene Cassidy of Friends of the Temescal Pool. "A lot of the swimmers and organizers involved with the Challenge can trace their roots back to the Temescal Pool."

The Swim Challenge also raised money for Exceeding Expectations, a San Bernardino-based nonprofit organization which trains at-risk children for triathlons, and Splashball, an organization teaching kids how to play water polo.

The event consisted of six races ranging in distance from 1.2 to 12.6 miles, including two relays. There was a 500-meter Fun Swim.

"It was the first time ever for me at that distance and I thought it went really well," said Palisadian Drew Daniele, who finished sixth overall and second in the male 45-49 age group in the 2.4-mile swim with a time of 59 minutes, 5.7 seconds. "My goal was to break 60 minutes. I picked that number because a few serious triathalon people I know said that sub-one hour is a respectable pace. When I got to the finish line, four of the five finishers ahead of me swam the race with full wetsuits, so I felt content with my performance."

Palisadian Hubie Kerns was third overall in the 2.4-mile swim with a time of 56:48.7. Jennifer Way was 67th overall and 20th among women in 1:29:02.8 and fellow Palisadian Gary Burdorf was 72nd overall and 50th among men in 1:35:59.7.

In the 12.6-mile swim, Palisadian and OptimisSport CEO Alan Morelli was 11th overall, 10th among men and first in the 50-54 age group  with a time of 6:23:41.6. He trained at the Temescal Pool for 15 years.

In the 4.8-mile swim, swimmer Andrew Hacker was third overall and second in the male 1-17 age group with a time of 1:47:59.4.

In the 1.2-mile swim, Richard Johnson was 42nd overall and second in the make 50-59 division in 35:42.7 while fellow Palisadian Leslie Steiner was 49th overall and first in the female 50-54 age group in 37:24.5. Other Palisadian finishers were Jensen Miers (78th overall in 41:51.6), Elaine Matern (88th overall in 44:19.0), Tenley Hardin (90th overall in 44:51.1), Geoff Shelden (105th overall and first in the male 65-69 category in 56:26.8) and Lester Wood (106th overall and second in the male 65-69 category in 56:28.3).

Click here for complete results of all the Distance Swim Challenge races.

Helpful Links

• For the OptimisSport Distance Swim Challenge website, click here.
• To register for the Distance Swim Challenge online, click here.
• For information about Friends of the Temescal Pool, click here.
• For information about Exceeding Expectations, click here.
• For information about Splashball, click here.

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