On September 21st, 2024, our friend, Joel Virgel, attempted the 21 mile open ocean swim between Catalina Island and the mainland. He raised over $7,000 to support the Turtle Conservancy. Joel provides an update:

"I would like to address everyone in regards to my recent crossing of the Catalina Channel in support of the Turtle Conservancy. First of all, thank you all very much for your support, for both myself and the Turtle Conservancy. My channel crossing of September did not go exactly as planned, but that does not diminish my appreciation for your generosity.

When I first got to the pier in San Pedro, the captain of the support vessel Pacific Moon informed me that the weather and the prevailing currents were not good for the crossing. After careful deliberation, I decided to go ahead, regardless.

We sailed across to Catalina and I jumped in the water in Doctor’s Cove to begin the swim to Palos Verdes.The water was choppy, but I made it ten hours without incident, and was feeling strong. At that point the captain received a radio message from the US Navy informing him that we had to change our route to avoid submarine maneuvers in the area. This was not only going to add an extra hour to the trip, it put us squarely up against a strong current. As the weather worsened and whitecaps made it difficult to swim, the observer determined that is was necessary to stop. At this point I had successfully completed 18.9 out of 21 miles: fifteen hours of freestyle swimming, beginning at 10:45pm. It was a grave disappointment, but the decision was not mine to make.

As it turns out, the decision was a good one: the water temperature had dropped from 68 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit – I swim without a wetsuit – and I had developed hypothermia.I am extremely grateful for the outpouring of support for both my swim and the Turtle Conservancy. As they say, I “lived to fight another day,” and am planning to make the crossing again – and complete it – next summer"

A big thank you to Joel and all that supported this valiant effort!