For members of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Swim Club, braving the elements to complete a 26-mile relay swim across the Catalina Channel today to raise money for sick children at CHOC Mission Viejo was certainly worth it.
“The swim was so much fun (cold, scary, dark) and we had a huge pod of dolphins escort us into the beach by the lighthouse,” said swimmer Sasha Westberg in an e-mail to the City. “They were everywhere. That was the most exciting part, much better than the sting on my arm by who knows what!”
Westberg organized the event that raised $4,300 for the children’s hospital and she hopes to raise even more.
The 15-year-old swimmer along with team members Tyla Willment, 17, Mallory Mosk, 19, Derek Young, 15, Joey Ferreri, 16, and Blake Parker, 16 along with reserve swimmers Cameron Willment, 14, and Kelsi Ferreri, 14, completed the journey from Santa Catalina Island to Rancho Palos Verdes in 7 hours, 51 minutes and 30 seconds, said Nadadores General Manager Mike Lewis.
The public can donate to CHOC on behalf of the Nadadores’ Catalina Channel swim team by writing a check payable to CHOC and sending it to the Mission Viejo Nadadores Foundation, 25108 Marguerite Parkway, PMB No. 175, Mission Viejo 92692.
Giving back to the community has long been a hallmark of the Nadadores’ agenda. The Mission Viejo Nadadores instill lifelong character qualities and never falter at participating in community events such as the Mission Viejo Relay for Life, the annual Walk Against Drugs, Coastal Clean-Up Day and other worthwhile causes.
The Nadadores are known world-wide for a commitment to excellence in the sport of swimming. As a team, the Nadadores boast 20 Olympic medals, 22 World Records, 91 American Records, 47 National Team Titles and 148 National Champions.
The Nadadores will host the Junior Olympics on July 29 and Aug. 2, followed by a community open house on Aug 4.
For more information, call 949-380-2552 or visit http://www.mvnswim.org.
