2021 Swim Applications
The first step in planning your Monterey Bay swim is to secure a date (or window) with a boat pilot.
Once you do that, please complete a swim 2021 application and contact MBSA so that we can support you with documenting your swim. We are here to SERVE YOU!
If you are wondering why you should contact MBSA when planning your solo or relay Monterey Bay crossing, read our commitment to swimmers.
Once you do that, please complete a swim 2021 application and contact MBSA so that we can support you with documenting your swim. We are here to SERVE YOU!
If you are wondering why you should contact MBSA when planning your solo or relay Monterey Bay crossing, read our commitment to swimmers.
Trans - Monterey Bay Marathon Swim History
Monterey Bay Swimming Associations has done extensive research to create this historical record of marathon swims (solos and relays) between Santa Cruz and Monterey. If you know of a documented and verifiable swim not listed here, please contact the association.
Make a donation to the Monterey Bay Swimming Association
Use the donate button below to make a donation to MBSA or to pay your event fees.
Monterey Bay Swim History and Successes
Did you know the first Solo marathon swim of Monterey Bay was completed by Cindy Cleveland in 1980 and would not be repeated until 2014?
WHAT'S NEW
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Catherine Breed Breaks the Solo Trans-Marathon Swim Record (fastest crossing North to South)On September 22, 2020 27-year old Catherine Breed, from Pleasanton CA, set a new speed record across the Monterey Bay. She completed her record-breaking solo 25-mile marathon swim from Santa Cruz (Seabright Beach) to Monterey (San Carlos Beach) in a time of 12 hours and 42 minutes. The previous record set in 2014 by Patti Bauernfeind. About 1 week later, the same swim was completed by Joe Zemaitis, from Arizona, in a time of 13 hours and 29 minutes.
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John Zemaitis is the First Male to Complete a Solo Marathon Swim of Monterey Bay
On June 4 and 5, 2019 John Zemaitis completed the first official unassisted solo marathon swim of the 25 mile Monterey Bay. The swim course was Santa Cruz (Seabright Beach) to Monterey (San Carlos Beach). He completed the swim in a time of 17 hours and 23 minutes. The swim was planned to be a tandem solo with his brother Joe. The two brothers began in Santa Cruz on Tuesday evening and swam through the night. The brothers swam brilliantly, but Joe had to end his swim just 1 mile before reaching the beach in Monterey. John continued to the beach to become the first man and fifth person to complete a crossing following what are commonly referred to as "English Channel" rules - from shore to shore, no supportive contact, single cap and goggles, no wetsuit or other aids to warmth, buoyancy, or speed. Congratulations on some tremendous swimming by both brothers. 
SEA OTTER 6 - South End Rowing Club 2016
September 11, 2016, a group of adventurous women from the South End Rowing Club completed a trans-Monterey Bay Relay swim wearing nothing but a single swim cap and goggles. The team, known as the Otters, included Asha Allen, Jane Mason, Becky Margulies, Jessica Moll, Leeann Borton, and Joy Hollenback. They swam from Cowell Beach Santa Cruz to Lovers Beach Monterey (24 miles) in 12:41:00. This was the first RELAY team to complete this swim entirely NAKED. |
Amy Gubser swims Monterey
On September 22, 2017 Amy Gubser became the fourth person to complete a solo marathon swim across the Monterey Bay. Previous swims were completed by Cindy Cleveland (1980), Patti Bauernfeind (2014), and Kim Rutherford (2014). During Amy’s epic journey, she swam over nine hours in the dark and battled strong currents, wind, and hundreds of jelly fish stings. The water temperature ranged from 59 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Amy remained positive the entire swim, smiling and cracking jokes the entire way. Her crew consisted of (pilots) Greg Gubser, John Sims, Stephanie Duhau, and Larry Ahlin; (crew chief/paddler) Gavin Downs; (paddlers) Robin Rose and David David North. She also got a private escort off the beach by the Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol. 
Solo Swim of the 12 Mile Jay Long Course
On June 17, 2017 Scott Tapley honored the spirit of beloved surfer and waterman, Jay Moriarity, by swimming the "Jay." The 12 mile course begins in Capitola, goes outside Pleasure Point, passes Santa Cruz Wharf, then to Mile Buoy, returning to Capitola. With a 6am start, Scott started about 6AM and was past Mile Buoy before the official paddle race caught up. Scott and crew cheered for paddlers as they sped by. Scott was supported by a Jim Ready, Kim Rutherford, Robin Rose, and Emma Kelsey. Total swim time, dry sand to dry sand was 7 hours and 4 minutes. 
Cindy Hertzer Covid "Circle Swim"The Monterey Bay Swimming Association congratulates Cythia Hertzer on becoming the first to complete the lesser known "Circle Channel," a uniquely challenging fresh water swim located slightly inland of the more famous Monterey Bay, California. During this time of Covid-19, marathon swimmers like Cyndy are setting their sights on never-considered swims and finding creative solutions to "chlorinetine."
Prior to the swim, Cyndy remembers feeling the pre-swim jitters. "Just before the swim start I was nervous. I tried to narrow my focus to essential work: taking off my COVID face covering, being sure I was buckled in securely, and tried to distract myself from worrying about notorious currents mid-channel. Nonetheless, I was aware that while the swimmer ahead of me ahead of me had started at the quack of dawn to try to get ahead of the tides, I could still see him mid-channel, evidently struggling to make forward progress." Beginning near the plum tree, the swim got off to a smooth start. Conditions were ideal, with 74F water, 72F air, and near flat conditions. By mid channel, Cindy felt at the end of her rope, quite literally. She struggled to make progress but then miraculously reached mid-channel. Cyndy reflects, "I took a feed and I saw the duck had made progress. If he could, I could too!" The rest of the crossing passed quickly. It was nearly dinnertime, the crew was tired of repeating takes to capture each scene and Cyndy was eager to eat land food instead of the stuff in the bottles. Just a few strokes from the finish she had a minor collision with the duck. Cyndy's crew suspects fowl play, but the sense was he was just sheltering in place, weary from so many hours of swimming in fowl weather. Despite the unsuspected challenges of the Circle Channel, Cyndy persevered and finished strong, clearing the water and successfully making dry land in record time. Congratulations Cyndy an a hard fought victory. Read the full observer report here. Disclaimer: This is all in good fun. We hope everyone is staying safe out there and finding ways to stay fit, stay healthy, and keep sane during these challenging times. |
