All For One, One For All Swim Across The Molokai Channel

Every channel swimmer knows it takes a team to successfully cross a channel. An expert pilot, a dedicated crew, trusty paddlers or kayakers.

And now Molokai Channel swimmers have the opportunity to take their own teams across the Ka’iwi Channel, one of the famed Oceans Seven channels.

Jeff Kozlovich and Steve Haumschild are organizing the first Ka'iwi Channel Swim this summer. 26miles across the Ka’iwi Channel from the west shore of Molokai to Sandy Beach on the east shore of Oahu.

The race will be held on August 24th, 2013 and is limited to 40 teams of 2 or 6 swimmers. Kozlovich say, "The race will put some meaning back into the word epic."

While there have been 29 swimmers recorded as having crossed the Ka’iwi Channel on their own, this is the first organized team race across the channel. Both Haumschild and Kozlovich have served as personal escorts to Bill Goding, Penny Palfrey, Darren Miller, Oliver Wilkinson, and others. "Our experiences have led us to imagine an event that would bring the giants of the field to compete with, and against, each other, with a healthy representation of the open water swimming community joining in on the fun."

But this relay is not just for the elites. Haumschild and Kozlovich mention on their blog, "This is shaping up to be one incredible race that will strengthen the open water swimmer presence in Hawaii and create amazing memories and friendships." Haumschild says, "The race participants are some of the most competitive, experienced and trained athletes in the world." Registration for this race opens on March 15th 2013. For more information, visit the Ka’iwi Channel Swim website here or by contacting Jeff Kozlovich at kozhawaii@gmail.com.

The date is set. The challenge has been offered. The 26 miles (42 km) will be epic, no doubt about it.

Source; Open Water Swimming