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San Diego Open Water Swimming Association

@sdowsa

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Explore San Diego’s iconic waters 🌊
Marathon swims, training & support
Home of the San Diego Triple Crown

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This picturesque, tide assisted swim circumnavigates Coronado Island, home to the Naval Amphibious Base and the Naval Air Station along with the resort city of Coronado. Located in San Diego County, California, across the bay from downtown San Diego, the swim starts at Glorietta Bay Park on the San Diego Bay side and ends at Avenida Lunar, Gator Beach (before entering Navy SEAL territory). This is the original route used in the Coronado Around-the-Island Swim race, held annually from 1992-1996.

The swim was revived in 2020 as a solo swim by International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Coach Dan Simonelli @dan.swimonelli. Since then over 100 people have completed the swim, two of them completing 2-way swims.

The swim boasts breathtaking views of downtown San Diego and swimmers are often accompanied by various Naval ships as they perform training and Naval operations.

The tidal assist makes it a speedy swim for the distance. A perfect first marathon swim or winter/spring English Channel qualifier. Interested? See link in bio. taken in Coronado Island, Coronado by @sdowsa

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3 years ago

Last week was a truly special one for the Around Coronado Swim community as San Diego proudly hosted the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame banquet. To celebrate the occasion, we had the incredible honor of welcoming not just one or two, but five Hall of Famers into our waters over the course of the week.

Joining us that week for an Around Coronado Swim were Dina Levačić, Ned Denison, Liz Fry, Jaime Lomelin, and Sal Minty-Gravett — each bringing a remarkable legacy of endurance, adventure, and contributions to the sport of marathon swimming. We were also fortunate to previously welcome fellow Hall of Famers Suzanne Heim-Bowen and Nora Toledano, who completed their own Around Coronado Swim journeys in years past after Dan Simonelli revived the Around Coronado Swim as a solo swim in 2020.

There were some memorable moments along the way, including Liz holding the title of oldest female swimmer to complete the Around Coronado Swim… for all of three days before Sal came along and raised the bar once again - becoming the oldest person overall to successfully complete the swim! Records aside, watching these athletes share stories, laughter, and a love for open water reminded us exactly why this sport is so special.

The banquet weekend itself was a memorable celebration of marathon swimming and the incredible people who make up this community. We are deeply honored that so many Hall of Famers chose to spend time with us, trusted us with a small part of their journeys, and allowed us to show off our beautiful San Diego waters.

To all of you — thank you for joining us. It was a week we will always remember. 🩵 by @sdowsa

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5 months ago

Swimmer, Coach, Kayaker, Volunteer, Observer, Lifeguard... These are a few of the words that describe founder and lead observer Dan Simonelli. He has supported and coached open water swimmers who completed swims in the Santa Barbara Channel, Molokai, S.C.A.R, and other major international swims, including the English Channel and Catalina Channel, the latter literally hundreds of times.   Dan is an inductee (Honor Coach) in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. Dan has also been awarded the Streeter Award (2015) for Service to Marathon Swimming and the 2016 Barra Award for Best Overall Year (2016) by the International Marathon Swimmers Federation in addition to being recognized on the World Open Water Swimming Association’s list of the World’s 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men. @dan.swimonelli by @sdowsa

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3 years ago

Congratulations to Kathleen Wilson on completing the Point Loma to Ocean Beach (PLOB) swim on September 13, 2026! 🌊🏊‍♀️

It was a beautiful day for Kathleen’s 30th official marathon swim. The swim began in the darkness and as she made her way around the stunning Point Loma coastline, the morning came to life.

With Kathleen’s impressive speed—and a favorable tide and current working in her favor—she completed the fastest PLOB swim to date, setting a new course record! 🏆

Kathleen is no stranger to marathon swimming. In addition to this incredible milestone, she is also the race director of the Swim Around Charleston, helping create memorable experiences for other open-water swimmers.

Kathleen was supported by observer/kayaker Dan Simonelli, kayaker Summer Wesson, and land crew Karianne Scheevel.

Congratulations, Kathleen, on marathon swim number 30 and an outstanding record-setting PLOB! 🎉 by @sdowsa

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24 days ago

Congratulations to Gabriela “Gaby” Lemus on her Around Coronado Swim on August 29, 2026! 🌊☀️

It was a sunny day with plenty of boat traffic, along with some wind and bumpy conditions that made parts of the swim challenging. Gaby stayed strong and positive throughout it all—and at the finish, she even commented that the ocean had been so nice to her that day. That perfectly captures Gaby’s wonderful attitude and genuine love for the ocean! 💙

Gaby was supported by Observer/Kayaker Dan Simonelli, kayaker Summer Wesson and land crewed by Lorena and Carlos Hernandez. Her friend Astolfo Feregrino also stopped by to welcome her in, having completed the Straight of Gibraltar swim with her just last month!

Congratulations, Gaby! 🏊‍♀️👏 by @sdowsa

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a month ago

Congratulations to John Fischbach on completing his Around Coronado Swim on August 27, 2026!

After a foggy start, John put his US Naval Academy training to work, swimming efficiently through headwinds both up the bay and out the channel. The Navy appeared to arrange its own celebration, with plenty of boat traffic, circling helicopters and even a massive C-130 flying low over the swim path—as if to say, “That’s our guy!”

John was supported by observer/kayaker Dan Simonelli, kayaker Jeff Rake and land crew Candy Fischbach.

Congratulations, John, on making the Navy proud! ⚓️🏊‍♂️ by @sdowsa

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a month ago

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: SUMMER WESSON

50+ Catalina Channel crossings supported. First documented double crossing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and back. SDOWSA board member.

Summer Wesson has been on the water, in a kayak and as a swimmer, for some of the most demanding open water routes around. She knows what swimmers need from their support crew, and she knows what most kayakers get wrong.

At BTB 2026, Summer joins Dan Simonelli to break down what great kayak support actually looks like.

November 14, 2026 · Bentley University · Waltham, MA

Prices go up September 1. 🎟 Link in bio.

#BeyondTheBreakers #KayakSupport #CatalinaChannel #OpenWaterSwimming #BTB2026 a photo of summer wesson announcing her presentation at beyond the breakers taken in Bentley University by @sdowsa

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a month ago

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: DAN SIMONELLI

Behind every great marathon swimmer is a great support team. Dan Simonelli has been on both sides.

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Coach, founder of the Open Water Swim Academy, founder of the Around Coronado Swim and the San Diego Open Water Swimming Association. He has served as observer, kayaker, crew chief, and coach for more than 300 channel and marathon swims.

At BTB 2026, Dan joins Summer Wesson to break down the art of kayak support — what it takes to be a safe, effective, and trusted member of any swimmer's team.

November 14, 2026 · Bentley University · Waltham, MA

Prices go up September 1. 🎟 Link in bio.

#BeyondTheBreakers #KayakSupport #OpenWaterSwimming #MarathonSwim #BTB2026 #OpenWaterSupport a photo announcing dan simonelli as a speaker for beyond the breakers 2026 taken in Bentley University by @sdowsa

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a month ago

On August 16, 2026, Lisa Rustin completed an Around Coronado Swim—something she once considered too far, too cold and far too intimidating!

After months of training through cold water, night swims and jellyfish stings, Lisa was treated to beautiful conditions, backstroke beneath the Coronado Bridge and views of the downtown and North Island lights. When the final miles became a true mental and physical challenge, a playful sea lion joined her for nearly a mile, swimming and performing flips beneath her until the shoreline finally appeared!

Lisa was supported by official observer/kayaker Jeff Rake, kayaker Stephen Treger and land crewed by her son, Kurt Rustin. Many of her San Diego friends as well as her coach were also waiting on the beach to celebrate her emotional finish.

Congratulations, Lisa, on facing your fears and completing your Around Coronado Swim! 🌊🏊‍♀️🎉 by @sdowsa

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2 months ago

Swimmers spend months training in cold water, at night, in swell, in every condition they might face on race day. The preparation of the crew has to match the reality of the swim; Night kayaking in open ocean, Full gear and feed lines in swell, Capsizing in the dark and getting back on, because out there it will happen.

The same standard you hold yourself to as a swimmer should apply to everyone on your crew.

Summer Wesson has kayaked over 50 Catalina Channel crossings and she and Dan Simonelli are bringing this conversation to Beyond the Breakers this November.

Whether you are the swimmer or the person showing up for them, this is the room to be in. Come learn from two of the best in the sport.

Link in bio for tickets.

#CatalinaChannel #MarathonSwimming #OpenWaterSwimming #BeyondTheBreakers #ChannelSwimming taken in Bentley University by @sdowsa

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2 months ago

On August 15, 2026, Martha Ornelas and Nicole Brogdon joined us for a very special tandem Around Coronado Swim! 🎉🌊

We love celebrating birthdays on the water, so as they rounded the jetty at sunrise, Martha received the traditional kayak rendition of “Happy Birthday.” 🎂☀️

Martha and Nicole enjoyed a quiet, beautiful night on the water—and even had a harbor seal stop by to say hello. He may have violated their personal space along the way, but we decided to overlook the “no touching” rule since he hadn’t been given an opportunity to read the official swim rules before participating. 🦭

The swimmers were supported by observer/kayaker Dan Simonelli, kayaker Summer Wesson—with essential assistance from Cornelius the Unicorn—and official land crew Astolfo Feregrino.

They also had an incredible fan club cheering them on! Their coach, Sidney Russell, was there to see them off that morning, and a beach full of past and present Around Coronado swimmers, friends, and supporters welcomed them at the finish.

Congratulations, Martha and Nicole! The shared tears at the finish, followed by Martha’s birthday celebration, made this an incredibly special day for everyone involved. 🩵 by @sdowsa

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2 months ago

On August 12, 2026, Brian Melekian joined us for an Around Coronado Swim! 🌊

Taking on the island in a wetsuit and fins, Brian made the swim his own and set out late morning for a beautiful lap around Coronado. He was treated to sunshine, great conditions, a bit of light wind, and plenty of boat traffic to keep things interesting along the way. ☀️⛵️

Brian was supported by observer/kayaker Summer Wesson, kayaker and coach Jeff Rake, and his wife Tracy Melekian, who handled land crew duties and was there to cheer him on from shore.

It was a beautiful day to take on one of San Diego’s most iconic open-water routes, and we were happy to be along for the adventure.

Congratulations, Brian, on completing your Around Coronado Swim! 🏊‍♂️🌊👏 by @sdowsa

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2 months ago