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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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Huge shout out to the companies that show up for our sport and have partnered with us to bring Beyond The Breakers 2026 together!

We're less than four weeks out from Beyond The Breakers, and these are the ones who backed it.

Thank you for your support @enduranceswim, @pacificswimco, @dryrobe, @themagic5, @massopenwater, @swimtrek, @wetrihard, @sdowsa, @surfears, @sportsrdpro and @gulfofmaineows! You put your name behind a sport that mostly happens in choppy, dark water before sunrise with nobody watching, and the people who live it notice.

The swimmers, crew, coaches and the brands are all going to be there talking about a sport we all live for an entire day!

November 14 and 15 in Waltham.
Tickets are at the link in bio.

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#BeyondTheBreakers #OpenWaterSwimming #swimming #Triathlon #SwimBeyondTheBreakers A photo with all the sponsors supporting beyond the breakees

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One month from now, everyone who ever felt that pull will be standing in the same room. Some of you heard it from the water, some from the shore, and some from the boat.

You remember the first time. Maybe you were at the edge of cold, dark water with every reasonable part of your brain telling you to stay on shore. Maybe you were the one holding the feed bottle and the stopwatch, watching someone you love swim into something you couldn't see the end of.

It shows up in the middle of the night when you're researching swims you have no business attempting YET. It shows up when you take the long way home past the water, and every time someone asks why you do this and you realize the answer only makes sense to someone who already knows.

You're not chasing medals or fitness. You're chasing something on the other side of hard, and you've probably been doing it quietly, with a lot of people around you who don't quite get it.

That stops being a solo thing on November 14 and 15 at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. The summit brings 13+ sessions and Rowdy Gaines on the keynote stage, and the morning after, the clinic puts you in the water with coaches who live this sport!

Swimmer, triathlete, channel veteran, first-timer, crew, or coach, you belong in that room.

Only 2 clinic spots are left, and tickets are at the link in bio.

Thank you @sdowsa for the awesome background video!

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#BeyondTheBreakers #OpenWaterSwimming #Swimming #Triathlon #SwimCrew

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Thank you September Swim Camp!!!!! @sdowsa

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Two months out.

November 14th is coming and the room is filling up.

You do not have to be the fastest swimmer in the water. You do not have to have a channel crossing on your resume. You just have to feel that pull toward the open water and want to be around people who feel it too.

Rowdy Gaines on the keynote stage. 16 sessions from the best coaches, scientists, and swimmers in the sport. The BTB Swim Clinic in the water the morning after. And a room full of people who get it without you having to explain it.

Whether you are thinking about your first open water swim or you have been chasing big swims for decades, you belong in this room.

Two months. Bentley University. Waltham, MA.

Come find your people.

🎟 Link in bio.

#BeyondTheBreakers #BTB2026 #OpenWaterSwimming #swimming #SwimLife Photo of swimmers running into the water

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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! 🏊‍♀️👏

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LAST CALL.

Ticket prices go up at MIDNIGHT!

If you've been thinking about joining us at Beyond The Breakers, this is your moment.

For the swimmers who chase bigger challenges.
For the coaches who want to keep learning.
For the crew who knows what it takes to get someone through the tough miles.
For the people who love the water.

You belong here.

One community. One weekend. A whole lot of knowledge, grit, and people who understand why we do this.

🎟️ Lock in your ticket at the current price before midnight.

Nov. 14–15, 2026
📍 Bentley University • Waltham, MA

Tomorrow, the price changes. Today, you get in.

#BeyondTheBreakers #OpenWaterSwimming #MarathonSwimming #OpenWaterCommunity #SwimCommunity A swimmer and an update that today is the last day

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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! ⚓️🏊‍♂️

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3 DAYS LEFT!

Prices go up this Tuesday, across all Beyond The Breakers tickets.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the open water community this November, now’s the time to commit. Come for the knowledge. Stay for the people. Leave ready to take on whatever the water throws at you.

Don’t wait for the price to change. Lock in your spot now.

🌊 Nov. 14–15, 2026 | Bentley University

#BeyondTheBreakers #OpenWaterSwimming #OpenWaterCommunity #SwimCommunity #Swimming A photo with a 3 day count for beyond the breakers

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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

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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

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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! 🌊🏊‍♀️🎉

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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

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