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Jen Schumacher
Age: 25 (I'll be 25 by the time we swim)
Career: Student, aspiring sport psychology consultant
Hobbies: Marathon swimming
Passions: Swimming, coaching, sport psychology, and spending time with her family and boyfriend Scott, her support system.
Chris Dahowski
Age: 43
Career: Architect / Builder
Hobbies: Endurance events.
Passions: His career, which allows him to listen and work with people so that their dreams and wishes can be translated into a designed space that enriches their lives.
Mike Vovk
Career: Information Technology, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc
Hobbies: Training for endurance sports.
Passions: His wife, children, and his two golden retrievers.
David Hartmire
Age: 49
Career: Consultant
Hobbies: Triathlons and outdoor sports.
Passions: His family.
Q & As:
Chris, how did the idea of this swim come up?
"Well, a year or so back, there were a few guys at the gym who were talking about doing a relay across the 22 miles of ocean from Catalina Island to Long Beach, 7 guys doing 3 miles each. I wanted to be a part! But, they had no room for me. However, it never left my mind and I knew one day soon I would be swimming it solo. 'David and Mike are you ready to do this swim?' I asked. We joked about it at the gym for some time. Then one day the joking was over, coordination started, interests grew and now we are swimming 22 miles each. What better way to do this than to help those that struggle daily with normal activities."
Mike, why swim the 22 miles from Catalina to Long beach?
"The human body is amazing and most people just dont understand what they are capable of until they really push themselves. If I can use my passion to fuel friendships and help those that are less fortunate and inspire others along the way, I cannot think of a more beneficial use of my life."
Jen, You've already conquered this. Why swim the 22 miles for a second time?
"Prior to my first Catalina crossing (8/14/09) I had always been interested in the idea of swimming the Catalina Channel. I loved going to Camp Fox in Catalina as a kid, was inspired by Lynne Cox's book, Swimming to Antartica, and realized it was something I could do when I support swam for Dave Galli in 2008. I set out to train for the swim and completed it in 9:02:48. This time around, I am intrigued by swimming the other way, and want to be a part of this challenge. Not only has it never been done before, but the potential impact of this event is huge, and I look forward to helping our team fundraise and raise awareness for JNCS.
David, what do you feel when completing endurance events?
"The satisfaction that I feel when completing a long distance event is unbelievable. There is pain and long hours of suffering in every endurance event, but when you reach the finish line, it all becomes worth it."
Chris, Jen, Mike, and David, what is it that pushes you to keep going when you are in the open water?
Chris,"Various factors motivate me because it is a whole new challenge to overcome. The clarity and peace that I will find amidst intense solitude is something I look forward to. I was always instilled with that hard work never goes un rewarded. My reward will be seeing how much we can make a difference"
Jen, "Two things keep me going when I'm struggling in the open water: my support and my mission. When I look over at the boat and see all of the people who have supported me through my training and helped me get in a position to achieve my goals, and even when I think about them during training when they're not visible, it motivates me to dig deep and keep going. My parents, sisters, Scott, and Uncle Dan have sacrificed so much and their support has always been very meaningful. The other thing is my mission, the reason for doing what I'm doing. For this swim, that is many things, but one significant thing is the impact I believe this swim will have in both the open water swimming community and Jay Nolan Community Services. "
Mike,"The FINISH! There is no better feeling in the world than finishing an endurance event. You put in the training and don't want to let people down. The main reason I do endurance sports honestly is to learn about who I am. The best way to do that is to get to the point where everything logical in your body is telling you to stop and you need to make that critical decision to go or quit. That's how you learn about yourself and thats how you become a better/stronger human being. I relish those moments."
David, "I focus on the finish while in the water. Incrementally calculating the distance swam and the distance remaining. Pacing and splits keeps my mind busy while in the water. I also believe that I am setting a positive example for my children. Hard work and persistence can lead to some amazing things!"
Jen, Chris, Mike, and David, if there's a cause/foundation/charity you are passionate to support, what is it and why that one specifically?
Jen, "For me there are two. I have heard wonderful things about what JNCS is doing and fully support their mission. Helping the developmentally disabled is something close to my heart and I think it is great that we can channel our swimming efforts (pun intended) to help JNCS make a difference in the lives of others. The other is the Surfrider Foundation, and their Rise Above Plastics campaign. Protecting our world's beaches and oceans is another passion of mine, and I think it is paramount to reduce our plastic consumption and waste, and help others do the same.
Chris: "First I think it is fantastic that JNCS believes in us and is their supporting us. Without them we have no real cause, just self accomplishment. I have recently in the last few years become close to JNCS so if ever their is an opportunity, be it with a charity, organization or foudation if I can bring a smile, break a laugh or even enjoy a short swim in the ocean with one that has a developmental disability, I know that for that breif second I made an impact."
Mike: "Without a doubt, people living with developmental disabilities. For those people, they did not have a choice; they face monumental challenges almost daily and choose daily to keep going. I cannot imagine more courageous and inspiring individuals. Without a doubt, those people are my heroes. If I can use what I am passionate about to create awareness and show people how many of those that are living with developmental disabilities are inspirational, I feel like in a small way I have made a difference."
David: "I've worked in the non-profit world my entire life. Helping others is a passion that I've always had. I've been very fortunate in my life, and I believe it is important for all of that are fortunate to give and support those who live under difficult circumstances."
Support Crew Positions:
Each swimmer will need a team of 8 people to support them in the following areas: Nutrition, Paddlers for kayaking, Support Swimmers.
For the Nutrition part the swimmer will be stopping about every 20 to 25 mins to get their feeding. These stops have to be executed perfectly and very organized. The duration of the stop should not exceed 15 seconds. The main reason for the quick feeding is so we don't drift to far off course. This is very important, as it could mean the swimmers might swim and extra mile or so. The second reason is hypothermia. When the swimmer switches from swimming to treading water different muscle groups begin to work and this sort of tricks the bodys heater. The nutrition is prepared on the guide boat and then tossed to the paddler via a bungee cord. The paddler actually passes the water bottle on to the swimmer.
The Paddlers for the kayaks need to be in shape, need to be at some of our training swims and prepared to handle their journey. Their job is extremly important. The 77' guide boat usually cannot see the swimmer so he is relying on the paddler to keep the swimmer parallel to the boat and always pointed in the right direction. This gets extremly difficult at night. There has been plenty of stories where after a feeding the swimmer takes off and he is swimming in 180 degrees in the wrong direction. The 77' guide boat cannot just turn around and get him. It is the kayakers responsibility to keep the swimmer straight. One person is not required to kayak the entire distance, we can switch off, so on each swimmers support crew it is good to have a few kayakers.
Support Swimmers, this is the fun stuff! Kayakers and Nutrional Crew can also act as a support swimmer. This means that at any time you can jump from the boat with a wetsuit and flippers to swim along with your teamate. It is great emotional support, besides well needed company. So, we want our crew to be ready and willing to jump in and swim with us!! Come along on our training swims on the smaller mileage days, get out there, get in the water, have fun!! Just remember in no way can you touch or assist us during the event.
Personnel:
Below is a list of names that we have been gathering. If you see your name on here it just means that you expressed some interest. It doesn't commit you in any way. It is a starting point and we are so thankful to you all. Trust us when we say this, "without you, we cannot make this happen." Together we can!
Jay Nolan Community Services
Cody Martin
Sonia Martin
Alan Morelli
Christian Strickland
Ramon Estandarte
Nick Vovk
Jim Stanley
Michael Broderick
Brittany Hartmire
Bill Zeal
Chris Schauble
Kari Noelle
Angela Gaudino
Eric Hoffman
Manny Chavez
Mike Okoniewski
Chris Collins
Lou Cirillo
Kevin Black
Brian Shinkle
Kevin Comparye
Bret Santos
Jenn Shaw
Byron Davis
Steve Neale
Justin Sjoberg
Forrest Nelson
Daniel Belson
Gerald Turpin
Heather Ianza
Jon Myklebust
Sean Leonard
Tesha Mullen
Melanie Vovk
Lauren Habercorn
Eric Hahn
Doug Kirk
Robin Davis
Greg Agnes
Jimmy Urbanovich
Chris Wegner
Scott Hubbard
Jackie Corcoran
Tracy Edwards
Rada Owen
Wayne Lockwood
Bridget
Chip Mcdaniel
Rebecca Nevitt
Miguel Serricchio
Sammy Padakows
DONORS: Sean Leonard, Janet Pucino, Adam and Nena Tyler, Tina Pauley, Chris Dahowski, Sam Rojas
Mohan Korukonda, Brennan, Mr & Mrs Vovk, Stephanie Triquart, Louis Cirillo, Dana Studer, Kathleen DeFranco, Ben Bloch, Bill Eichner, Dario Pascarelli, Willian Chadrow, Dan and Claudia Sabedra Phil Sharon Will Shin, David & Wendy Hoffman, Angela Gaudino, David Berkey, Jeff Livers, Heather Ianza,
Frank Wang, Frank Piluso, Gary and Sandee Opdahl, Melissa Ashburn. Barry Aerabi, Seth Neiman, Brian Diamond, La Cocina, The garage sale, Peter and Sandra Andrews, John Viener, Marilyn Matevi, Salah Amoodi, Natalie Merrow,
JAY NOLAN Community Services
The Mission of Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS) is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.
Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1975 by members of the Autism Society of LA. Initially named Programs for the Developmentally Handicapped, Inc.
In 1992, JNCS began changing the way it provided services. The organization closed its group homes and began providing supports to people to enable them to live in their own homes, have jobs, and participate in other valued activities during the day. Today, JNCS provides an array of support services in Southern California and its surrounding counties and in Santa Clara County, offering individualized planning guided by the needs and wishes of the person receiving services and his or her circle of support.
JNCS believes that:
All people have capacities and gifts.
All people need a sense of belonging to a community.
All people contribute to a community.
All people can live in their own home with the right support.
All people should be treated with dignity and respect and have a right to privacy.
All people have the right to be heard and their ideas acknowledged.
JNCS' philosophy is based on the belief that with the right kinds of support and assistance, individuals with disabilities can pursue their hopes and dreams and live to their full potential within the community. IT IS AN IDEAL OF INCLUSION RATHER THAN EXCLUSION AND SEGREGATION.
For hundreds of members and their families, JNCS is the solution to what can seem to be insurmountable problems.
PLEASE READ
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OPPORTUNITIES:
* Have your Company branded on the official sailboat of the 100 Mile Modern Day Adventure Swim. Here the boat is seen with a Bud Light Lime Campaign.
The sails boast 1500 square feet of in your face marketing. Fully Lit at night!
* Full Vehicle wrap which will be seen at all training events, and races leading up to the 100 Mile Modern Day Adventure Swim.
Castaic Triathlon 8/07
Naples Island Swim Long Beach 8/15
Big Bear lake Swim 9/10-9/11
Nautica Malibu Triathlon 9/12
Swim for life Corona Del Mar 9/19
* Full Kayak wraps that will travel to all training events, and races. Kayaks will also be on the water during the 100 Mile Modern day adventure swim
* Pinted logos on team jerseys, hats, goggles, suits, literature
* Website
![wowsa_logo_gif[1]](http://static.wix.com/media/c54b2cbb437c34274795a9d004be2abe.wix_mp_256)
![busby3[1]](http://static.wix.com/media/8079c0baa27f4ed4ca5c3d70afb45b9e.wix_mp_256)