Kaiwi Channel, Hawaii – 16 year old, Lorelei Schmidt, traveled across the country to swim solo from one Hawaiian island to the other. Also known as the Molokai Channel, this body of water separates the islands of O’ahu and Moloka’i in Hawaii. The channel is 27 miles (44km), with maximum depths up to 2,300ft (700m). This channel is included in the 7 challenges of Oceans Seven open water swimming series. Lorelei is a North Carolina Swimming member who trains with the Marlins Of Raleigh, and has always loved long distance swimming. This ordinary teenager has an “Extra-ordinary” mindset filled with confidence, determination, and a fearless approach accepting the challenges of open water swimming adventures. Lorelei began her swim around 6:00am as the sun was beginning to rise, and made it to O’ahu shore at 1:43am in 19hours and 38 minutes, joining a small group of the young females to successfully cross this channel. Special shout out to her support crew, and her parents, who were on the boat by her side providing fuelings and hydration to sustain her marathon swim. Lorelei has been swimming in numerous long distance swimming events across the country from Lake Tahoe, Catalina Channel, 20 Bridges Manhatten Swim, and now the Kaiwi Channel can be added to her list of accomplishments. Two days before Lorelei began her swim, two other open water swimmers had to abort their swim due to cookiecutter shark attacks. Check out this article https://dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/lorelei-schmidt-travels-cross-country-to-cross-molokai-in-19-hours-38-minutes/.

Congratulations Lorelei! Just Keep Swimming! #WEARENCS

The 2024 Southern Zone Open Water Championships, was held at Barren Lake State Park, Lucas, KY on May 31 – June 2, 2024.   Congratulations to these athletes for being named to the SZ Open Water Team.

OW Zone Meet Information

FULL RESULTS WITH TEAM SCORES

Junior National Open Water SZ Qualifiers

2024 Southern Zone Open Water Championships results are in.  Florida wins the team title.  North Carolina, and Gulf have a close battle for 2nd and 3rd with NC taking 2nd by 1 point.

Congratulations to Kevin Ryan and Kentucky Swimming on a job well done!

#WEARENCS