Catching Up with Former Student, Caitlin O’Reilly: Her Journey Across the Catalina Channel

In a remarkable feat of endurance and determination, Polar athlete, Caitlin O’Reilly, recently completed the grueling Catalina Channel swim, covering a 32km stretch of water from Catalina Island to mainland Los Angeles.  This monumental achievement leaves Caitlin with just one more swim to complete The Oceans Seven Challenge — a goal that few have accomplished.

Caitlin’s inspiration for pursuing The Oceans Seven Challenge came from a coach who had swum Cook Strait.  “He was talking about the swim at training one day, and I decided then and there that I was going to do that too.”  After her first ultra-marathon swim, she fell in love with the sport.  “The Oceans Seven was devised in 2008, and to date, only 31 people have completed all seven swims, with just 8 being females.”
Her journey hasn’t been without significant challenges.  Open water swimming is highly weather-dependent, and while in Hawaii, waiting to swim the Molokai Channel, unexpected weather thwarted her plans.  “We tried once but had to abandon the swim an hour in due to changing winds.  It was especially risky since we began at midnight.”  Despite being away from her usual training routine, Caitlin found a supportive swim group in Hawaii that helped her stay in shape both in the pool and the ocean.
To overcome these obstacles, Caitlin maintained a focused mindset.  “We waited in Hawaii for three weeks, but the weather didn’t cooperate.  I had to move on to my next swim — Catalina Channel in Los Angeles. ” Despite the setbacks, Caitlin’s motivation remained strong.  Completing the Catalina Channel swim took her 8 hours and 57 minutes.  “There were moments when I wanted to give up, but those thoughts passed, and I kept swimming.”

A particularly memorable moment during the Catalina Channel crossing was the sunrise.  “Starting the swim at midnight to avoid the strong afternoon winds of LA, I was greeted by a massive pod of dolphins swimming alongside me as the sun rose.”  Seeing the finish line and being informed that she only had a couple of hours left boosted her spirits and confirmed that the toughest part of the swim was over.

Throughout her experiences, Caitlin has learned valuable lessons.  “Things don’t always go as planned and the importance of making the most of every experience.”  She believes in controlling what you can and being prepared for what you can’t control.  “These lessons have made me grateful for the opportunities to learn and connect with incredible people worldwide.”
For those aspiring to achieve similar feats, Caitlin advises having a supportive team, setting specific goals, and maintaining a balance between sports and other aspects of life.  “I also think it is important to have a good sports/life balance whether that be school or social things.”  She highlights the significance of having the right support system, whether during a challenging swim like Catalina or in everyday training.  “I have found that it is important to have the right team with me.”
With only one more swim left to complete The Oceans Seven Challenge, Caitlin is already contemplating her next goals.  “Who knows, I’ve started enjoying swimming butterfly in the pool again. Maybe I’ll work on getting my pool times more competitive after focusing on long-distance open water swimming for so long.”
Caitlin stays motivated by keeping her end goal in mind, which helps her push through even the toughest days.  “I know what I need to do to be successful.  It’s something I love, and I want to do, so I rarely struggle with motivation.”  Outside of swimming, Caitlin is studying to become a paramedic at AUT and enjoys catching up on sleep whenever she can.

Caitlin O’Reilly’s journey is a testament to her perseverance, passion, and the relentless pursuit of her dreams.  As she nears the completion of The Oceans Seven Challenge, her story continues to inspire and motivate aspiring athletes worldwide.

The Oceans Seven swims completed by Caitlin:
  • English Channel – 33 km between England and France
  • Catalina Channel – 32.3 km between Catalina Island and the California mainland
  • Strait of Gibraltar – 14.4 km between Spain and Morocco
  • North Channel – 34.5 km between Ireland and Scotland
  • Cook Straight – 22.5 km between the North and South Island of New Zealand
  • Tsugaru Strait – 19.5 km between Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan

Issues

 

See all issues