Champ tries to win second leg of Open Water swimming’s Triple Crown
Rafa Bravo, a 57-year-old tax director by day, is a No. 1 ranked* open water swimmer by night and will soon attempt the second leg of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, the Santa Catalina Channel Crossing, where he’ll attempt a 32-mile open swim from Catalina Island to Long Beach, a spokesperson for the event announced this week.
The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming is a marathon swimming challenge consisting of three historically important swims.
Bravo has already completed the first leg of the Triple Crown, 20 Bridges, a 28.5-mile open swim around Manhattan Island in New York.
After he conquers the Santa Catalina Channel Crossing, he’ll attempt the final leg—the English Channel crossing between England and France—next year to complete the Triple Crown, a distinct honor that only 265 people have achieved before him.
Bravo’s goal is to complete the Santa Catalina Channel Crossing in 12 hours. To do so, Bravo trains from Monday to Friday early in the morning, swimming five to six kilometers daily and traveling once a month to train in open water at temperatures similar to that of the California waters.
Bravo’s swim launch takes place at Doctors Cove, Catalina Island. The leg is 32 miles, arriving at Point Vicente Lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Bravo departs Catalina Island on Thursday, July 7 at 8 p.m. PT, and will arrive around 1-2 p.m. PT on Friday, July 8.
Bravo, who found his passion for open water swimming after joining the swimming team at his local club at age 35, has a team of support behind him. Bravo’s employer, RSM México, an audit, tax and consulting firm, has been a key supporter of Bravo’s with many employees traveling from out of the country to support Bravo as he embarks on his swim. Bravo has received support from the Mexican government, equipping him with the same professionals that train athletes for the Olympics by providing nutritional advice, psychological assistance and sports medicine.
(Editor’s note: Number one ranking is within the 50+ age bracket in Mexico.)
