|
Forrest Nelson Swam From Oahu to Molokai
March 15, 2006
Information about Forrest Nelson's history
swim between the Hawaiian islands of Oahu to Molokai
and a chronology of other swimmers who have crossed
the Kaiwi Channel.
On March 15, 2006, 40 year old radio show writer
Forrest Nelson of Los Angeles became the seventh
athlete to successfully swim cross the Kaiwi Channel,
and only the second athlete in history to swim across
the channel in the Oahu-to-Molokai direction.
Difficulties encountered during the swim inlcluded
several hours of nausea, two difficult currents,
and swimming through a line of trash that caused
some concern about being attacked by sharks.
Forrest Nelson completed the 27 mile swim in 16 hours and 36
minutes. He began his swim at Sandy Beach on the
south shore of Oahu at 12:20 a.m. and he arrived at
Kawakiu Beach on the island of Molokai at 4:56 p.m.
that same day.
Forrest Nelson is an experienced long distance swimmer,
including swimming across the English Channel.
In May of 2006 he plans to swim around Alcatraz Island
in Northern California and in September of 2006 he plans
to return to Hawaii to swim the Kawai channel again in
the Molokai-to-Oahu direction.
The only other swimmer
to cross in that same direction was Dr. Harry Huffaker,
who swam from Molokai to Oahu 1967. Dr Huffaker is also
the only swimmer to cross that channel in both directions.
He crossed from Oahu to Molokai in 1972.
Other Swimmers Who Crossed the Kaiwi Channel
Kaiwi Channel Swimmers - Molokai to Oahu
1961 - Keo Nakama
(first certified crossing)
1967 - Harry Huffaker
(first to swim both directions)
1974 - Jonathan Ezer
1979 - Mike Miller and Ian Emberson
1994 - Robin Isayama
(first woman to cross)
Kaiwi Channel Swimmers - Oahu to Molokai
1972 - Harry Huffaker
(first to swim both directions)
2006 - Forrest Nelson
Related Resources
More on the Web About Forrest Nelson:
2006:
Honolulu Advertiser March 24, 2006 Article
2005:
Forrest Nelson 1st at 2005 Tampa Bay Marathon Swim
2005: Forrest Nelson's 40th Birthday English Channel Swim (article?)
2005:
MIT August 3, 2005 Article
2002:
Pismo Beach to Avila Pier Swim
See also:
Rules for Hawaiian Channel Swims
More About Swimming in Hawaii
|
Related Links
Sports in Hawaii - Main Menu
Islands of Hawaii
Forum for Hawaii Visitors
Hawaii for Visitors
|
|
|
