“The Big Swim,” the 5th annual Santa Barbara Channel Relay Swim, was held September 12-13 and raised nearly $25,000 for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The successful event, coordinated by the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association, brought together more than 40 brave swimmers and several kayakers. Swimming and paddling in shifts, participants made the journey across the 26-mile wide Santa Barbara Channel from Santa Cruz Island to Goleta Beach Park. Among the swimmers were Claire Fackler, Bill Douros, Julie Bursek, and Matt Pickett from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Funds raised for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will benefit education programs at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, with a particular focus on providing ocean experiences to underserved students.

The Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association (SBCSA) promotes activities to benefit the ocean. Beginning in 2004, the SBCSA sponsored annual relay swim has raised over $100,000 for local ocean-caring organizations.

Big Swim 2008 participants