Ocean Plays a Key Role in This Race

As the crow flies, or in this case, as the swimmer swims, it’s 10 miles from the Huntington Beach Pier to the Seal Beach Pier.

And for some of the more than 60 men and women who will be attempting the pier-to-pier race Saturday in the Seal Beach Open Water Swim, that 10 miles can be a nice swim in the ocean, or an eternity in the dark and roving sea.

“Well, depending on factors like the ocean currents, water temperature, or rough seas, this swim can seem like it can go on forever when you’re out there swimming,” said Scott Weir, coach of the Seal Beach Swim Club, which has staged the event the last 27 years.

The 10-mile swim, one of six other events scheduled Saturday, starts at the Huntington Beach Pier at 6 a.m. and goes south along the coast to the Seal Beach Pier. When conditions are right--a flat ocean, mild ocean temperatures and mild currents--top competitors can finish the race in less than three hours.

The record for the 10-mile swim is held by Michael Nelson, who went 2 hours 42 minutes 48 seconds in 1990.

In addition to the 10-mile event, there is also men and women’s three- and one-mile races. There are also events in boys’ and girls’ 200-, 400-, 800- and 1,200-yard races.

Among the swimmers competing in the race are Gerry Rodriguez and Jim McConica. Both are ranked in the top 10 in the nation for ocean swimming.

“It should be a fun race,” said McConica of Ventura, who has done the race five times. “But if ocean conditions are rough, that would work to my advantage because of my experience in ocean swimming.”

McConica said if the conditions are bad, it would be the pool swimmers who would have the most trouble.

“I’m just fine in water that is cold,” McConica said, “so that won’t be a negative factor for me.”

McConica, 45, is a grandfather and competes in a different age-group division than Rodriguez, 33. Nevertheless, when they compete, the ultimate prize for them is the overall championship.

The last time McConica and Rodriguez competed in this race, McConica edged Rodriguez at the finish line.

Also competing will be Huntington Beach’s Rod Hansen, who won the event in his age-group in 1993. Hansen, who has competed against Rodriguez in other ocean swims, is hoping to do better than his best of 3:31.00.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” Hansen said. “I just hope the water warms up a little.”

In the three-mile event, Larry Weisenthal of Huntington Beach will compete with his father, Gary, 82. Gary will skip the 10-mile race because he decided he wasn’t adequately prepared.

“My dad and I have been doing the Seal Beach swim since 1981,” said Weisenthal. “He’ll [Gary] be coming out here from Louisville, Kentucky, to swim this race. And let me tell you, he takes this race very seriously.

“My dad is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 80-84 age group. And he thinks he has one more good 10-miler in him. So maybe next year he’ll do it.”

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Seal Beach swimming

* What: Seal Beach open water swim championships.

* Where: All events except the 10-mile swim start on the west side of the Seal Beach Pier, which is located at Main Street and Ocean Avenue in Seal Beach. The 10-mile race starts at the Huntington Beach Pier.

* When: Saturday. Ten-mile race starts at 6 a.m. at the Huntington Beach Pier. Three-mile event starts at 8. Boys’ and girls’ 200-, 400-, 800- and 1,200-yard events start at 8:30. One-mile starts at 11.

* Cost: Admission is free but parking can be difficult.

* For information: (310) 431-2379.