Horse racing, alpine skiing, and beauty pageants. Surfing, car racing, and snooker. Believe it or not, all of these activities have at least one commonality. In each sport or activity, you could earn a Triple Crown title. On three separate competitive occasions, athletes (and animals) perform at an elite level in assorted settings.

And open ocean.

To earn the triple crown of marathon swimming, one must successfully swim the English Channel, the Catalina Channel, and circumnavigate Manhattan Island. The English Channel is about 21 miles, the Catalina Channel about the same. Manhattan Island is 28.5 miles. 70.5 total miles.

With the exception of a support boat and crew, these three races are solo events. It’s you against yourself, the currents, the tides, and the marine life. The water is not that warm. Physical contact with anyone or anything is not allowed. Wetsuits and fins are illegal. You are allowed one bathing suit, one swim cap, one pair of goggles and some grease.

To add perspective, more people have successfully climbed Mount Everest than have swum the English Channel. The tides vary in the channel and are subject to constant and unpredictable changes. For Catalina, most swimmers start the channel crossing at night. In the dark. When there is less traffic. And finally, imagine yourself taking a stroll around the streets of Manhattan. Now imagine swimming around it. Quite a unique way to see the city.

These three swims are of sizable distances when tackled separately. Then they are pulled into a triple crown. But the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan Island are only a portion of open water swimming events. The athletes that have both finished and attempted any and all of these swims have a vast and unique knowledge of the sport. And as a beginner, open water swimming can be overwhelming. If you are looking for information, these swimmers can be your resource for training, navigation, fueling, equipment, and fear. Jump on in to this community and see where it takes you. And if you find yourself in California, New York, and somewhere between England and France, then congrats on your pending Triple Crown title.

Written by Carrie Smith