The 2015 La Jolla Rough Water Swim went off under ideal conditions on Sunday – warm, calm water under tropically warm skies off the San Diego coast. This is one of the oldest open water swimming races in the country and attracts participants from around the globe. The event features a series of races throughout the day for age group to masters level swimmers. The day culminates with the famed “Gatorman” swim; a three mile round trip swim from the La Jolla Cove to the Scripp’s Institute of Oceanography pier.
Demonstrating that ages is merely a number, 45 year old Alex Kostich (a 1991 Pan American Game’s gold medalist) dominated the Gatorman from start to finish in a time of 58:24.
Check these result links from La Jolla Rough Water Swim: Junior, master’s men, masters women, amateur, gatorman
Our photographer Mike Lewis was on hand and brings these images from the race.
Gatorman start (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
keeping an eye on the start (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Start of the masters men’s 1 mile (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
catching waves in the warm up (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Early leaders in the master’s men’s 1 mile (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
City of San Diego lifeguards on hand keeping the race safe and fun (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Pack swimming (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
making through the kelp during warm up at the adjacent Boomer Beach (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
Top local age groups Jake Danzer and Parker Seale hit the finish in the over all 5th and 6th positions of the Gatorman (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
start of the girl’s amateur mile (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
My son who is 14 swam the 3 miles. It was so organized and well run! Does anybody know where I can get another t-shirt the swimmers got for swimming the Gatorman? My son’s shirt got ruined in his bag as the suntan lotion exploded in it. This shirt means so much to him as this was his first open water swim. It makes me sad.
My son who is 14 swam the 3 miles. It was so organized and we’ll run! Does anybody know where I can get another t-shirt the swimmers got for swimming the Gatorman? My son’s shirt got ruined in his bag as the suntan lotion exploded in it. This shirt means so much to him, it makes me sad.
And an amazing race for Amy Dantzler as well, winning the women’s race at the age of 51, after winning the women’s 1-mile earlier in the day.
Is it possible that all that seal poo in the cove makes it a fountain of youth?
Most excellent race conditions in the last decade I’ve been coming to La Jolla. Exceptionally well-run, as always.
Congrats Alex! You’re an inspiration.
Amazing weather and conditions in La Jolla. Calm water + pool-like temps.
Thank you, James!