Students participate in annual La Jolla Cove Swim

Every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day, the Kiwanis club of La Jolla hosts the La Jolla Cove Swim, the second-oldest open water swim in the United States. Nine hundred people competed and celebrated the 109th annual race on Sept. 7.

A buzzer interrupted the barking seals in the cove, and gaggles of eager swimmers splashed into the water, hoping to cross the bay without fatigue or any shark sightings. Participants either swam the 3-mile, 1-mile, or children’s 250-meter swim. 

The race attracted people of all ages, including some students from TPHS. Ava Fergerson (11) placed third out of all women in the 3-mile race.

“I’ve been swimming my entire life but I started open water swimming 2 years ago,” Fergerson said. “I like it because I’m not the fastest sprinting swimmer but not a lot of people can do long distance. It’s unique and it’s really thrilling to be in the ocean.”

Open water swims add the difficulty of navigating currents, wildlife and other competitors while swimming in a group. The typically long distances also create a strenuous race. The three-mile race was especially competitive. 

“The three-mile is 18+ but I got special permission to compete in it,” Fergerson said. “Mentally, it was challenging not getting bored or in your head about the exhaustion while you’re in the middle of the ocean. I was thinking about trying to get first [place], but I went with a friend who also swims so I was also trying to stay on pace with her.”

The event went smoothly other than a malfunction with the timing chips on each swimmer. Many individuals’ times were lost but place finishes and roughly-accurate times were still recorded.

“It took me about an hour and fifteen to twenty minutes,” Fergerson said. “You had to run 100 yards after you got out of the water to cross the finish line and that was really hard. I stuck with my friend the whole time so we crossed the finish line together.”

Nerves were common at the event, especially with the added natural elements.

“I was nervous in the beginning because it’s the hardest race I’ve ever done, and during the race I was nervous because I was scared a shark was going to eat me,” Fergerson said.

The fear of sharks while swimming seemed to be a common sentiment.

La Jolla Cove is known for its wildlife which heightened the race experience. Eric Chao (8) who attends Pacific Trails Middle School finished the one-mile swim and reflected on competing in the ocean. 

“Open water swims are more fun and exciting to do because there are animals and an overall engaging experience,” Eric said. “I saw a couple of leopard sharks, but fortunately they aren’t aggressive.”

The mood at the race was electric, and adrenaline aided many swimmers in the competition.

“This was my first year doing the La Jolla cove swim race and the atmosphere was great,” Eric said. “You settled into a rhythm and there were a lot of emotions running high that could carry you through. It is a mile swim so it’s definitely something to be proud about.”

Emily Chao (11) swam the one-mile race with her brother, Eric Chao, and shared her experience.

“It was really exciting because there were a bunch of people waiting for their wave to start and a lot of anticipation,” Emily said. “It was a really nice day; it was sunny, the visibility was great and the water was really warm.”

In addition to the physical obstacles of open water swimming, the long distances generally associated with rough water swims can be mentally taxing. 

“Open water swimming is always a mental game because you have to pace yourself and save enough for the end,” Emily said. “There were some physical challenges as well, like sun in your eyes or other people so you have to sight to make sure you’re going the right way and watch out for other swimmers.”

Despite the challenges, the joy in the race was abundant.

“I was so overcome by the warm water and the great conditions that I remember thinking while I was in the water, ‘I don’t want to come out’,  because it was so much fun,” Emily said. “Prior to the race, I did a good amount of training and preparation so it was really rewarding.”

The neighborhoods of La Jolla are known to be tight-knit, and this race is the quintessential reflection of the town’s character. The swim is run almost exclusively by volunteers from the community.

“There is a sense of community because the same people are usually at the swim year after year, so you see some familiar faces,” Emily said. “There are people cheering you on and the volunteers are great.”

According to the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, all proceeds go to nearby foundations such as La Jolla Concerts by the Sea and The Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego. The event promotes fun, exercise and competitive drive while honoring San Diego traditions and giving back to the community.

“I have done this swim for 2 years now, and I would absolutely recommend it because it’s a great way to challenge yourself,” Emily said. “It’s a new experience for a lot of people with a great sense of community that motivates them to continue tackling physical challenges.”