Vito Bialla
From Openwaterpedia
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A self-made business entrepreneur, author and extreme athlete who got into the open water world in his adult years, he is one of the primary drivers of the [http://www.nighttrainswimmers.com Night Train Swimmers] in the San Francisco Bay area. | A self-made business entrepreneur, author and extreme athlete who got into the open water world in his adult years, he is one of the primary drivers of the [http://www.nighttrainswimmers.com Night Train Swimmers] in the San Francisco Bay area. | ||
| - | Bialla is also one of the founding members of the [ | + | Bialla is also one of the founding members of the [[Farallon Islands Swimming Federation]] and an experienced pilot for the [http://www.farallonswimfed.com/Farallon_Islands_Swimming_Federation/ Farallon Islands Swimming Federation]. He also wrote an autobiography [http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/happiness-is-a-sharp-chainsaw/id456646063?mt=11 Happiness Is A Sharp Chainsaw]. |
==Happiness Is A Sharp Chainsaw== | ==Happiness Is A Sharp Chainsaw== | ||
Revision as of 08:18, 14 February 2012
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A self-made business entrepreneur, author and extreme athlete who got into the open water world in his adult years, he is one of the primary drivers of the Night Train Swimmers in the San Francisco Bay area.
Bialla is also one of the founding members of the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation and an experienced pilot for the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation. He also wrote an autobiography Happiness Is A Sharp Chainsaw.
Contents |
Happiness Is A Sharp Chainsaw
The autobiography of a German immigrant who survived Vietnam, founded an executive headhunting firm, sailed on the edge, and found love and satisfaction while meeting the challenge of the greatest Ultra endurance tests on the planet. 100% of proceeds donated to Semper Fi Fund.
Escort Pilot
Vito has skillfully escorted swimmers on this 30-mile course, renowned to be one of the two most difficult, coldest, most perilous marathon swims in the world. Water temperatures can range from 50°F (10°C) to 55.4°F (13°C), but temperatures have been recorded lower on several occasions. The water conditions are usually extremely rough with cresting ocean swells up to 20 feet. Currents and tides often exceed the speed of the fastest swimmers. It is a swim not lightly attempted and expertly guided by Vito in his SEQUEL.
Vito uses his SEQUEL, a Grand Banks East Bay 43, to escort solo and relay swimmers. Photos and videos of swims conducted by Vito are posted on the The Farallons Islands Swimming Federation website. Vito provides real-time GPS tracking of solo and relay swimmers here on the Farallon Islands Swimming Federation website.
History of Swims in the Farallon Islands
Relay Swimmer for the Night Train Swimmers: Vito was a member of a relay from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. May 20, 2011, covering 26.4 nautical miles. Time finished: 14:45:08. The team members were Phil Cutti, Darin Connolly, Dave Holscher, Vito Bialla, John Mathews and Kim Chambers.
Escort Pilot for the Night Train Swimmers: Vito guided an all-female team from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. June 4, 2011, covering 26.4 nautical miles. Time finished: 16:29:08. The team members were Kim Chambers, Laura Vartain Horn, Cathy Delneo, Melissa King, Patti Bauernfeind and Lynn Kubasek.
Other Marathon Swims
Vito has participated in marathon relay swims in the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Sea of Cortez (Mexico) and Lake Powell (Arizona-Utah). He has set a world record as part of the Mexican American Unity Swim in Lake Powell for the longest non-stop lake relay record and completed a 5:41 Strait of Gibraltar swim in 2010.
Videos
Contact
Contact information for Vito can be found here.
References
- Bialla & Associates
- Night Train Swimmers
- Farallon Islands Swimming Federation
- Interview with Ted Erikson and Vito Bialla
