John Pittman

Father Mickey Pittman (27+ years as an escort pilot for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation) and son John Pittman (42+ years as an escort pilot for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation) were jointly selected as Honour Contributors (Pilots) in the Class of 2017 in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame

right John Pittman with the record setting WOW relay team

Catalina Channel swimmer escorted by John Pittman on the Outrider

Course taken by Forrest Nelson, Becky Jackman-Beeler, Mike Mitchell, Kent Nicholas, Emily Evans, and Tina Neill were members of Team FTD that completed a 6-way crossing of the Catalina Channel that was captained by John Pittman aboard the Outrider, ratified by the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation and observed by Carol Sing, Donald Van Cleve, and Adam Moine. Source: Marathon Swimmers Forum by Evan Morrison

53.8-mile (86.5 km) course of the Out, Around, and Back (Old and Cold) relay team with Becky Margulies, Asha Allen, Dan Simonelli, Dave Van Mouwerik, Anthony McCarley, and Scott Zacharda with John Pittman as escort pilot between Catalina Island and Santa Barbara Island

Captain John Pittman is a Professional Navigator for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation. He has escorted dozens of successful swimmers between Santa Catalina Island and the Southern California coast on his escort boat, the Outrider and remains active with the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation community as a lifetime member of the Federation.

Outrider

The captain of the Outrider has an enviable track record of success out in the Catalina Channel. Of his 41 bookings for channel swims in 2010, 29 attempts were made. Out of the 29 attempts, 20 swimmers completed their swim. In 2009, Captain Pittman and his crew escorted 18 swimmers under more typical conditions with 19 out of 20 making the crossing. "Judging from the amount of contacts we have already received, 2011 will most likely be our busiest season ever. I hope the conditions return to normal and our 2011 season results in each and every swim being a successful one."

After all these years taking swimmers and their support crew between Catalina Island and the Southern California mainland, Captain Pittman knows his throw pillows waters and the challenges it brings. "We ask that swimmers limit their support team to 10 people including themselves, their support crew and Catalina Channel Swimming Federation observers. We also offer a galley service that provides the swimmer's support team with hot meals, snacks and drinks. Its convenient and helps to eliminate the clutter of ice chests and bags of food aboard the boat. We also have a microwave, small refrigerator, hot water, ten bunks with blankets and pillows, hot showers and 110V electrical outlets for charging electronic equipment onboard."

On 10-14 July 2014, Captain Pittman escorted Team FTD, including Forrest Nelson, Becky Jackman-Beeler, Mike Mitchell, Kent Nicholas, Emily Evans, and Tina Neill as swimmers and Carol Sing, Donald Van Cleve, and Adam Moine as observers, in an unprecedented 6-way crossing of the Catalina Channel aboard the Outrider. Source: Marathon Swimmers Forum by Evan Morrison.

On 14-15 July 2016, Captain Pittman escorted Old and Cold Relay, including Becky Margulies, Asha Allen, Dan Simonelli, Dave Van Mouwerik, Anthony McCarley, and Scott Zacharda for 28 hours 58 minutes over 108.2 km before the swim was called off by the boat owner as they were estimated to be 5 miles / 2 hours from their finish on Catalina Island.

Honor

John Pittman and his father Mickey Pittman were jointly selected as Honour Contributors (Pilots) in the Class of 2016 in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Pilots

• Reg Brickell, Sr., Great Britain, Class of 2003 (English Channel)
  
• Captain Leonard Hutchinson, Great Britain, Class of 2004 (English Channel)
  
• William J. Long, Great Britain, Class of 2004 (English Channel)
  
• Michael Oram, Great Britain, Class of 2004 (English Channel)
  
• Duncan Taylor, Great Britain, Class of 2005 (English Channel)
  
• David Whyte, Great Britain, Class of 2007 (English Channel)
  
• Reg Brickell, Jr., Great Britain, Class of 2009 (English Channel)
  
• Ray Brickell, Great Britain, Class of 2009 (English Channel)
  
• Charlie Gravett, Great Britain, Class of 2016 (Isle of Jersey)
  
• Mickey Pittman and John Pittman, USA, Class of 2017 (Catalina Channel)
  

External links

• David Whyte Talks About Crossing The English Channel On WOWSA Live
• Be Kind To Your Yacker Week Begins
• David Whyte Talks About The English Channel On WOWSA Live
• Michael Twigg-Smith, David Harvey, Mark Hamilton Talk About Channel Swimming On WOWSA Live
• Hallucinations In The Open Water, A Future Edition Of WOWSA Live
• Outrider
• Catalina Channel Swimming Federation
• Outrider In The Daily News
• Open Water Swimming
• Escort Pilots On The High Seas
• Hallucinations In The Open Water Swimming World
• Volunteers, Escort Crew Fuel The Open Water World
• As Seen On TV, Another Record Falls In Catalina
• That Moment Of Exhilaration...And Afterwards
• Thomas W. Kofler Becomes Italy's First Triple Crowner
• Peter Bales, A Navigating Giant Of South Africa
• Navigating With The First Couple Of Open Water Swimming
• Post-50 Swimming With Bob West
• Scott Tapley Takes The Unexpected In Stride
• Tandem Times Two Triumphant
• The Evolution Of Distance, The Sea Hawks Soar To Record
• Way Way Out, All The Way Around, And Back In 40 Hours
• Old And Cold Relay On Track Between Catalina-Santa Barbara
• Expect The Unexpected In The High Seas
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• Open Water Swimming
• Julieanne Feels Goode, Gives Thanks Across Catalina
• Pittmans Inducted In Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame
• Honor Pilots In The International Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame