Lynn Kubasek

From Openwaterpedia
Lynn Kubasek, a channel swimmer from Laguna Beach, California
Lynn Kubasek, Catalina Channel swimmer and observer
2017 Marathon Swimmers Federation calendar where Kubasek's photo was featured
Fear No Pier participants under the pier at Huntington Beach, including Lynn Kubasek, Julian Rusinek, Ray Meltvedt, Theo Schmeeckle, Natalie Merrow, Tanya MacLean, and Scott Zornig just after finishing their 19th stage swim. Photo by WOWSA
Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association board members Jim Fitzpatrick, Scott Zornig, Lynn Kubasek, Cherie Edborg, Theo Schmeeckle, Jane Cairns, Dave Van Mouwerik, Evan Morrison and Rob Dumouchel

Lynn Kubasek (died 24 January 2019) was a 60-year-old American marathon swimmer from Laguna Beach, California. She filmed, produced and posted many channel swimming and marathon swimming videos in YouTube under the nickname Oceanswimmr.

Professional Career

  • She was the owner of the soap trademark Random Acts of Soap.
  • She worked as an Environmental Compliance Specialist and a Water Quality Specialist in Southern California.

Open Water Swimming Career

2013 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year Nomination

There is not a day that goes by without her cheering on or offering to swim with others. Her swimming friends come from all over the world. When not in the water, Lynn Kubasek is creating YouTube clips and online supporting swimmers day in and day out. She willingly and happily jumps on escort boats, prepares drinks, and offers to observe or crew on a moment’s notice or months in advance. Ocean water is seemingly in her blood; she wears lanolin as often than make-up; and marine life are her cherished friends. Always willing to help out, she has a permanent smile on her face in and out of the water. For her deep love of the ocean, for her profound sense of appreciation of the sport, for her overwhelming and all-encompassing sense of voluntarism, Lynn Kubasek is a worthy nominee for the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

Farallon Islands

Kubasek both struggled and triumphed with relay teammates Kim Chambers, Laura Vartain Horn, Cathy Delneo, Melissa King and Patti Bauernfeind from the Golden Gate Bridge to the South Farallons Island. The first all-female team to successfully navigate the treacherous waters of the Farallon Islands, they started and finished in the dark after 16 hours and 29 minutes. The six hardy women went through three rotations on their relay through the Red Triangle (watch visual gallery here).

"The seas, generally 15-20 feet, were larger than the escort boat," said Vito Bialla, the team's pilot. "Plus it was cold: 49°F (9.5°C), but the enthusiasm and passion of the women never wavered."

"I feel so incredibly lucky to have gotten to swim with such a fiercely strong group of women. I met Melissa King. She was the same here, steadfast and upbeat. I so admire her strength and steadfast cheerfulness," recalled Lynn. "Alas, my preparations against motion sickness (ginger and Dramamine lite) were for naught. I got sick very early in and barely kept a drop or morsel down the entire voyage. It was an interesting day - and I cannot say enough about each and every team member. Among my favorite memories of the swim was on my first round swimming, I thought that I missed the kelp (and grass and rocks) from Laguna Beach because it acts as a marker to let you know you are making forward progress. About 5 minutes later, Vito shouted "Kelp!" and I swam past and over part of a kelp pattie I felt at home. The thought of the commonality of the water made me feel completely at ease. Then I saw a couple of huge ominous purple bell jellies, but it was OK. Vito also said they saw the island during my 1st round (the 6th hour) as the sun started to come out which was so cool."

Lynn become blindingly ill from dry-heaving, but her smile is still plastered on her face. "What a GREAT thing to get to do. I was so sick and I really hit bottom but yanked it up. Would do it again in a heartbeat. That was FUN! What a great group and a great cause."

Team Tripod

Kubasek was also a member of Team Tripod, a group of 3 separate teams of 6 swimmers each that completed a joint crossing of the Catalina Channel in 13 hours 16 minutes. The 3 relays swam the exact same pace across the Catalina Channel. The teams started near midnight on Cabrillo Beach and swam out to Catalina Island with Carol Sing as the team leader. The swimmers included Julian Rusinek, Lynn Kubasek, Carol Hayden, Karl Jacobs, Kenny Jacobs, Tanya MacLean, Patsee Ober, Marc Horwitz, Tom Cook, Dan Simonelli, Kelley Schall, Thomas Johnson, Steve Coopersmith, Natalie Kreitzinger, Marta Gaughen, Paula Selby, Yafa Minazad, and Kim Miller. The support crew included Grace van der Byl, Julie Flanagan, Kevin Eslinger, Forrest Nelson, and Neil van der Byl. The CCSF Observers included Carol Sing and John York.

Video of Catalina Channel Circumnavigation Swim


On 16 September 2018, Kubasek completed a 74.7 km circumnavigation swim relay around Santa Catalina Island in the Pacific Ocean off of Southern California together with ATI Team 1 (including Gary Workman, Forrest Nelson, Tom Hecker, Kris Berglund, Lynn Kubasek, Sabrina Young), ATI Team 2 (including John York, John Blair, Ivanka Gavanski, Robin Hipolito, Mina Elnaccash, Amber Baker), and ATI Team 3 (Susanne Blair, Becky Jackman, Michella Thomas, Alice Ma, Krista Anderson, Carol Sing) in 31 hours 53 minutes 35 seconds, beginning and ending at Doctor’s Cove on a counterclockwise relay swim around the island despite winds up to 20 knots and unruly seas under the escort of Bottom Scratcher and Catalina Channel Swimming Federation observers Don Van Cleve, Jodi DiLascio and Roxanne Hipolito.

As Seen On TV



On 0 July 2016 around 10 pm, the "As Seen On The Internetz" relay team started at Cabrillo Beach, California. Relay order was Peter Hayden, Susanne Baab-Simpson, Dan Simonelli, Eileen Span, Russ Parker, and Lynn Kubasek. Kayakers were Audrey Viers, John Blair, and Nan Kappeler. The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation Observers were Theo Schmeeckle and Mallory Mead. The relay finished at Long Point, Catalina just after noon on 10 July after 14 hours 2 minutes and 25 seconds. There was lots of great phosphorescence at night, but no marine life sightings.

Farallon Islands Relay

Melissa King, Lynn Kubasek, Kim Chambers, Cathy Delneo, Laura Vartain Horn and Patti Bauernfeind swam from the Golden Gate Bridge to the South Farallons Island in 16 hours 29 minutes. The six hardy women went through three rotations on their relay through the Red Triangle (watch visual gallery here). "The seas, generally 15-20 feet, were larger than the escort boat," said Vito Bialla, the team's pilot. "Plus it was cold: 49°F (9.5°C), but the enthusiasm and passion of the women never wavered."

Videos



Ventura Deep Enders from San Nicholas Island to San Pedro


Courtesy of Lynn Kubasek of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association
The Deep Enders relay swam from San Nicolas Island to San Pedro, California on 12-13 October 2015 on an unprecedented 112.8 km crossing of 33 hours 37 minutes 26 seconds. Coached by Theo Schmeeckle, the team comprised of Zach Jirkovsky, Jim McConica, John Chung, Stacey Warmuth, Tom Ball and Tamie Stewart. Escort kayakers and support crew included Allen Ball, Jill Ball, Bob Howell, Patty Howell, Pam Jirkowsky and Carol Lacy. The Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association observers were Lynn Kubasek and Jax Cole. The swim was guided by Bottom Scratcher with captain Greg Elliot, Craig and Danny.

The Long Swim

Jamie Patrick's support crew on The Long Swim was Jim Patrick, his wife Teresa Patrick, Matt Richardson, Jen Schumacher, Janet Manning, Breanne Melconian, Lynn Kubasek, Asha Allen, Brian Patterson, Keith Metzger, and Morgan Christian. He lasted nearly 18 hours in the water before abandoning his swim at the request and recommendations of his support crew.

Anacapa Island Circumnavigation


by swimmers Ned Denison, Liz Fry, and Fionnuala Walsh, escorted by Ben Pitterle, fed by Barbara Flanagan, and observed by Theo Schmeeckle and Lynn Kubasek.

External links

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