Bert Thomas Monument

Bert Thomas Monument at Ediz Hook in Port Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Larry Estes Clallam County Historical Society

Bert Thomas plaque at the Bert Thomas Monument at Ediz Point in Port Los Angeles

Bert Thomas, namesake for the Bert Thomas Monument in Port Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Marine Digest

The Bert Thomas Monument in Ediz Hook in Port Los Angeles is a memorial to Bert Thomas. who was the first person to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Juan de Fuca Strait) on 8 July 1955 in 11 hours 10 minutes. He also was an English Channel swimmer (in 19 hours 28 minutes).

Strait of Juan de Fuca

The Strait of Juan de Fuca is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean and the international boundary between the United States and Canada. At the age of 29, Thomas swam 18.3 miles (29.4 km) from Port Angeles, Washington in the USA to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada to win $3,500 in prize money. In May 1956, Thomas swam between West Seattle and Tacoma, a distance of 18.5 miles (29.7 km) in 15 hours 23 minutes. In 1958, he attempted to be the first person to accomplish a two-way crossing of the English Channel, but retired due to a leg cramp on the return trip.

External links

• Memorials & Monuments Of Open Water Swimming Greats
• Photos Of Bert Thomas
• Bert Thomas In History
• History Of The Strait Of Juan De Fuca
• Bert Thomas, Strait And Tough As A Marine
• Landmarks, Monuments And Memorials Of Open Water Swimmers
• Memorials & Monuments Of Open Water Swimming Greats
• Chasing Healthy Living And A Healthy Ocean
• Great Open Water Swimmers
• David Yudovin's New Memorial - And Other Landmarks