Outrider

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

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

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

Outrider

Captain Pittman on the Outrider has an enviable track record of success out in the Catalina Channel. Of his 31 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."

External links

• The Muenzer Family - Mega Logistics At Play Across The Catalina Channel
• Marathon Muenzer Goes Mega
• Be Kind To Your Yacker Week Begins
• Hallucinations In The Open Water, A Future Edition Of WOWSA Live
• Outrider Website
• Catalina Channel Swimming Federation Website
• Outrider In The Daily News
• Open Water Swimming
• John Pittman
• Lance Ogren Completes Triple Crown Of Open Water Swimming
• Lance Ogren Completes Triple Crown Of Open Water Swimming
• 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
• Open Water Swimming
• Marathon Swimming
• Thomas W. Kofler Becomes Italy's First Triple Crowner
• Navigating With The First Couple Of Open Water Swimming
• Pittmans Inducted In Marathon Swimming Hall Of Fame