Final swimmer on Catalina Channel relay team comes ashore at Cabrillo Beach

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Chris Dahowski, one of four local swimmers on a relay team that attempted four consecutive channel crossings from points in the South Bay to Catalina Island, completed on Wednesday afternoon the fourth and final leg of the swim from the island to Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.

A spokesman confirmed that Dahowski, 43, of Valencia had reached shore after the nearly 20-mile swim. Asked how he felt by phone, Dahowski simply said, ‘Tired.’

The group, which intended to raise money through this swim in support of Jay Nolan Community Services, a foundation that serves those with autism and other developmental disabilities, was attempting four consecutive channel crossings, which hadn’t been accomplished in the history of open-water swimming.

That attempt was intact after David Hartmire, 49, of Newhall completed the first leg of the swim, from the mainland to the island, which he began at noon Monday.

But on the second leg of the relay, Michael Vovk, 43, of Castaic, who was swimming from Catalina to the mainland, had to be pulled out of the water after a nearly eight-hour battle against difficult waters and seasickness. Vovk was reportedly in good condition, but disappointed he couldn’t make it.

The third swimmer, Jen Schumacher, 25, of Irvine, completed her leg of the relay, as did Dahowski.

-- Baxter Holmes