To Catalina by committee

Getting to Catalina Island usually takes less than two hours by boat. But Lindsey Eastman’s planning to take the — you might say — more scenic route. She plans to swim it. It’ll take about 20 hours, but at least she won’t be alone.

Eastman, 22, of Huntington Beach and five friends will set out at 10 p.m. on April 13 on a journey to cross the channel between the Southern California coast at Palos Verdes and Parsons Landing in Catalina Island to raise money for charity. Then they will almost immediately swim back to either Manhattan Beach or Newport Beach.

The six intercollegiate swimmers plan to cross the chilly waters clad only in regulation Speedo swimsuits, bathing caps, goggles and a whole lot of Vaseline. Swimming in pairs, they will alternate in hour-long shifts in the water swimming, and two hours out of water on the boat.

Every inch of exposed skin and other areas coming in contact with suit straps and such will be covered in the clear petroleum jelly, Eastman said.

“It insulates against the cold and prevents chaffing in the saltwater,” she said. When they’re not swimming between the Newport and Balboa piers in Newport Beach, the group — some of whom live as far off as Ontario — practice in swimming pools wearing blue jeans. The weight and pull of the denim helps simulate the ocean current, Eastman said.

“Some people gain 40 pounds for races like this,” Eastman said. “Obviously we can’t do that because we’re only a month out, but most are just trying to maintain their weight.”

After room for the resting swimmers has been factored in, only five spots remain on the boat for passengers and medical staff in case of emergencies, Eastman said.

One of those spots will be auctioned off for charity on eBay. The auction is scheduled to begin Saturday, Eastman said. The team’s website, www.valorswim.org, will display link to the auction on Saturday, she said.

“At first it was about the challenge but then it became something bigger,” Eastman said.

Early on the group decided to make it about more than their own personal challenge. Sponsorships from Starbucks, Speedo, Ugg Australia and David Blair Photography have helped the group raise thousands of dollars for charity, Eastman said.

Eastman plans to give the money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Louis Boehle, who attends California Baptist University with Eastman, first thought of the relay swim in 2005 after writing an article about a man who swam the distance solo. The two chewed over the idea, but eventually they decided to put it off.

But three weeks ago Eastman revisited the plan, and the two decided to make a go of it before she moves to Ireland this summer.

“She told me let’s do it before we finish school, while we are still capable,” Boehle said. So he contacted another four classmates and training began. The group has scheduled only six weeks of training.

Four kayakers — including Eastman’s brother Bobby Eastman, 24, of Huntington Beach — will keep tabs on the swimmers.

The boat trailing the swimmers plays a crucial role. It carries the swimmers between their shifts in the water and a medic in case of emergencies, and the boat’s driver has to keep the swim on a straight path.

“The boat has to keep them navigating on the straightest course possible going very slow, putting it in gear and taking it out, making corrections for longitude and latitude,” said Greg Elliot, owner and captain of the Bottom Scratcher, a boat that serves Catalina swimmers.

But he won’t be along for this ride.

“They’re going to be cold,” Elliot said after hearing about the proposed springtime swim. “I have eight to 10 [already reserved] for the summer, but not this time of year.”

Although the group originally planned to end the swim in Manhattan Beach, they may have turned their eyes farther south to Newport Beach where they practice each weekend, Eastman said.

The ominous Friday the 13th start date has held no sway over the swimmers.

“I am a Christian, and I don’t believe in superstition,” Boehle said. “I wanted to do this to minister to kids so that they know there is still hope and still good things working for them.”