August 26, 2009
Gearing Up for Malibu
BY: Jon Frank
The forms are turned in, the roster is set and, hopefully, the training is well on its way. For the third time this year, Team Oceana will compete in a Nautica-sponsored triathlon and challenge its athletes not only to race, but also to raise money for Oceana’s ocean conservation programs.Whereas Team Oceana’s inaugural roster for April’s Nautica South Beach Triathlon consisted of just two Wavemakers, the team expanded to seven Wavemakers for July’s New York City event and now boasts fifteen Wavemakers and one Oceana staff member (yours truly) for September’s Malibu race weekend. Additionally, top age-group triathlete and 2008-2009 All American Julia Van Cleave will sport Oceana’s logo during Saturday’s Olympic Distance race.For my part, I’m racing as an individual on Sunday (9/13) and as part of a relay team on Saturday (9/12). Joining me for the relay are Wavemakers Rebecca Tannebring and Robert Cannon. Both Rebecca, a UCSB graduate student, and Robert, a physician and PADI instructor, bring a passion for the oceans and a flare for fitness. In fact, the team is cluttered with ocean-nuts, including Louis Linsmeyer, who moved from Chicago to California to be closer to the sea and Julie Leonardo, an original Team Oceana member in South Beach, who recently volunteered her time to help Oceana during the SeaChange Summer Party at Villa di Sogni in Laguna Beach.With only 3 weeks to go until race weekend, I’m really excited to be part of such a positive and inspiring group of people. You should email me if you’re interested in getting advance notice about our 2010 races (Nautica Triathlons in South Beach, NYC and Malibu), or if you’d like to explore entering Team Oceana in others events.Also, if you’re in the charitable spirit, please check out my personal fundraising page and help the cause!