October 25, 2011 — Delmont, Pennsylvania, Darren E. Miller successfully completed the 3rd leg of his Ocean‟s Seven Challenge, swimming across the Molokai Channel in record breaking time, on Friday, October 21, 2011. Miller began his journey at 4:54 AM (Hawaiian time zone) and reached shore on Sandy Beach at 5:06 PM (Hawaiian time zone) to become the 16th person to complete this feat. The original record for the typically 12-15 hour swim was 12 hours and 53 minutes, but Miller created a new record by completing it in 12 hours and 12 minutes.
Having swum the Catalina Channel in August 2011 and the English Channel in July 2010, Miller faced new challenges during the 27 mile Molokai Channel swim. The water temperature for the Molokai was in the mid to upper 70‟s, which is significantly warmer than Miller‟s previous two swims. Though there were no tiger sharks sighted during this swim, Miller did suffer a Portuguese Man-O- War sting to his face and overcame a westerly current, which attempted to blow him off course.
According to Miller, “This swim was just so psychologically demanding because there were so many logistical problems I had to overcome regarding tides, swells and wind compared to any of the other swims thus far.” Miller also stated that, “The water was constantly beating me up from about mile 1 until the finish. I was expecting this; however, nothing could prepare me for such an „open water‟ experience.”
During Miller‟s attempt to swim the Molokai Channel, he utilized a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger in order to share his real-time location and progression across the channel with fans and supporters. Miller‟s crew also posted live updates on his Facebook at facebook.com/darrenemiller and Twitter at twitter.com/darrenemiller. Successful completion of the Molokai Channel has brought Miller just four channel swims away from completing his Ocean‟s Seven goal.
The “Ocean‟s Seven Challenge,” has never been accomplished by anyone to date and consists of swimming across seven of the world‟s most difficult channels: the English, Catalina, Molokai and Tsugaru Channels, the Strait of Gibraltar, Cook Strait and Irish Channel. With his “Ocean‟s Seven” goal in sight, Miller hopes to complete his 4th channel, the Tsugaru in July 2012, and complete all seven swims in 2013.
Though completing the “Ocean‟s Seven” challenge is a personal goal of Miller‟s, it also serves a more meaningful purpose for him. Miller is swimming to benefit and raise awareness for Team Forever and the “Forever Fund,” a charitable foundation he played an integral role in establishing along with Cathy Cartieri Mehl and their families. The “Forever Fund” is dedicated to the memory of Mehl‟s father, Anthony Frank Cartieri, and aids families in their struggle to afford the costs associated with infant cardiothoracic surgery that takes place in the cardiothoracic unit of UPMC Children‟s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Team Forever is now a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Miller, which manages contributions to the “Forever Fund.”
Miller is accepting charitable donations through Team Forever towards the “Forever Fund” on his website at darren-miller.com. Contributions may also be made by purchasing EnergyCare USA products through his website. As one of Miller‟s supporting sponsors, EnergyCare will donate 30% of each sale referenced from his page towards the cause. Along with EnergyCare USA, Miller is also sponsored by Trustmont Financial Group, his premier sponsor and East Suburban Sports Medicine Center. Every contribution is important and charitable donations to Team Forever and the “Forever Fund” will not only help save lives, but will provide the opportunity for funding of vital medical research concerning infant cardiothoracic care.
For further information regarding potential sponsorships or arranging interviews and other media development for Darren Miller, Team Forever and the “Forever Fund,” contact Caitlin Vancas at 412-
871-7125. Miller is also available for motivational speaking engagements/appearances and photo or video footage of his endeavors is available upon request.
Team Forever, a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization which manages contributions to the “Forever Fund,” was established by Darren E. Miller, Cathy Cartieri Mehl and their families in December 2009. The “Forever Fund” is a foundation dedicated to the memory of Mehl‟s father, Anthony Frank Cartieri and aids families in their struggle to afford the costs associated with infant cardiothoracic surgery that takes place in the cardiothoracic unit of UPMC Children‟s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The “Forever Fund” not only helps to save lives, but provides the opportunity for funding of vital medical research concerning infant cardiothoracic care. Information pertaining to Team Forever
and the “Forever Fund” can be found on Darren E. Miller‟s website at darren-miller.com.