In the Water
Background
Darren E. Miller, 28 of Delmont, Pennsylvania has been an avid athlete and swimmer throughout his entire life. Miller not only swam for Franklin Regional High School, where he still volunteers as a coach, but has also swam at the collegiate level for Penn State University. Now, a private investment banker and pursuing a Sport and Exercise Psychology Masters degree at Chatham University, Miller is training to become the first to complete the “Ocean’s Seven” Challenge.
Training
In order to build his endurance and prepare for physically challenging open water swims and events, Miller follows a strict training regimen. This regimen varies according to the particular swim, but includes proper nutrition and physical conditioning through distance running, cycling and swimming challenges prior to each marathon swim. His primary training ground is Keystone Lake in the Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania, as well as occasional destination swims around the country. Miller also realizes the importance of acclimatizing his body to different swimming environments and temperatures, as he follows the original laws of the English Channel Swimming Association. The rules require participants to swim in a Speedo, cap and goggles, despite potentially harsh weather conditions. To build his body’s cold water tolerance, Miller swims outdoors year round, takes only cold showers and maintains a low temperature in his home throughout the season. Miller is also active and supportive within the open water swimming industry, regularly volunteering to assist, kayak and support his peers during their swims.
- Manhattan Island Marathon Swim: June 2012
- 26-Mile Red River Swim: Saturday, July 21, 2012
Grand Forks, North Dakota - Oslo, Minnesota
Life Goals
Following his completion of his first channel swim, the English Channel, Miller set an ambitious goal, to swim what is regarded as the world’s seven most difficult channel swims by 2013. This challenge, dubbed the “Ocean’s Seven”, has never been accomplished by anyone to date. Since then, Miller has also completed swims across the Catalina and Molokai Channels. 100% of all donations contributed in honor of Miller’s efforts benefit the “Forever Fund” and Team Forever, which is Miller’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages contributions towards the “Forever Fund.” The “Forever Fund” is a charitable foundation that Miller and Cathy Cartieri Mehl have established. This foundation 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.
Scheduled Swims
- The English Channel - Completed (July 2010)
- The Catalina Channel - Completed (August 2011)
- The Molokai Channel - Completed (October 2011) *New World Record
- The Tsugaru Channel - July 2012
- The Strait of Gibraltar - September 2012
- The Cook Strait - March 2013
- The North Channel - August 2013