CHIP ROCK and the CATALINA KID

Heroism is a Choice. Up until 1980, less than 50 brave souls had managed the monumental open-ocean solo swim from the SoCal coast to Catalina Island. But that’s exactly what Cal, a simple burger artist, sets out to do in CHIP ROCK and THE CATALINA KID.

In the fishy coastal town of No Palms, Chip Rock and his pals have aged out of the clammy orphanage known as Boys Hall. 27 miles across the channel, Catalina Island sits in the haze.

CATALINA KID tells the saga of Chip’s lifelong friend, Cal. He’s an industrious yet unsettled dreamer and mere burger-flipper, desperately searching for a meaningful role in his world. Following a seemingly random conversation with a pretty stranger, Cal shocks the community when he embarks on a daring 27-mile open-water swim to Catalina Island.

His daunting attempt will captivate the entire town, including: Haley, the tenacious heart-throb who entangles Cal’s swirling emotions; the grouchy hags at the Women’s Club; and Sherwin, a 5 year-old pipsqueak and cheerleader. As Haley helps in her mysterious ways, and the waves pound the No Palms cliffs, Cal’s harrowing attempt turns perilous, drawing the entire town into the physical and emotional trials of his punishing adventure. Against insurmountable odds, does Cal make it? Or does he get the girl?

From the moment Cal dips his toe in the water, No Palms is riveted with suspense. CATALINA KID reveals the unlikely hero in all of us, and how ordinary people react to extraordinary situations.
CHIP ROCK and the CATALINA KID is the nail-biting sequel to CHIP ROCK and the OLD FART. It can be read alone, but is best read after FAT OLD FART.