Multi-tasking. Short attention span. Boredom.

They all mean the same to Linda Moran.

It’s why she’d been competing in triathlons since 1999. The multi-sport suits her mind-set; about the time she becomes bored with one of the disciplines, it’s time to move on to the next.

"I can’t swim really far, I can’t bike really far, I can’t run very far, but with triathlons each part is an accomplishment," the 58-year-old said. "You start getting bored and it’s time to focus on something different. You’re done, then done, then done."

The first discipline — the swim — was the most challenging. Tired of being one of the last out of the water — the only positive was easily finding her bike in the transition area — Moran decided to strengthen her weakest link.

"I had some of the best out there trying to teach me — Brent Imomen, Peter Hursty, the Flanagans — and I was hopeless," she said. "I came down to Sans Souci with the Waikiki Swim Club and started swimming in the ocean.

"What I love about ocean swimming is the freedom. You’re not looking at the bottom of a pool, you’re looking at the beauty all around you. When do you get to see the island from that viewpoint? A boat costs money. With swimming, all you have to do is put on a pair of goggles and get out there."

And so it has been with her continued participation in the North Shore Swim Series. The 25th edition of the four-swim event opens Saturday with the Aloha Salads Summer Sprint, a 1-mile race from Sunset Beach to Pipeline.

The races increase in distance, culminating with the Aug. 3 North Shore Challenge, a 2.3-mile swim from Pipeline to Waimea Bay.

The interest in the swim has also increased, with more than 300 pre-registered for the entire series. Moran, who also helps with registration, said Saturday’s entries are expected to pass 700; in 2000, the series opener drew 372.

"Last year, we signed up 100 on the beach," said Chris Gardner, the race director for the past 18 years. "I think there’s a couple of reasons that we’ve grown, the first being that triathlons have gotten so big. Some of those triathlons can have 1,800 and that mass (swim) start can be very intimidating. Our races let people learn what swimming in a group is all about, how to draft, how to turn on the buoys.

"Swimming is the top fitness sport behind running and walking. There is less impact on the body and you can do it for as long as you can get in the water. We’ve had to add another age group, the 66-70. I know at some point, we’ll be going up to 71-75. It’s so inspiring to us to see these older competitors."

Gardner, a former pro surfer, said the series also promotes the legacy of surfing in Hawaii. The courses are along some of the most famous surf spots in the world and where events such as the Eddie Aikau and Triple Crown are held.

A bonus, Moran said, is the marine life. Turtles, dolphins and fish add to the race experience.

"The series is so well-organized and you’re swimming where you wouldn’t by yourself," said Moran, who owns Corrosion Cops with Rich, her husband of 36 years. "It is safe and you’ll finish. Even if you don’t physically finish, someone will pick you up and bring you in.

"I like this first race the best. It’s the shortest and it gets everything started."

Moran also got her two children started in the sport while Matthew and Samantha were in their teens. Samantha went on to swim for Colorado State and Matthew, an Air Force captain, is the fastest when it comes to the swim portion of the military physical testing, according to his mom.

"I gave up drinking and started racing," Moran said. "I wanted to be a good example for my children. Swimming is a life-time sport."

It’s just part of her fitness regimen, which includes ballet, tai chi, pilates, yoga and golf.

She also has created her own triathlon: volunteering with Waikiki Swim Club, Hawaii Bicycling League and Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club.

Boredom now is rarely a training partner.