It was an excellent day for an open water swim and Alcatraz
was the swim of the day. Approximately, one hundred swimmers entered the water
that beautiful day. The water was moving swiftly and the chop was substantial.
The swimmers jumped in one at a time, to promote safety first. The water was a
warm 56 degrees that day and wonderful for the swimmers that did the practice
swims in the very cold Scottsdale Lake. Each swimmer entered the water with
their personal goal in mind.
The swift current from Alcatraz is always an issue but with
the professional help of Bob Roper and his pilot Paddy and the awesome crew and
staff, the swimmers knew the plan and were ready to tackle the intrepid waters
of the San Francisco Bay. The reason for the swim was the Annual Swim from
Alcatraz for F.A.S.T. (The Foundation for
Aquatic Safety and Training). To promote drowning prevention each year for many
people that still need to learn to swim.
Jacee and Cole Whitener were two swimmers that have come
back year after year, swimming this extremely fun and fast swim. The challenge
is always at a personal level because there is a first place finisher that does
not mean there is only one first place finisher. The main goal is for each
person to add to their community. Making a difference in their community
becoming and community leader by focusing on helping others learn to swim, also encouraging a water safety
mindset that will and does help save lives.
This year the first place person was Jacee and Ryan was the
first place male, her challenger from last year. It was interesting Jacee
commented, “The swift choppy water was the toughest in years for Jacee.” She
also stated, “This swim was one of the most enjoyable swims, she has
encountered.”
One special guest that Jacee was able to befriend was Liz
Hunter our official Coast Guard entry. Along with Liz, there are so many
individuals that make it a national and international event. It creates a goal
for many swimmers to focus on during their daily training. The swimmers will take
the experience back to their friends and family to encourage others to focus on
swimming and drowning prevention. Enabling each swimmer to swim the “impossible
swim”!
The day after the infamous Alcatraz Swim, a wonderful
weekend of swimming continued with the Golden Gate Bridge Crossing (GGB). You ask why? The best answer I can think of
and have heard from several swimmers is “Why not”. Well, yes the current is swifter, yes, you
can find yourself swimming in place for several minutes and yes, you never know
what to expect out there. Once again Bob Roper, Paddy and crew know how to
handle the entire process. There are many safety precautions even in the
toughest situations.
This year’s GGB had its stopping point for Jacee. Jacee and
Liz Hunter were off and swimming together once they jumped. Starting in the
middle of the pack Jacee took off passing the entire field to what looked like
a first place finished until the moment came where the destination and current
came together to stop the swimmers. Ryan and his friend found the way out of
the current and finished the race first. Jacee finally, got to her destination
and completed the swim as the first female. This year the focus would be
touching the rock. Having fun in these swims is truly the goal and of course,
first place is in the heart of each swimmer.
Thank you again for the wonderful event planners and
organizers of these annual events!
If this article has piqued your interest here is the link
for this swim. The event planners will help you through the process.
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