Sunday, June 14, 2015

Golden Gate to Aquatic Park

March 18, 2015 found Jacee in San Francisco for an exciting swim.

It was to be an intriguing morning, swimming for the first time from the Golden Gate Bridge to Aquatic Park. Paddy and Bob would be our technical crew for this swim. It was a beautiful San Francisco Morning, the excitement of seeing Paddy and Bob again was the main focus, of course the swim was the key to our gathering.

As we prepared the kayak for the journey, we enjoyed our moments and memories of our previous adventures with Bob and Paddy. Thank you to you both!

As dawn was breaking the kayak was placed in the water by Jacee and Paddy. Bob boarded the kayak followed by Paddy and finally Jacee.

The three of them headed out to the Golden Gate and positioned the kayak for Jacee's jump.

As I looked at the kayak with the three of them, it looked miniscule compared to the huge towers of the Golden Gate Bridge. Oh, I had seen the towers on several occasions but seeing them this way gave me a different perspective. Once again realizing how incredible the skills are to even attempt these types of swims. Jacee has been swimming these swims since she was seven years old.

As Jacee jumped the clock started and she headed to her destination, Aquatic Park.

It was incredible to see how swiftly she started. As she continued her swimming she picked up speed but the cross current at times, seemed to halt her progress. Those are the moments of open water that experience teaches keep going even when your progress is slowed, you will get to your destination.

Interestingly enough, after the three passed my position on shore, they seem to move more swiftly. I headed to aquatic park. By the time, I arrived it was over an hour after the start of the swim. Patiently, I waited for them to come into view. Then they were in front of me, Jacee swimming easy and relaxed, Bob and Paddy paddling along. Jacee seemed to be playing in the water as she has most of her open water swimming career. She loves to swim and continues to do most every day.

This day would be a quiet end to her swim with just Mom cheering her finish and thanking Bob and Paddy as they paddle away. Jacee successfully, completed her swim in 1:28.00. She was happy and relaxed. This swim was shorter than her daily workouts so, this was just plain fun.

Thank you Bob and Paddy for the continuing Memories and Friendship!

Xterrawetsuits continues to sponsor Jacee For Kids.

The House of Rice is another on going sponsor of Jacee for Kids

Thank you to all of your who support our journey of helping kids in swimming!



TikiSwim 4

TikiSwim 4 was September 29, 2014

It was a beautiful day to be standing at the oceans door. Today, the final check-in was busy with the excitement of many athletes, being skillfully directed by the TikiSwim crew and volunteers. Each person met up with the friends and competitors. Each athlete had begun their preparation for the swim that would start in the next 30 minutes.

Today, would be just another race for Jacee Frivaldo and Carson Gossler who have been doing this swim since its first year. What is so phenomenal about the swim is that you start in the same place and finish in the same place but, no one swim is the same. As open water swimmers say, welcome to open water where no one day is the same.

The youth from the Catalina Channel Relays were well represented - The Children's Crusade Relay and The Channel Cat's. Spencer, Ethan, Jacee, Carson, Cayden, Valerie and Colin. As excited as they all were to see one another, this was an individual race the challenge was on!

As the horn sounded the sea of swimmers jumped in and got caught up in the surf. Except for a select few. Those were the ones that road the waves out successfully. Trust me, it did not look easy for those swimmers either. The surf had delayed the start for the race and would end the race for others.

Those that escaped the surf were off and the thrust of the current would decrease the overall speed for a period of time. But finally, the current relented and the lead swimmers began to make headway toward the turn 2 miles away.

As the lead swimmer entered the marina with a kayaker to guide his swim the pack followed.

Ethan McVeigh was the second swimmer that kept a close eye on the lead swimmer. The remaining swimmers swiftly followed. The first female came into site only to discover there were two female swimmers challenging one another to the finish. With each stroke who would win was the question at hand. The young ladies pushed each other to the finish. In the end, only one would finish first.
As they exited the water Haley Chasin would edge out Jacee Frivaldo by the elusive 3 hundreds of a second.

Congratulations, Haley!

We never want to forget our fabulous training partners from La Jolla Cove Swim Club that continue to encourage our youth to reach for the seas. Doug Burleigh, Kim Miller great job in your race. Thank you for all of your support!