Monday, April 30, 2012

Good Morning Arizona

View the video of some of the kids that returned from the Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Swims. http://www.azfamily.com/good-morning-arizona/Young-Arizona-swimmers-complete-Alcatraz-Golden-Gate-swims-147790725.html

Swimming from Alcatraz and Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge 2012

April 13, 2012

 Early in the Morning Jacee got up and met her Coaches and teammate for the test swim for the Annual Alcatraz Swim. Bob Roper and Paddy were the diligent planners for the swim, they really know their business! Leaving the hotel there was a very nice drizzle coming down, by the time the boat took the swimmers out for their swim the drizzle had stopped. The morning air was damp and chilly at 49 degrees. The Star Princess was the hold up for the jump it would cross the path of the swimmers twenty minutes into the swim. The jump was delayed. It was dawn as they jumped and Jacee said, “That was the darkest swim she had done.” She was very happy because the swim was fun; she and Braxton enjoyed swimming together. . They came in and said the air was colder than the water. They had fun finishing the swim in about thirty minutes.


April 14, 2012

Jacee met with the entire team to jump for the team swim. Wow, was that exciting! There were many new faces and some familiar faces. It was nice to see how Brandon had brought some great swimmers, from the local area including his one special swimmer. What an exciting day for everyone! The water was calm for an Alcatraz Swim but the current as everyone knows picks up quickly. Today would not be any different. The horn went off, the swimmers jumped into the water and within 20 minutes the first swimmers were in view from the shore of Aquatic Park. Who were they and how long would they take coming in? They were very quick, 26 minutes to be exact. Jacee was the second finisher overall and the first female finisher. The sixteen year old male did very well! Great work to all of the awesome swimmers! Many of you know who you are and if you do not just look in the mirror. Many of the first time swimmers did wonderfully, even after the current picked up and they had to re-target their swims. Every child completed the swim, congratulations to all of you! Heading to Ghirardelli Square for the traditional ice cream treat is very important! Having a super meal with friends, family and swimmers, and off to bed to rest, for the Golden Gate Bridge Crossing.


April 15, 2012 Yes, Jacee’s taxes are done! We headed off early to the Hyde Street Pier, shortly after the meeting time everyone walked to the boats heading for the jump sight (from the boat) to swim the Span of the Golden Gate Bridge. With plenty of candied ginger in hand, the trip would become noteworthy for those that have trouble with waves. Thirty-minutes later we arrived at the jump sight. The cargo ship has priority as usual! Thank you, Bob Roper for keeping us safe from marine traffic! The jump commenced with all swimmers leaving from both sides of the boat, excitement filled the air and the cold water soothed the upset tummies from the ride over. Jacee jumped from the ocean side of the boat, (no nautical terms here) and began her quick stretch to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The seas were choppy but no large waves. As Jacee passed the North Tower she stopped for a moment and then began swimming again. She stopped again and proceeded again. A seal lion was playing with Jacee. She kept swimming but something was tickling her hands, feet and occasionally her tummy. Her friend continued to tickle and swim around her until she approached the boat, the sea lion swam on. Jacee came in completing the swim as the first female finisher, and second overall. What a fun day of swimming as she came upstairs to have some water, food and cheer her friends onto the boat. Each child and adult was truly excited at the opportunity to do two open water swims that would note their swim career their entire life.
Awesome, job swimmers! Kudos, to the parents and significant others!

Jacee’s Mom