Chesapeake Bay Swim – 2008

The following is some news of a different sort – but it’s a big part of how Laura and I spend our free time...

On June 8, Laura and I completed our annual swim across the Chesapeake Bay. It was my 7^th and Laura’s 4^th consecutive time. Whew!

For a little info and background:  The Chesapeake Bay Swim is (in my mind) the premier open water swim race on the east coast. Over 600 people show up for it annually. The race is 4.4 miles long starting on the shores of Sandy Point State Park, crossing the Bay between the twin bridges, and finishing on the shores of Kent Island by Hemingway’s Marina. Swimming that kind of distance is one thing, but for this race, contending with the turbulent and unpredictable conditions is the real challenge. This year was no different.  The main culprit was a flood current that we all had to work against primarily during the second mile of the race.

The uniqueness of this event is unparalleled. Organizers work with local, state and federal officials to pull it off. It is the only time the shipping channel under the bridges is completely closed to boat traffic (and it requires an act of Congress to have it happen). The Coast Guard has the final say whether the event goes off or not. Risk of tragedy is extremely high. Although most people who start get themselves across, there have been a couple of years when 80% have been pulled from the waters before finishing. Safety is paramount and it takes the efforts of hundreds of organizers and volunteers to make it happen. Bottom line: It is an extreme privilege to compete in this race. Laura and I love it.

For the record, I finished in 4^th place overall, and Laura finished in 364^th out of the total 623 men and women who started. Just getting across is always a worthy goal (this year 602 actually made it all the way across). We are both pleased with our final results. Of special note… Laura was one of the very few who competed without a wetsuit – just to make things a little tougher.

Finally, the race is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes and for the preservation of the Bay’s health through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Since the event was started, over $1,000,000 has been raised.

Here are a few pictures to give you a very small idea of what this event is all about.

 

 

Comments

[Barbara]

Rob and Laura:

What an impressive accomplishment for each of you! Three cheers!!! All the photos are marvelous. What a crowd. What a looonngg swim . . . and in such choppy water. Clearly this was no swim in the park. Glad you are back safe and sound on solid ground.

Barbara