I’ve completed at least six Save the Bay Narragansett swims, from the Naval Station Newport to Potter Cove in Jamestown. It’s a fabulous gathering of swimmers–of all ages, backgrounds and experiences–at least 500-strong. This year’s swim was scheduled for July 11; it was not to be. It would be a virtual event; the pandemic nixed gatherings of 25, let alone 500-plus.
Save the Bay offered swimmers a number of virtual options, including replicating the 1.7-mile swim (without crossing the channel,) biking, running, kayaking or some combo of those pursuits. The goal was to have fun and raise funds for Save the Bay Narragansett, since the STB swim is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I start most days with a merry, motley band of ocean swimmers in Potter Cove, tucked into the east side of a small island. Our fearless leader Lou was among the original trio who began swimming together more than 15 years ago. Our motto is “No babies!!!!!” All those exclamation points are Lou’s touch. He sends out a weekly email to a long list of swimmers who have joined us over the years: sailors, surfers, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, engineers, educators, lawyers, fishermen, marketing pros and tech folks.
(You can donate to me on my fundraising page at this link and help us #Go ARMY, #Beat NAVY.)
We decided to go beyond the required 1.7-mile usual swim and head for a local pier, hence the name Team Pier Pressure.
Our other fearless leader, Christina Lorenson coaches the U.S. Masters swimming team at the Kent YMCA, insisted on safety protocols–for the water and pandemic. We recruited kayakers to accompany us and reminded everyone to wear masks and keep at least six feet apart on land.
We began gathering at 6:30 a.m. for our 7:30 a.m. start. We had five kayakers and 16 swimmers assembled. Paul Boisvert drove down from Worcester, Massachusetts, to join us. We gathered on the shore for a safety briefing before the start. Most swimmers donned their bright neon buoys in citrus colors of tangerine, lime or lemon.
Christina went over the rules. We agreed to proceed at our own pace but gather at the pier to wait for all swimmers before we returned. Michael Garr, a local swimmer and coach, said a blessing.
And I requested a minute of silence and remembrance for Rep. John Lewis, who had died the night before at the age of 80 after a long, valiant career of service and social justice action. The Power-to-the-People fists in the air are a tribute to the civil rights leader. Rest in Power, John Lewis.
We could not have asked for a better day for a swim. The tide was nearly high, the sun shining, the water flat. We had a decent current against us on the outbound swim. Ken, a local dentist, towed his son Sam in a float ring for the entire distance.
We all swam at our own speeds. We have some speedy swimmers who got to enjoy the view for a while as they waited at the pier for everyone else.
When we returned, we quickly went into brekkie mode. We fired up our camp stoves. Christina cooked pancakes. I cooked chicken sausage and Al made his famous cheese scrambled eggs, provided morning-fresh from Steve’s chickens. (Steve, Al and Christina are our speedy swimmers.)
No-babies!!!! Lou mixed mimosas. We broke bread together. We shared food and stories and laughs on the shore. All while wearing our masks and respecting the governor’s social distancing protocols. A bunch of us said we should make it a regular event: a long swim followed by a shore breakfast.
After months of separation, it was a genuine joy to celebrate a beautiful day and fine swim with friends and family.
We have until August 31 to complete our fundraiser. We have our eyes on first place–naturally. Team NAVY Newport has raised a bit more than $7,000 and we’ve raised roughly $3,600. We’re more than halfway there.
We did the math. If each of us raises $500, we can pass the Navy team for first place. And we help a fine local nonprofit protest our precious water is our Ocean State. Follow my link below to donate. And thank you!
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