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Paddle Now! Swim Support EventsFor over a dozen years now, the Chesapeake Paddlers Association has been cooperating
with swimming events around the Chesapeake Bay area. As kayakers we can offer a unique
form of assistance to swimmers in the water. Our fast, quiet, human powered craft can
get close to swimmers, safely. We can talk to and encourage swimmers during events,
carry provisions during long swims, and even help rescue swimmers who cannot complete
an event. Kayaks are often the only craft allowed into the same lanes as swimmers
during an event. In order to inform members about this unique opportunity to help out
during swim events and to celebrate the past successes of such events, experiences,
memories, and valuable information will be collected here for us all to share.
Watch the Calendar and Forums
for more information on these swim support events. And read some of the
newsletter
articles resulting from past swim events.
Swim Supports:
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Great Chesapeake
Bay Swim Support |
Photo by Elizabeth Malby - Baltimore Sun. |
During the month of June, the
Great Chesapeake Bay Swim event is held. Two swims are held at the
same time at opposites sides of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Annapolis;
a 1 Mile Swim and a 4.4 Mile Swim crossing the Bay under the bridge. Each
event has over 600 participants in the water at the same time. Kayak support
is essential. |
The CPA started supporting this swim event
over 12 years ago. Some of the incredible volunteers who stepped up to
take on the organizational leads of providing kayak support to the Great
Chesapeake Bay Swim over the years are:
- Chris Conklin - 4.4 Mile Organizer,
- Ron Casterline - 4.4 Mile Organizer
- Mike VanDamm - 4.4 Mile Organizer
- Allen Avery - 1 Mile Organizer
- Dan Hoke - 1 Mile Organizer
- Peter Fuchs - 1 Mile Organizer
- Cyndi Janetzko - 4.4 Mile Organizer
- Dave Biss - 4.4 Mile Organizer
Also involved in coordinating this swim are:
- Dan Jarzynski - Swim Safety Fleet Coordinator
- Vicki Saxon - Swim Race Coordinator
- Chuck Nabit - SWim Event Coordinator
These individuals have worked hard with the Swim Safety Committee to
make the kayak support possible and the event safe for everyone.
In the past few years, a Swim Support Training Event has been
held through the club which has been intended to offer people experience
with the following: understand a swimmer's point of view, logistics of
the different swim events, recognizing a swimmer in distress, helping
a swimmer, open water kayak re-entries and rescues. The next scheduled
time for this class will be May,
2008.
The most recent Great Chesapeake Bay Swim event was scheduled on the
CPA calendar for June
10, 2007.
Some organizational; and informational materials which have resulted
from past Great Chesapeake Bay Swim events are here:
Some photographs from past events can been seen here:
2007 Bay Swim Support - Photos by Page Downer
2007 Bay Swim - Photos by Manuel Vera
2006 Bay Swim - Photos by Ed Johnson, Ed Hershon and Dave Biss
2005 Bay Swim 1 Mile Event - Photos by Jesse Aronson
Just some quotes from past events:
Quote: Peter Cattaneo (6/11/2007)
First off thanks to you and Cyndi
for coordinating the kayak support yesterday. You did a great job
once again.
The ultimate gratification came
for me when the guy I brought in 4th to last said, "Thanks, I couldn't
have made it without you." He had a LOT of trouble getting under
the bridge at the last turn against the current and I kept encouraging
him to keep trying, that he hadn't come all that way to give up
now, just a little further... He finally reluctantly agreed to hang
on for just a few minutes and I think that gave him both the positive
and negative incentive to keep going. It was a major struggle that
he earned for himself stroke by stroke, clearly fighting the inner
demons of pain and determination. Once he passed the embankment
and I told him he could walk he was so relieved that he had made
it. He said " That was my first and last swim - I just wanted to
check it off."
It was his day after all.
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Quote: Cheryl Wagner
Bay Swimmer & Potomac Swim Director (6/12/2007)
Many thanks to all of you who
supported the Bay swim. I only swam the 1 mile this year (didn't
get selected for the 4.4 mile lottery) but it was so nice to look
up while swimming and see many of my CPA friends.
Many thanks also to all of you who supported the Potomac Swim. I
am so impressed by the dedication and expertise of the wonderful
group who came out. It is so critical to the success of the event
to have you there. Each swimmer depends on you for guidance and
safety.
Thank you again!
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Potomac River
Swim Support |
Early in the Month of June, the Potomac River Swim is held.
This event is a 7 1/2 mile swim across the mouth of the river. Kayakers
support swimmers in a one-on-one scenerio. Kayakers are also used as further
support and sweep. Volunteers are provided camping in Lookout State Park;
dinner the night before; and transportation across the river prior to
the swim event start.
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Cheryl Wagner on VHF
- Photo by Manuel Vera |
Organizers for this event have been:
- Cheryl Wagner - Swim Event Organizer
- Chris Bresnan - Kayak Support Organizer
Cheryl Wagner has a
swim event site which you can access.
The most recent Potomac River Swim Support event was scheduled on
June 2, 2007.
Some photographs from past events can be seen here:
2007 Potomac River Swim Support - Photos by Manuel Vera
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Annual Maryland Swim For Life |
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The Annual Maryland Swim for Life is located on Rolph's Warf
on the Chester River. Kayak support is needed for various length swim events.
The most recent Annual Maryland Swim for Life was scheduled for June
16, 2007.
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Save the Patapsco Hun Swim |
Joe Stewart has held an annual swim to increase awareness
of the health of the Patapsco River (Baltimore Harbor) and raise funds
for its protection. He swims across the mouth of the Patapsco, outside
the Key Bridge, from North Point State Park to Venice on the Bay, around
4 miles in open water.
The most recent Save the Patapsco Hun Swim was scheduled for May
21, 2006.
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