A quick note for my long lost friends of Texags H&F board. TLDR version… I'm swimming around Manhattan this summer.
20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan
It's basically what it sounds like. Swim 28.5 miles up the East River, across the Harlem River and down the Hudson River, passing under 20 bridges in the process. https://www.nyopenwater.org/20-bridges-swim/ has additional info, but here are the main points:
- The current is helping pretty much the whole way, so it's actually pretty easy.
- It's not a race, it's a "quiet swim." There are 2 other people doing it on my date, and there are ~100 swimmers that attempt it each year (~1,400 have completed it all-time). Each swimmer has their own kayaker and support boat with a crew, captain and an official "observer."
- No, wetsuits are not allowed. It will be pretty warm - ~75F when I swim.
- Yes, the East River is safe to swim in... kinda. There are some stinky parts. I'm sure it's fine.
- 20B is part of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, along with the English Channel and Catalina Channel
- It will likely take me somewhere between 7-8+ hours. Conditions can make a big difference.
- The record was just broken a few weeks ago - 5:34:58!!! This was the 8th person under 6 hours and another 20 people have been <7 hours.
Wait. Why am I doing this ?
I can do is sum it up with a couple David Goggins quotes...
"...schedule suffering into your day, every day."
30+ years ago a buddy and I heard about this swim and thought it was the craziest thing. A few years ago I met a crew of swimmers that included ~8 guys that have swam 20B, two of which also just recently swam the English Channel. So, it seemed like a good idea and an excuse to schedule in a little suffering every day.
"You mean to tell me you had a bad day? Some people had a bad life. Get over it!"
I've been fortunate that swimming has given me so much, and I want to use this to give back. The three most important things to me are (1) health (2) loved ones and (3) having the financial wellness to enjoy my health and loved ones. Swimming has kept me in great health, provided countless close friendships and driven me to establish a career that provides for my family. With that in mind, I want to support those that are less fortunate through Family Reach, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between people with cancer and their treatment. Please do not feel obligated, but if you are compelled, DM me and I can send the link.
A few important miscellaneous points
I am scheduled to splash at 2:23pm ET from Pier A at the southern tip of Manhattan, probably finishing around 10pm. This link will allow you to track me on the date https://track.rs/NYOW
I couldn't ask for a better "game day" crew...
Crew 1 - local speedster of my NY swim crew and NCAA finalist at ASU. He swam 20B a couple years ago - nearly breaking 7 hours!!
Crew 2 - my old buddy from TX that helped plant this seed 30+ years ago. Swam for multiple NCAA championship teams at UT ~2000 - he would be doing this with me if his shoulders let him... well, actually he would be WAY ahead of me.
Kayaker - professional photographer and veteran 20B kayaker - he was my guide for my 20 mile swim in the Hudson last summer and did an incredible job.
Most importantly, huge HUGE thanks to my wonderful wife for all her support, day in and day out.
20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan
It's basically what it sounds like. Swim 28.5 miles up the East River, across the Harlem River and down the Hudson River, passing under 20 bridges in the process. https://www.nyopenwater.org/20-bridges-swim/ has additional info, but here are the main points:
- The current is helping pretty much the whole way, so it's actually pretty easy.
- It's not a race, it's a "quiet swim." There are 2 other people doing it on my date, and there are ~100 swimmers that attempt it each year (~1,400 have completed it all-time). Each swimmer has their own kayaker and support boat with a crew, captain and an official "observer."
- No, wetsuits are not allowed. It will be pretty warm - ~75F when I swim.
- Yes, the East River is safe to swim in... kinda. There are some stinky parts. I'm sure it's fine.
- 20B is part of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, along with the English Channel and Catalina Channel
- It will likely take me somewhere between 7-8+ hours. Conditions can make a big difference.
- The record was just broken a few weeks ago - 5:34:58!!! This was the 8th person under 6 hours and another 20 people have been <7 hours.
Wait. Why am I doing this ?
I can do is sum it up with a couple David Goggins quotes...
"...schedule suffering into your day, every day."
30+ years ago a buddy and I heard about this swim and thought it was the craziest thing. A few years ago I met a crew of swimmers that included ~8 guys that have swam 20B, two of which also just recently swam the English Channel. So, it seemed like a good idea and an excuse to schedule in a little suffering every day.
"You mean to tell me you had a bad day? Some people had a bad life. Get over it!"
I've been fortunate that swimming has given me so much, and I want to use this to give back. The three most important things to me are (1) health (2) loved ones and (3) having the financial wellness to enjoy my health and loved ones. Swimming has kept me in great health, provided countless close friendships and driven me to establish a career that provides for my family. With that in mind, I want to support those that are less fortunate through Family Reach, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between people with cancer and their treatment. Please do not feel obligated, but if you are compelled, DM me and I can send the link.
A few important miscellaneous points
I am scheduled to splash at 2:23pm ET from Pier A at the southern tip of Manhattan, probably finishing around 10pm. This link will allow you to track me on the date https://track.rs/NYOW
I couldn't ask for a better "game day" crew...
Crew 1 - local speedster of my NY swim crew and NCAA finalist at ASU. He swam 20B a couple years ago - nearly breaking 7 hours!!
Crew 2 - my old buddy from TX that helped plant this seed 30+ years ago. Swam for multiple NCAA championship teams at UT ~2000 - he would be doing this with me if his shoulders let him... well, actually he would be WAY ahead of me.
Kayaker - professional photographer and veteran 20B kayaker - he was my guide for my 20 mile swim in the Hudson last summer and did an incredible job.
Most importantly, huge HUGE thanks to my wonderful wife for all her support, day in and day out.