Not exactly a Montgomery topic, but it was none the less a great boating
adventure. Last Saturday I paddled my kayak 28.5 miles, escorting a swimmer
circumnavigating Manhattan Island. My job was to protect the swimmer,
monitor his condition and provide encouragement. There was also a power
boat escorting the swimmer from which he was fed and coached. They
generally kept a considerable distance from the swimmer, giving me
directions to convey, for I was mostly within 20 feet of him the entire
race.
The weather was heavy rain at times, but no wind. I was well protected with
rain gear and a spray skirt. Like the Manhattan Island Foundation (the
folks who organize the race) say, "It's all about the swimmers". And it is.
I was in awe for 28 1/2 miles that this 62 year old man kept going stroke
after stroke, breath after breath and never even came close to giving up.
Jim Meier of New York City is my hero. Well, yes he was in shape, but for
me this was a new definition of being is shape. I've run marathons, but if
you need to stop, you can. If you need to stop while swimming around
Manhattan, you sink. Jim finished the race in a little over 9 hours.
For me, the event was a great experience. I've always wanted to
circumnavigate Manhattan in a sailboat, but couldn't do it because of the
twenty bridges involved, many not passable with even an M15. This was my
opportunity and it was a great group of people to do it with. I've lived
here all my life, but now that I've circumnavigated that island, well now
it's mine.
Here's a link to the event;
http://www.nycswim.org/Event/Event.aspx?Event_ID=1635
Rick Langer
Folbot Aleut
"North River Rat"
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