Hey all,

Just wanted to give you all an update on the 4th of July swim from Nimbus flat
at lake Natoma up to the rainbow bridge after Negro bar.
Lisa Martinez and I where representing DAM at this swim.
Since the organization of the swim would be in big trouble if there were any
signs of an organized swim going on(because of liability and insurance issues)
we kinda all started whenever we were ready so some people left earlier some
later. I think there must have been about 20 people swimming and there were some
Kayaks. Ryan and Jon took Ryan's parents Kayaks and stayed with me and Lisa,
since we were one of the few people without wet suits.
The water I think must have been 57-59 all the way up, so I didn't feel like I
was warming up at all during the whole swim.
Jon stayed with Lisa the whole way and she didn't stop at all during the 4.5
miles. Ryan stayed with me and I stopped every once in a while to drink water or
eat a gel (man those things are nasty!). I finished at exactly 3hrs but I think
it took me 1hr to go from Negro bar to the bridge. The current was pretty strong
and if I stopped at all i would immediately start drifting back towards Natoma.
I was tired cold and cranky but just put my head down and kept on going. I think
what really made me want to finish was seeing this guy in a wetsuit trying so
hard to move forward and just swimming in place while I stood drinking water in
a shallower part of the river. I thought if he's not giving up I can't give up
either!
I think there were some people that got pulled out by the kayaks due to
hypothermia, but overall i think everyone finished and felt pretty good (after
some food and a nap!).

Thank you Chuck for posting this swim to the group. Us DAM swimmers had a great
time and we'll be back next year for sure!

(sorry for the long post!)

Isabel
Davis Aquatic Masters