From: Isabel <zabelf11@...>
Subject: [openwaterswimmers] awesome 4th of July swim
To: openwaterswimmers@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2009, 12:23 PM

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