I just saw this:
"After swimming alone in a daring solo crossing of Lake Superior last August, and having set 14 records swimming across all five Great Lakes, ultra-marathon athlete Jim Dreyer announced on June 22 that he now has his sights on setting the world distance record for a continuous swim. Dreyer plans to begin his attempt on Friday, September 1st (weather permitting), making a minimum of 31 consecutive crossings of the turbulent Straits of Mackinac, while once again swimming unescorted."
www.chicagoaa.com/.../DireStraitsannounced.html
Originally posted by Matt S
I respect his dedication to a good cause--raising money for Big Brothers and Sisters. I think he is a phenominal athlete.
I also think he is out of his mind swimming without an escort boat. This swim has plenty of challenging conditions, and if he was only after the achievement, there are ways to set the ground rules such that the boat is no help. The only think doing it unescorted accomplishes is making it much more dangerous than it needs to be. Taking necessary risks to do great things is admirable. Taking unnecessary risks is idiotic show boating.
Also, who's gonna comfirm his count that he really made the 31 crossings he needs? There are process reasons FINA requires witnesses for officially recognized endurance records.
Matt
I wondered about the lack of escort boat also. If he makes it, and I certainly hope he does, he could be sending the message to less skilled but no less risk taking swimmers to do the same thing. Sure there will be the "don't try this at home, kids" disclaimers, but that's exactly what people will do.
Originally posted by Matt S
I respect his dedication to a good cause--raising money for Big Brothers and Sisters. I think he is a phenominal athlete.
I also think he is out of his mind swimming without an escort boat. This swim has plenty of challenging conditions, and if he was only after the achievement, there are ways to set the ground rules such that the boat is no help. The only think doing it unescorted accomplishes is making it much more dangerous than it needs to be. Taking necessary risks to do great things is admirable. Taking unnecessary risks is idiotic show boating.
Also, who's gonna comfirm his count that he really made the 31 crossings he needs? There are process reasons FINA requires witnesses for officially recognized endurance records.
Matt
I wondered about the lack of escort boat also. If he makes it, and I certainly hope he does, he could be sending the message to less skilled but no less risk taking swimmers to do the same thing. Sure there will be the "don't try this at home, kids" disclaimers, but that's exactly what people will do.
