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
On Gail Rice's solo swim attempt from Bimini's Cat Cay (50-60 miles to Miami, across the Gulf Stream) I took a FINA official as an observer on our mother ship for one purpose - to objectively verify it as a pure swim without shark cage or wetsuit or any other aid. (I pulled Gail from the water at the 40+ mile mark because of medical issues as a result of jellyfish stings –was a superhuman effort and beach condos on Florida’s shores were visible). While not mandatory I wanted an impartial observer with swimming credentials so there could be no questions with Gail's effort. There is a program and form available from the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF)for recording open water swims not under the jurisdiction of another organization or group. These forms were/are? kept at the International Swimming Hall of Fame. I also used them for several swims including Gail’s first successful swim around Miami Beach (21 miles) and around Sanibel Island (22+ miles) and for Ron Collin's successful first ever swim up Tampa Bay (24 miles). My impression is that these forms are for recording any and all swims even if aid is used. If anyone wants the form email me offline.
Originally posted by Matt S
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 When did FINA get in the business of officially recognizing open water endurance records?
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.
It's too bad he's doing it on Friday, 9/1/06. He should wait until Labor Day when they shut the Mackinac Bridge for the Governor and everyone to walk over it.
He would have alot of support from the people on the bridge.
