:wave:Hi everyone. I am new to this forum but not new to swimming. Before my husband and I retired and moved here to Roatan (island north of mainland Honduras in the western Caribbean), I belonged to the San Mateo Masters Marlins in Northern California. I was a backstroker and 800 m free swimmer, and I always went to the USMS Nationals and did pretty well (top 3 usually). I have swum two great distances when I was in my 30s and 40s. Now, I am 58, overweight, but still manage to place either 2nd or 3rd in the one mile triathlon swim held here each March (23 minute mile) as the oldest and fattest (weight doesn't seem to hinder, only help in the ocean).
I have decided to attempt to swim from Roatan to the island of Utila (west of here) in about a year and a half. The distance is approx 18 miles and the water is deep (25,000 feet in one place Cayman Trench :bow:
This first year will be pre-training year. At the end of this, I will know for certain if I have a good shot at the swim in June 2008. I have been researching the swim and so far no one as either attempted it nor swam it. I figure I might as well be the first as I will be 60 that year and this will be a birthday present to myself (LOL !).
Has anyone heard of anyone else doing this particular swim? And, would anyone be interested in doing the swim? Of course the monies I hope to get from sponsors will be donated to three causes: Alzheimers (my mom is dying from this now), the Marine Park here on the island to stop poaching and save our reef, and to animal health here on the island (hundreds of junkyard dogs with no homes or food).
I'd appreciate any feedback from any of you. Before I became an ocean swimmer, I always had a motto:
Chlorine is the breakfast of champions!!
your new island friend,
Donna
Donna, you rock. :groovy: I could never attempt such a swim for fear of drowning or sharks or worse. It's very admirable that you're doing this for yourself and to help others. I'm glad that there are people like you around. :applaud: Good luck!
Wow, sounds awesome! What is the farthest open water you have done? I don't know if I'm also insane or what, but this sounds interesting. I did the St Croix 5 mi last year - it was fantastic. It would be important to find someone that swims the same pace. And proper vessel support. Have you arranged anything like this before? Have you checked out "Swimming to Antarctica" by Lynne Cox? Great motivational reading as well as some good info.
Hi Paul,
Yes, insanity plays a factor in something like this (LOL). The farthest I have swum was 23 miles back in the 90s. And I know that anyone who might attempt this with me that we would absolutely have to swim the same pace or have two different escort boats. But the thing that drives me is no one has taken a look at this stretch of water as a possible crossing. The good news is the current goes east to west here and Utila is due west so that is a good thing!!! The current can and sometimes does change to hinder a person toward the end of the swim.
I have followed Lynne Cox for years; quite a remarkable person. Check out Roatan and Utila via internet; see what you think. I know you can get a good look at them through Google Earth.
If interested, it is planned for June of 2008.
Donna
:wave:Hi everyone. I am new to this forum but not new to swimming.
Hi Donna
While -again- catching up on my reading, I had to do a double-take
when I first read:
I have decided to attempt to swim from Roatan to the island of Utila (west of here) in about a year and a half.
That is slow. Sorry, couldn't help it!
Hi Donna
While -again- catching up on my reading, I had to do a double-take
when I first read:
That is slow. Sorry, couldn't help it!
Ahmed, :rofl: :rofl:
