Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on Sunday.

Here's a little tidbit on this year's 4.4-mile winner: "The winner was Frederick Hviid with a time of 1.35.57. (He also swam in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics for Spain." Fred won the 1997 European championship in the LCM 400 IM.

I was close to puking for a solid two miles, because of the lovely combination of chop and super warm water. And I also got caught up in the current in the first channel, losing a lot of time. I was maybe a quarter of a mile shy of the 4 mile buoy when a kayaker approached me shouting that we had to get out. I was really bummed until, from the power boat, I actually saw a bolt of lightning strike the water in between the bridges. There were 6 swimmers on board the boat commiserating, and we all fell silent when we saw that. Better safe than sorry ... It seemed like they were taking things very seriously, and working really hard to pull the over 100 swimmers still in the water. We could hear on the radio that they were arresting people who refused to get out, and that a few swimmers in the last stretch had interpreted the command to get out of the water by climbing up on the embankment to walk to the finish. Word on the radio was that those swimmers would not be allowed back in the race in the future, but I don't know if they are going to enforce that. All of that made me feel pretty good about the fact that I swam right for the power boat when I was told to get out. But then last night, when I looked at the results, I saw that a lot of people were allowed to finish long after I was pulled. I was pulled around 2:20 pm, and it looks like people came in until about 2:45. So now I'm back to feeling bummed.

Congrats to everyone who did the swim! It was tough, but a great experience for me. I went a LOT slower than I expected...but at least I got to finish, which was my goal. On a side note, does anyone know where to get those "4.4" stickers (or it might be a magnet....) for your cars? Or were those given out only in years past or something? Thanks!!

I was one of the lucky finishers (actually 44th place 1:55.59). I am very thankful that I decided to go without a wetsuit- I was hot in a regular suit and I was really de-hydrated and cramping up that last mile. They told us before the race that the the currents were not bad this year but everybody I talked to afterward said they swam slower than previous years. I definitely felt the current in the middle - lots of folks were swimming diagonal/sideways at one point. Hate to beat a dead horse but I think I could have placed higher if they did not allow wetsuits. Oh well. It was a fun event and I might even do it again next year. I might even wear a wetsuit and see if I can jump up a few places. If you can't beat them, join them. I recommend this race to anyone looking for a well orgainized, safe and challenging swim.

Congrats to everyone who did the swim! It was tough, but a great experience for me. I went a LOT slower than I expected...but at least I got to finish, which was my goal. On a side note, does anyone know where to get those "4.4" stickers (or it might be a magnet....) for your cars? Or were those given out only in years past or something? Thanks!! Congratulations on your swim! This year was my 6th time and definitely the most challenging conditions. They have sold the 4.4 stickers at the race in previous years along with previous years shirts, etc. I have no idea if they were selling them this year because we took off shortly after I finished when the storm came through.

Tough day for everyone. Hot air temps. Hot water temps. Wicked ebb current between mile 1 and 2. Lightening. Yikes. Regardless... Another great event by Chuck, Linda and crew. Sad: Grahame Rice (age 43, from Annapolis) died during the race. He had done the swim in 2008 - not fast but he completed it.

Oh you shy guy Matysek... YouTube - ‪MSS: Jim and Joe Matysek‬‏

Remember that cheer that went up when they told us the current wasn't going to be strong? Suckers... :D I was one of the diagonal swimmers, though - I wasn't paying enough attention and had a moment of panic when I looked up and realized how close I was to the bridge. It was so sad to hear about the man who died... my thoughts are with his family and friends.

so no mention of the 43 year old man who suffered a heart attack and died?

They have a number you can call on this page. www.bayswim.com/merchandise.html They had plenty at the table Sunday so I imagine there are more available.