2005 Potomac River Swim for the Environment
22 swimmers competed in the 7.5 mile Potomac Swim on June 4. Delaware Valley Masters Swimmer, Alicia Markey (wetsuit 3:19.25), accompanied by her kayaking husband, narrowly beat Igor Meskelis (no wetsuit 3:22.35) of Arlington, VA and Max Kukoy (no wetsuit 3:23.28) of DCRP. Joe Stewart, who started the swim in 1993, did the first Potomac Swim relay with Julie Vianello. And this year we observed our first father and daughter swimmers: Joseph and Anna Battiata. Swimmers were met by a large regional immersion baptism ceremony when they reached the finish line which occurred on the same day as the swim. Conditions featured water temperature of 65 degrees, overcast skies, 5-10 knot winds, 1 foot waves, and a significant ebb current.The post-swim lunch, prepared by the Potomac River Association and the Sierra Club Southern Maryland Group, was enjoyed by all participants. Many thanks are owed to the numerous volunteers and organizations who helped make the swim possible. Included in that group are: Christina Allen, Bob Boxwell, Charles County Dive & Rescue, Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, Inc., Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Paddlers, Curtis Dalpra, Bob & Brenda Elwood, Dee of St. Mary’s, Pat Feeney, Cathie & Tommy Gardner, Kurt & Gwyn Hein, Robert & Mary Hicks, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Erik Jansson, Harry & Mildred Kriemelmeyer, Bob Lewis, Dudley Lindsley, MD Natural Resources Police, Mary Greer & Trinity Parish Hall Volunteers, Emily Morse, Rich Bourgerie of NOAA, Patuxent Adventure Center, Patuxent Friends, Point Lookout State Park, Potomac River Association, Allison Thomson, Kim Thompson, Ridge Fire & Rescue, Scheible’s Motel, June & Robin Shaffer, Scott Leidig & the Chesapeake Boston Whalers, the Southern Maryland Sierra Club, US Coast Guard, and John & Georgia Wheeler.
Swimmers raised pledges totaling $8,000 and the top fundraisers were: Bryan Main who dedicated his swim to his Mom who recently passed away, Joseph & Anna Battiata, and Jamie Johnson. After expenses, all proceeds will be distributed to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Potomac River Association, the Southern Maryland Sierra Club, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, with additional small contributions to The Potomac Conservancy and West Virginia Rivers Coalition.
Next year’s swim will take place on June 3, 2006. For more information contact Cheryl Wagner, cherylw@crosslink.net , 202-387-2361 H, 202-478-0948 FAX.
Complete results with photos of each swimmer can be viewed at: http://www.crosslink.net/~cherylw/prs-05/prs2005-results.htm