The open water swim season! Ah, it still goes on! Nevertheless, three of the area’s long distance open water events have recently been completed. We’re talking *hundreds* of local swimmers participating in these events, so here are many of the Terrapins we’ve managed to locate as participants. Meghan Gibbons, Jeff Strahota, and Cheryl Wagner helped figure out what Terrapins (and assorted company) were swimming where. As a result, here’s what we have for the Reston Master’s one and two mile lake swim, Cheryl Wagner’s Potomac Swim, and the Chesapeake Bay one and 4.4 milers! (I apologize if anyone was unintentionally missed.)

Reston Masters in Virginia started off the open water season with the one and two mile swims May 30th in Lake Audubon. Terrapin Masters have been participating in the Reston, Virginia swim, which was named for Jim McDonnell, since the swim’s inception. Who represented Terrapins in 2004? Well, we can see that Diana Corbin, Eric and Debbie Nordlund, as well as Allison Thomson were there for the two mile event. Rockfish Craig Dewing as well put on a great show! Diana placed 18th in her age group. Debbie was fourth for 40 to 44 year old women. Eric placed third in his age group. Allison was the first women out of the water, finishing eleventh overall, and Rockfish Craig placed second in his age group!

On the day of the 2004 Potomac River Swim across the Potomac the swim was transferred to Lake Conoy for a three mile jaunt. Reports indicate gale force winds and five foot waves in the Potomac for the scheduled June 5th swim date. Consequently, swimmers in Cheryl Wagner’s fundraising event to benefit environmental causes were relocated to Lake Conoy where swimmers had the pleasure of swimming in only 15 to 20 knot winds and waves as high as two feet! ABC Julie Peterson who swims with us on weekends placed fifth overall, and the indomitable Joe Stewart, father of this and many of the area’s other outdoor swims, notched another outdoor swim underneath his belt!

Now for the Chesapeake Bay Swim. Some people claimed this year’s 4.4 miler was the most difficult in recent history. Included below is a separate write-up provided by one kayaker that does support the assertion one could hear swimmers making. The kayaker’s report should give all a great respect for this swim and a new appreciation for the volunteers in this and other events. The write up provides a chilling perspective of what these volunteers face! But first, the one and 4.4 mile swims!

If you look on the boards for the pool swimmers, you’ll notice that Monte Lewis has the team’s records in the 1,000 yard and mile (1650 yard) pool swims for 25 to 29 year olds. It appears Monte is getting some competition in that division from fellow Terrapin Noble Jarrell! Tardy Tuna Noble Jarrell swam the one miler in 34:01 to place 8th in the age group and Monte followed him in with a time of 34:35 to place 9th! (Boy, if Noble could just get to practice on time, maybe Monte’s pool records would be in jeopardy! We may begin to see a future race off here!)

Also, we see Adrienne Pica placed 6th among 20 to 24 year old women with a time of 31:38. Jeff Strahota claimed the top spot for 20 to 24 year old men in the miler with a time of 24:28. (Muppet, having proved his mettle in the one miler, might be encouraged to play with the big boys and girls and attempt the 4.4 miler along with the likes of Jackie Sheppard, Greg Aldape, and Diane Corbin!)

The 4.4 miler in the Bay swim: well, you can read the kayaker’s perspective in the article below. You could also hear kayakers and swimmers discussing conditions after the swim. One of the difficulties swimmers faced was the currents around the two mile mark that created a large whirlpool near the Southern span. The stronger swimmers that were caught in the vortex had to swim perpendicularly to break free from the clawing current. Many swimmers were simply stuck and in time started to hang fatigued from the hulls of kayaks when their ongoing attempts to break free failed. This was a difficult and exhausting spot that wore down many swimmers, including some of our team mates. Even those that finished noted the waves and the amount of water swallowed at the two mile mark!

Consequently, we tip our hat to Jackie Sheppard, Michelle Humanick and Diana Corbin for showing us enthusiasm in swimming the 4.4 mile Bay swim! Some of the specific results include Ditte McInnes in the 40 to 44 year women’s category who finished with a gun time of 3:15.57! Well done! Also, 26 year old Greg Aldape broke the three hour barrier when making it across!

Hey, and Dave Bartolone --- remember him? --- the University of Maryland’s old water polo coach, well Dave showed up and earned himself a t-shirt!

Cheryl Wagner made the 2004 Bay swim her eleventh crossing! Not only that, but Cheryl earned 3rd place plaque in her age group. Let’s see, Meredith Stakem broke the two hour barrier, placing third among 20 to 24 year old women (did Happy wear her baggy, draggy wetsuit, to boot?) Rockfish Craig Dewing came in 13th overall, and ABC Julie Peterson placed first for 25 to 29 year old women.

Also, we all appreciated Meghan Gibbons’ support and good nature, which was a welcome presence at the finish line! ABC Jenn Bistrack was also there to welcome many of the Terrapin swimmers!

Other open water events are coming up over the next few months, including Swim for Life in Chestertown and Sunfest in Ocean City. Information on these and other open water swims can be found on Cheryl Wagner’s Terrapin Masters website!