Crew Member for Swim Across the Sound

timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
edited May 2012 in Locations & Networking
On July 28th, I will be participating as a solo swimmer in the 25th Annual St. Vincents Swim Across the Sound, along with 15 other soloists and a number of relay teams. I am in need of a crew member. My fiance can't make the swim (not enough vacation time from work), and currently I have my Mom as a crew member, although I'm now thinking that is not the best idea...

This past weekend, I completed my first marathon swim, taking 10 hours and 34 minutes to complete a 25km swim in unfavorable conditions. I fought the current for all but maybe an hour and a half, despite the out and back course. For comparison, the winner was 7 hours flat, and second place was 9:40. We had the wind in our faces all the way out, and most of the way back. I had a few bouts of pretty bad nausea, throwing up in two large episodes. During the second one, I didn't think I was going to get my stomach to settle down enough to allow me to continue, so I called the pontoon boat, with my parents on it, over, and I was almost ready to climb in. However, my fiance, in my escort kayak, encouraged me to make the next buoy and see how I felt. I don't know how frequently it was, but I know that she acted as a buffer between me and my Mom, since Mom was trying to have Amanda talk me out of the water and into the boat. I've heard other people, mostly Donal, talk about how family members make for bad crew members, so if I could find someone else, it would help me out quite a bit.

The swim is July 28th. There is a meeting for swimmers and crew on July 26th in Bridgeport, CT. The morning of the swim, we will meet at Captain's Cove at 5:30 AM to get ready for the day. The full timeline is available at the race website here: https://give.stvincents.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=725.

Is there anyone relatively nearby who is free that weekend to help?

Thank you.

Comments

  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    When do you need to know by?

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    IronMike wrote:
    When do you need to know by?

    If I had someone by July, that would be helpful so that I knew I had loose end tied down. Sooner, if someone knew, would be even better for leace of mind.

  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    I won't be around that week, but you might try contacting the event director. She may have some leads for you...
    You can also try CIBBOWS.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    I won't be around that week, but you might try contacting the event director. She may have some leads for you...
    You can also try CIBBOWS.

    Good idea. I'll email her in a few weeks if nothing turns up and see if she can help. Thanks.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    @david_barra - I emailed the race director, and I was surprised to learn that this is a common request. She said she'd get back to me, but to let me know if I was able to find someone in the interim. Thanks for the idea.
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    Sadly, I'm out. The Air Force has a need for me that weekend in Texas.

    Good luck on the swim!

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • njoynjoy Member
    Hi, timsroot. I'm local to the area (about 15 minutes from the race start) and also doing that swim. I'll ask around and see if anyone I know is interested and let you know.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    @njoy, thanks.

    Slightly unrelated question: how big a hassle is it from/to get to JFK by train? Renting a car is unreasonably expensive.
  • Hi timsroot, I think I may be able to help with the swim. It is also not terrible to get to/from JFK by train...depends of course on where you need to go. There is an airport train that goes to Jamaica Station where you can get a subway or LI Rail. You can email me direct about the crew if you like - john@waanders.net
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    @Waanders - that sounds similar to what a sister of a friend told me. I'll have to make myself some kind of cheat sheet and figure out ticketing for that.

    I'll probably email you later today about crewing. Thanks.
  • njoynjoy Member
    Slightly unrelated question: how big a hassle is it from/to get to JFK by train? Renting a car is unreasonably expensive.

    You can take the Airtrain from JFK to Jamaica Station in Queens then get on the LIRR out to here. There are two lines (Pt Jefferson and Ronkonkoma) that will get you here. I'd say take Ronkonkoma to the last stop. It's a bit farther away from the race start than the Pt Jeff train, but you have more time options and you don't have to change trains along the way, which is a pain if you have luggage. There should be cabs at the Ronkonkoma station to get you to your accommodations. If you're staying on the NY side and don't have a car, try to find a place in Pt Jeff. The little village there will offer you some dining options in walking distance, and you can probably walk to the swim start. If I can help with picking you up somewhere, I am happy to help out.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    @njoy - since the race meeting, race organization, and finish are all in bridgeport, I'm planning on staying up there. That said, it still sounded that, with a few transfers, I should still be able to get up there
  • njoynjoy Member
    OK. Sounds like a good plan. I'm planning to schlep myself to and from Bridgeport for the meeting and, assuming I make it across, schlep myself home, or rather have my hubs schlep me home, after the swim. :D
  • njoynjoy Member
    Hey timsroot, I have a friend who's available to be on your crew if you are still looking. He's not done this before, but he's a marathon runner, so he's not unfamiliar with big athletic endeavors. He's also a crazy smart mathematician and overall good guy. If you are all set up and don't need anyone, I can pass his info along to the race director, since there seems to be a need for crew people, but I thought I'd let you know first.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    @njoy - I think I'm set, but I appreciate the offer.
  • njoynjoy Member
    Excellent. Glad to hear it all worked out.
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