John Quincy Adams--open water swimmer
dpm50
PA, U.S.Senior Member
Thought you all might enjoy this bit of history!
https://shannonselin.com/2017/07/john-quincy-adams-swimming/
Comments
Wow, that was great reading!
What a lovely history. I love when authors provide (and their editors allow) extended quotes from the subject's own writing like this--makes it so clear how important swimming was to JQA.
But the author left out one fun story that's been handed down as lore in journalistic circles. That time the (first woman) journalist Anne Royall held Adams' clothes hostage until he begrudgingly granted an exclusive interview. (He supposedly gave the interview from the water with only his head and neck above the surface.)
https://s3.amazonaws.com/external_clips/1790361/POTUSinPotomac.pdf?1460262461
Stop me if you've heard this one...
A grasshopper walks into a bar...
https://elainekhowley.com/
It is so interesting to me to hear the irresistible draw to the water described by people in history and in the present. We have so much in common.
I found the description of the risks fascinating as well. I am so comfortable in the water that I think I sometimes overlook the risks we take. Water is not a natural environment for people, yet it certainly feels that way. I guess it is important to remind ourselves to always treat water and swimming with respect.
Love this, thanks @dpm50 !!! @emkhowley it looks like the blogger edited the posting to say that clothing stealing story has been debunked?
Aw that's too bad! Would have loved for that to be true!