Hoe werkt BetCity: Gids voor Registreer-, Inlog- en Speelervaringen

Ben je benieuwd naar hoe BetCity werkt en wat het te bieden heeft? Deze gids helpt je bij het begrijpen van de processen zoals registreren, inloggen, bonussen claimen en gebruik maken van de BetCity app. BetCity is een gerenommeerd online casino in Nederland, waardoor de toegang eenvoudig en aantrekkelijk wordt gemaakt voor zowel nieuwe als ervaren spelers.

Registreren bij BetCity: De Eerste Stappen

Het registreren bij BetCity is een eenvoudige en gebruiksvriendelijke procedure. Bezoekers kunnen zich aanmelden op de officiële website van BetCity NL, waar zij door het aanmeldingsproces worden geleid. Hierbij is het belangrijk om persoonlijke gegevens correct in te voeren, omdat deze later gebruikt worden voor verificatie.

Nadat je je persoonlijke gegevens hebt ingevoerd, zoals naam, adres en geboortedatum, wordt je gevraagd om een gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord te kiezen. Dit is een kritiek punt, zorg ervoor dat het wachtwoord sterk genoeg is om je account te beschermen.

Daarnaast is het van belang om de wettelijke leeftijd te bevestigen om te kunnen gokken. Dit zorgt ervoor dat BetCity voldoet aan alle Nederlandse kansspelwetten. Na registratie ontvang je een e-mailbevestiging, waarmee je de registratieproces kunt voltooien.

Hoe kun je BetCity Inloggen?

Na succesvolle registratie is het tijd om in te loggen bij BetCity om toegang te krijgen tot het platform. Het inloggen op BetCity is net zo eenvoudig als het registratieproces. Ga naar de BetCity website en klik op de knop ‘Inloggen’ rechtsboven op de pagina.

Hierna voer je de gebruikersnaam en het wachtwoord in die je bij de registratie hebt aangemaakt. Als je een ander apparaat gebruikt dan waarmee je je hebt geregistreerd, kan er mogelijk om extra verificatie gevraagd worden. Deze stap helpt om je account te beveiligen tegen ongewenste toegang.

Voor bestaande gebruikers die problemen hebben met inloggen, zoals het vergeten van wachtwoorden, is er een optie om je wachtwoord opnieuw in te stellen. Deze procedure wordt meestal binnen enkele minuten via e-mail opgelost.

Bonussen en Promoties bij BetCity Casino

Een van de meest aantrekkelijke aspecten van BetCity Casino zijn de talrijke bonussen en promoties. Nieuwe spelers ontvangen vaak een welkomstbonus bij hun eerste storting. Deze bonussen kunnen variëren van gratis spins tot stortingsbonussen, waardoor spelers hun speelgeld aanzienlijk kunnen vergroten.

Daarnaast zijn er voor bestaande spelers regelmatig promoties beschikbaar. Deze omvatten wekelijkse of maandelijkse aanbiedingen die beloningen geven voor regelmatige spelers. Het regelmatig controleren van de promotiepagina is daarom zeker aan te bevelen.

Het is echter belangrijk om goed naar de specifieke bonusvoorwaarden te kijken. Veel bonussen hebben namelijk inzetvereisten – de voorwaarden die je moet vervullen voordat je eventuele winsten kunt opnemen.

Gebruik van de BetCity App: Mobiel Gokken

Voor gokkers die onderweg zijn, biedt BetCity een handige mobiele app die beschikbaar is voor zowel Android als iOS. De BetCity app biedt dezelfde functies als de desktopversie, waardoor spelers zonder problemen toegang hebben tot hun favoriete spellen en weddenschappen.

Het voordeel van de BetCity app is dat deze een snelle en naadloze ervaring biedt. Het ontwerpen van de gebruikersinterface maakt het eenvoudig om te navigeren, login en transacties te beheren, en zelfs live-games te spelen.

Om aan de slag te gaan, hoef je alleen de app te downloaden vanuit de officiële app store. Het proces verloopt soepel en installatie neemt slechts een paar minuten in beslag. Je kunt daarna met jouw bestaande inloggegevens direct toegang krijgen tot je account.

Waarom Kiezen voor BetCity?

BetCity onderscheidt zich door zijn betrouwbaarheid, legale status en breed scala aan gokmogelijkheden. Het platform heeft een vergunning van de Nederlandse Kansspelautoriteit, wat betekent dat het voldoet aan strikte eisen voor een veilige speelomgeving voor zijn gebruikers.

Spelers hebben de keuze uit een breed scala aan spellen variërend van gokkasten tot live casinospellen en sportweddenschappen. BetCity werkt met enkele van de grootste spelontwikkelaars, waardoor de gebruikers verzekerd zijn van een hoogwaardige speelervaring.

Bovendien biedt BetCity uitstekende klantenservice en handige betalingsopties, die bijdragen aan een probleemloze speelervaring. De website staat ook bekend om zijn responsieve ontwerp, wat betekent dat het ongeacht het apparaat altijd goed werkt.

Veiligheid en Verantwoord Spelen bij BetCity

Veiligheid is een topprioriteit bij BetCity. Ze maken gebruik van geavanceerde encryptietechnieken om de persoonlijke en financiële informatie van spelers te beschermen. Alle transacties zijn beveiligd, wat ervoor zorgt dat spelers met vertrouwen kunnen storten en opnemen.

Daarnaast bevordert BetCity verantwoord spelen door diverse tools aan te bieden die spelers kunnen gebruiken om hun speelgedrag onder controle te houden. Dit omvat limieten voor stortingen, inzetten en speeltijd, alsmede opties om pauzes in te lassen of zelfuitsluiting in te stellen indien nodig.

Deze proactieve benadering ten opzichte van verantwoord gokken is een bewijs van BetCity’s toewijding aan een veilige en plezierige omgeving voor al zijn gebruikers.

FAQ over BetCity NL

• Hoe meld ik me aan voor BetCity?

  Bezoek de officiële BetCity-website en volg het registratieproces door je persoonlijke gegevens in te vullen.

• Hoe kan ik mijn wachtwoord herstellen bij BetCity?

  Selecteer de optie ‘Wachtwoord vergeten’ bij het inlogscherm, en volg de instructies in de e-mail die je ontvangt.

• Welke spellen zijn beschikbaar op BetCity?

  BetCity biedt een breed scala aan spellen, waaronder gokkasten, tafelspellen, en live casino-opties.

• Is de BetCity app beschikbaar voor alle apparaten?

  Ja, de app is beschikbaar voor zowel Android- als iOS-apparaten en biedt een volledige speelervaring onderweg.

• Hoe neem ik contact op met de klantenservice van BetCity?

  Je kunt contact opnemen via de live chat op de website, email of telefoon.

Voor meer informatie kun je de officiële BetCity website bezoeken.

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Conclusie

BetCity biedt een robuuste en betrouwbare online gokervaring voor Nederlandse spelers. Van een eenvoudig registratieproces en veilige inlogmogelijkheden tot boeiende bonussen en een gebruiksvriendelijke app, dit platform heeft alles wat je nodig hebt voor veilig en verantwoord online gokken. De nadruk op veiligheid en klantenservice maakt het een uitstekende keuze voor zowel nieuwe als ervaren spelers.

Met de juiste verantwoordelijkheden in acht genomen, biedt BetCity niet alleen plezier, maar ook een veilig en gereguleerd platform waar spelers hun geluk kunnen beproeven en kunnen genieten van eindeloze entertainmentmogelijkheden.

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Unlocking the Pistolo Casino Bonus Opportunities

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Mastering the Deposit and Withdrawal Processes

Pistolo Casino provides a variety of banking options, making managing your funds straightforward. To deposit funds, you can choose from credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Each method is secure and ensures the safety of your financial transactions. Processing times for deposits are usually instant, allowing you to begin playing almost immediately.

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Understanding Pistolo Casino’s Security Protocols

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In addition to digital protections, Pistolo Casino mandates account verification to ensure the integrity of its user base. During this KYC (Know Your Customer) process, new members are required to submit proof of identity and residence. This step is crucial in preventing fraud, protecting minors, and upholding the casino’s regulatory obligations.

The commitment to security extends to responsible gaming initiatives. Pistolo Casino provides tools for setting deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and links to support organizations for those needing assistance with gambling issues.

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One of the standout features of Pistolo Casino is its accessibility across devices. Whether you prefer playing on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone, the casino’s interface adapts seamlessly to any screen size. This flexibility is achieved without sacrificing functionality or visual fidelity.

The mobile experience is particularly noteworthy, supported by a dedicated app for both Android and iOS devices. The Pistolo Casino app ensures that players have their favorite games at their fingertips, along with easy access to account management tools and exclusive mobile-only promotions.

Users without the app can still enjoy a full experience through a browser-based interface. This option is perfect for those reluctant to download additional software, providing a similarly rich experience directly through their web browser.

Building a Rewarding Loyalty Program

Pistolo Casino offers a comprehensive loyalty program that rewards consistent play. As players engage with the platform, they accumulate loyalty points that can be exchanged for various perks, including free spins, bonus cash, and exclusive merchandise.

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Engagement in the loyalty program is automatic upon registration, ensuring every player has the opportunity to benefit from their gaming activities. The transparent nature of the program and frequent updates to reward structures keep it relevant and enticing for long-term players.

Navigating Pistolo Casino’s Customer Support

Whether you’re facing a technical issue or need clarification on bonus terms, Pistolo Casino’s customer support is readily available to assist you. The support team can be reached through multiple channels including live chat, email, and phone support. This variety ensures that help is just a click or call away, whatever the problem may be.

The live chat feature provides the quickest response time, ideal for urgent queries. Email support, while slower, is useful for detailed queries that require comprehensive answers. Phone support offers a more personalized experience, allowing players to speak directly with a support representative.

Pistolo Casino also has an extensive FAQ section. This resource addresses common questions and concerns, providing immediate solutions without the need to contact support directly. It’s a great first step for troubleshooting and general inquiries.

FAQ Section

• How do I log into Pistolo Casino?

  After creating your account, simply go to the Pistolo Casino login page and enter your credentials. Ensure your details are secure and update them regularly for additional security.

• What types of bonuses does Pistolo Casino offer?

  Pistolo Casino offers a diverse array of bonuses, including welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and seasonal promotions. Always check the terms and conditions for each bonus to maximize your benefits.

• What are the payment methods available at Pistolo Casino?

  Pistolo Casino supports a range of payment methods including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. All options are secure and designed to protect your financial transactions.

• How does Pistolo Casino ensure player safety?

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• Can I access Pistolo Casino on mobile devices?

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• How do I contact customer support?

  You can reach Pistolo’s customer support via live chat, email, or phone. The team is dedicated to resolving queries swiftly and effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pistolo Casino offers a robust online gaming platform complete with a rich selection of games, extensive bonus structures, and a user-friendly interface. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a new entrant to the online casino scene, Pistolo Casino provides the tools and support necessary for an enjoyable gaming experience. By leveraging their comprehensive security measures, various bonus opportunities, and dedicated customer support, you can enjoy gaming with confidence and peace of mind. For more information, visit their official site at https://pistolocasino.eu/en/.

Roobet Casino è una delle piattaforme di gioco d’azzardo più popolari, offrendo agli utenti un’ampia gamma di giochi e servizi. In questa guida scoprirai come accedere al tuo account, quali bonus puoi aspettarti, e l’utilizzo dell’app di Roobet per un’esperienza di gioco ottimale.

Registrazione e Accesso al Roobet Casino

La registrazione a Roobet Casino è semplice e intuitiva. Basta visitare il sito ufficiale e seguire le istruzioni fornite per creare un account. In termini di login, assicurati di avere i tuoi dettagli come email e password a portata di mano. Una volta registrato, l’accesso – o roobet login – è rapido e non presenta complicazioni. Inoltre, è fondamentale tenere al sicuro le tue informazioni per evitare accessi non autorizzati.

Se dovessi riscontrare problemi con il login, come password dimenticata, Roobet casino offre un’efficace procedura di recupero. Questo garantisce che il tuo accesso sia sempre sicuro e sotto il tuo controllo.

Bonus Disponibili su Roobet

Il sistema di bonus di Roobet casino è pensato per massimizzare il valore del tuo deposito e offrire opportunità di gioco aggiuntive. I nuovi utenti possono godere di un roobet bonus di benvenuto che spesso include giri gratuiti o corrispondenze sui depositi. Inoltre, ci sono promozioni regolari e vantaggi per gli utenti fedeli.

Cosa rende questi bonus attraenti è la loro varietà e la struttura flessibile, che si adatta sia ai nuovi arrivati che ai giocatori esperti. Verifica sempre i termini e le condizioni per comprendere come sfruttarli al meglio.

Esperienza di Gioco con l’App di Roobet

Per chi è sempre in movimento, la roobet app rappresenta una soluzione ideale per accedere ai tuoi giochi preferiti ovunque tu sia. L’app è progettata per essere user-friendly, assicurando che l’esperienza utente rimanga impeccabile su dispositivi mobili.

Scaricare e configurare l’app è un processo veloce; dopo l’installazione, puoi accedere facilmente al tuo account utilizzando le stesse credenziali del sito web. L’applicazione offre tutte le funzionalità del sito desktop, garantendo che non ci sia alcuna differenza tra le due piattaforme.


Varietà di Giochi al Roobet Online Casino

Roobet è rinomato per la sua vasta selezione di giochi, che include slot, giochi da tavolo e molto altro. La piattaforma collabora con alcuni dei migliori provider di giochi per assicurare che i giocatori abbiano accesso a titoli di alta qualità con temi coinvolgenti e dinamiche di gioco entusiasmanti.

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Roobet Casino rappresenta un’esperienza di gioco completa e coinvolgente, ideale per vari tipi di giocatori. Che tu stia cercando di approfittare dei bonus disponibili, esplorare la varietà di giochi offerti, o semplicemente desideri giocare in movimento con l’app, Roobet ha qualcosa da offrire per tutti.

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Das Spielen in einem Online-Casino wie Just Casino kann eine aufregende Möglichkeit sein, um Geld zu gewinnen und dabei Spaß zu haben. Doch um wirklich erfolgreich zu sein, sollte man sich nicht nur auf das Glück verlassen. In diesem Artikel beleuchten wir einige bewährte Strategien, um Ihre Gewinne zu maximieren und das Beste aus Ihrem Casino-Erlebnis herauszuholen.

Verstehen Sie die Regeln der Spiele

Bevor Sie mit dem Spielen beginnen, ist es entscheidend, die Regeln der Spiele, die Sie interessieren, gründlich zu verstehen. Jedes Spiel hat seine eigenen Nuancen und Strategien, die das Spielergebnis erheblich beeinflussen können. Besonders bei komplexen Spielen wie Poker oder Blackjack lohnt es sich, verschiedene Taktiken zu erlernen und sie im Just Casino online auszutesten.

Nutzen Sie Boni und Freispiele klug

Viele Online-Casinos, einschließlich Just Casino, bieten Anreize wie Boni und Freispiele an, um neue Spieler zu gewinnen. Es ist wichtig, diese Angebote klug zu nutzen. Der Just casino bonus ist ein hervorragendes Beispiel dafür, wie Sie Ihre Bankroll ohne zusätzliches Risiko vergrößern können. Achten Sie jedoch auf die Bedingungen, sodass Sie genau wissen, worauf Sie sich einlassen.

Budgetierung und Einsatzlimits

Ein Schlüssel zu einem erfolgreichen Casino-Erlebnis liegt in der sorgfältigen Budgetierung. Setzen Sie sich ein festes Limit, sowohl für Ihre Einzahlungen als auch für die einzelnen Spieleinsätze. Dies hilft, die Kontrolle zu bewahren und verhindert, dass Sie mehr ausgeben, als Sie es sich leisten können. Effektives Geldmanagement kann dafür sorgen, dass Sie länger spielen und die Spannung länger genießen können.

Regelmäßige Pausen machen

Geben Sie Ihrem Geist die Zeit, sich zu erholen, indem Sie regelmäßig Pausen einlegen. Non-Stop-Spielen kann gefährlich sein und zu unüberlegten Entscheidungen führen. Ein klarer Kopf hilft nicht nur dabei, bessere Entscheidungen zu treffen, sondern kann auch die Freude am Spiel erhalten.

Spielen auf dem Mobile

Mit der Just casino app haben Sie die Freiheit, jederzeit und überall zu spielen. Nutzen Sie die Gelegenheit, auch unterwegs ein Spiel zu wagen, aber passen Sie auf, nicht in unkontrollierte Spielmuster zu verfallen. Und nicht zu vergessen: Ein sicheres Just casino login schützt Ihre Daten und Ihr Guthaben vor unbefugtem Zugriff.

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Das Spielen bei Just Casino kann ein lohnendes Erlebnis sein, vorausgesetzt, Sie spielen mit Bedacht. Nutzen Sie die Tipps und Mittel, die Ihnen zur Verfügung stehen, um Ihre Einsätze effektiv zu maximieren. Vergessen Sie nicht, dass der Spaß am Spiel an erster Stelle steht und übernehmen Sie Verantwortung für Ihr Spielverhalten.

I have been trying to figure out what I would write to summarize all that I have felt over the last week and how to describe the experience.  I have come to the conclusion that I do not think I could ever find the exact words to convey just what I am feeling.  The journey itself, moving down the river with a fun, supportive, responsible, driven crew of people, far exceeded my expectations.  Karen Throsby did an excellent job in trying to describe the 8 bridges operation in all its logistical complexity, in her blog: Metaphors.  So much goes into each and every day that it is a wonder we were able to ship-off each day on time…but we did.  How?  Well, first, I think we need to go back to the beginning.  This swim started as a thought by David Barra and was carried to fruition with the help of Rondi Davies.  After testing the waters themselves, the event evolved into a well-oiled machine.

  Rondi Davies & David Barra

I believe these two, alone, and what they created, is what makes this event special to it’s core.  They have felt the water, they have swam through each stage, they understand – mentally and physically – what is involved and what each swimmer goes through.  They are there, each day, on the water, going through each stage with the swimmers and their crew. They have given all of us in the open water swimming community, an opportunity to chase our dreams.  For some, it is tackling one stage, for others it is getting through multiple stages, and most have far deeper reasons for attempting any of the stages.

For me,  I cannot fully explain the “why” but I will say that this journey has changed me.  It has taught me that my mind is stronger than I thought and while my emotions still remained soft, physically, I fought harder than I believed I could have and won those fights.  You learn a lot about yourself as you spend hours upon hours swimming.  You also learn a lot about others.  I learned that not everyone is out for themselves, and on this river, in this event, no one is.  I learned that there were people that genuinely wanted to see me thrive, grow and achieve – and when I though I was not strong enough, I learned that I had those that knew I was and reminded me during my most difficult moments.

I can close my eyes and remember the moments down the river.  All of it.  The nervous times, the cold times, the relaxed times.  I can see smiles, hear voices of those that cheered me on and feel the embraces of those who hugged me when I finished or before I Started.  I can hear Margrethe asking me if I was warm during my feeds–being sure to keep the word cold out of the question.  I can see John Humenik and Janet Harris after I finished stage 4 standing on the boat with big smiles on their faces…as happy for me as anyone could be.

I also learned that strong bonds can be fortified in a very short amount of time and last forever.  Swimming is NOT an individual sport.  The kayakers, the boat crew, the other swimmers, we are all a team and any weak link of that team can damage a swim no matter how hard the other parts are working.   For this swim, I remember all of the crew that came and went, all of the kayakers – not just my own because everyone was helping everyone.  We cheered for one another, we sat silent with one another, we cried if needed.

The Day of Fierce Determination

Nerves.  I was a bundle of nerves.  Hell, I was full on terrified for this one.  I calculated that I would have about 12 feedings until the end.  This would be important.  Andrew and I spoke about the cold.  For him, he says he knows he has about 3 more hours after the shivers set in before his body really starts to react.  I had no time to test this for myself so I just took his calculation.  I figured if I got to my 6th half hour feeding with no shivers, I would have 3 hours to make it to the finish with shivers.

The beauty of this stage was that the original 6 of us 7 stagers and the kiwi team, Katrina Price, & heather Osborne, were the only ones doing this stage.  We started together and we were all going to finish together – just us.  One piece of terrible news was that Anna DeLozier was much worse, throwing up and very sick.  She would not be joining us for the last stage.  This was extremely upsetting to me.  We had made it down the river together, she was a strong swimmer and these stages did not phase her beyond the normal aches and pains one would expect to experience.  She would have done stage 7 and finished strong.  We all knew that.  It was not the river that took her down but illness.  My heart sank for her and my spirits were low for myself.

(Me, Bridgette, Jim, Karen, Mo, Heather & Katrina, Anna)

The other swimmers started a half hour ahead of me.  Rondi and I sat quietly at the stern of the boat.  She would look at me and smile every once in awhile and tell me it was going to be fine.  She warned about the temperature drop to 65 degrees in the Battery.  I asked her how long I had to swim once in the Battery. She told me about 2 hours, maybe less.  I thought, “ok, if the cold crept in and settled then I would have 2 hours of shivers and an hour extra if conditions were bad.”  Conditions were beautiful though.  The water was calm, the sun was out.  Rondi told me she was going to get in if it was ok with me.  I told her, “absolutely,” and that I would love for her to swim under the bridge with me if I made it that far.  With one more push in of my goggles to my face by Rondi and a hearty hug, she told me it was time to jump in.  This was the most scared I had been all week.  It was the moment of truth.

I jumped in and Margrethe was there and ready for me.  We went down the river together.  It was nice and calm and if you could pet her and say, “nice river. Be good for me today.”  I was tense in the beginning.  My first feed took for-ev-er.  I made peace with myself that this was how the day was going to go. It was going to crawl.  I flew yesterday…today the river wanted to make me work.  Maybe she wasn’t ready to see us all go after all.

Around an hour and a half into my swim I didn’t think I would finish.  I was using the mental exercises that Karen Throsby, a fellow 7-stager had taught me.  Warm, warm, I am warm.  If I’m not warm then I say, “I’m not as warm as I’d like to be,” but never put the word “cold” in the mind.  Remove it completely.  Karen is a seasoned open water swimmer…I was going to listen to her.  By two hours Rondi jumped in.  Ahhh…I got a boost and I didn’t feel cold. The top of the water was warm but the underneath was cold.  I reminded myself that the sun was shining, Rondi and I were swimming and Manhattan was next to us.

Probably my proudest moment: Margrethe Kayaking as Rondi Paces me (Rondi in Green cap, me in yellow) – Feeling loved, & supported

At some point Rondi drifted back onto the boat and boat traffic seemed to really pick up.  Things were getting sloppy.  I saw the statue of liberty and she look beautiful.   I knew I had about 5 miles to go.  We passes ferry boats, we passes big tankers, we passes tug boats pushing the big boats.  Every boat seemed to be out in the harbor today and we were little fish in a very big river. As I worked through the wave trying to find my rhythm, a green cap appeared.  It was Andrew Malinak!  I stopped for a feed, looked at the bridge and asked if he was going to swim under the bridge with me.  He told me he would stay until I told him to leave.  I wanted him to stay.   I wanted him to bring me under the bridge.  We swam sloppy and crazy the rest of the way to the bridge.  Feeling the shadow of the bridge on my back felt good.  I hugged Margrethe and thanked her for everything–for getting me down the river safely, for keeping me calm and taking control.  We did it together.  Without her, I would not have made it.  I hugged Andrew–a hearty hug that was supposed to say, “thank you, I now know that feeling.”  We got on the boat and there was Rondi with a big smile on her face.  She hugged me and it was at that moment that I felt the journey was over.  It had been another beautiful day on the river.  We all made it.  Mo Siegel swam 120 miles in 8 days, Bridgette Hobart, Karen Throsby -swam 120 miles in 7 days – James Braddock, Katrina Price and Heather Osborne – we all did it.  We boarded the boat together 7 days prior and unloaded our stuff for the last time today.  Anna was missed.  I think we all felt it-not quite complete.  She would have finished and finished strong.

Left: Andrew and I swimming crazy to bridge (another proud moment);

Right: Andrew Brought me to the finish where it all started one year ago (we hugged in the water and I cried – I couldn’t help it)

Bottom: My better half – Margrethe at the finish of Stage 7

As Andrew and I sat on the bow of the boat, he told me I had the look.  The look I saw on his face at the end of his completion of 7 stages almost one year ago.  I had mixed emotions.  I was happy to have completed all the stages but sad the journey was over.  As we pulled up to the dock my family was waiting. There were hugs, good-byes, and congratulations all around.  As I walked off the dock I looked back one last time at the new family I had gained over the past week.  I knew I would see each of them again at some point.  With a lump in my throat, we headed home.

The Day of Controlled Chaos

When I walked into my friend’s apartment, after stage 5, I looked like I had been beaten with a baseball bat (or at least that is how I felt).  Janine was swimming Stage 6 but immediately she brought me in, fed me, made me take a shower (god I needed it) and gave me two advil PMs.  With both shoulders icing, I fell asleep.  It was the first time I slept through the night all week.  I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go.  We were catching a train that would get us to the meeting place a good 15 minutes before we needed to be there.  Things were good, but then…

We got to the start and Launch 5 was pulling away.  For a moment I panicked.  I thought that maybe I could do a runner and jump onto the boat like they do in the movies; however, this plan would have never worked since the boat was taller than the dock.  I would have ended up smacking into the side of the boat and falling into the water.  I waited to hear plan B.  We were to get on the zodiac (another support boat).  As we sat on the zodiac, me huddled on the floor, I finally noticed the weather and felt the rocking of the boat.  The day look ominous…a day when you look at the water and it looks creepy.  The water was sloppy, it seemed to be moving us in all directions.  Just when I thought things could not get better, I felt little pelts of rain on my face…awesome.

Zodiac Ride here we go with Hannah and Janine

The zodiac made it’s way down the river a bit to the start and we quickly docked to do some fancy kayak maneuvering onto and off of boats.  By the time we met up with Launch 5 I was feeling sick.  I turned to my right to make sure I had space in case I needed to throw up over the side.  I thought we were going to board launch 5 but, no sooner did they give Margrethe her kayak skirt, we were untied and sped away.  I thought about doing another runner but again, I would have just hit the side of the boat and bounce off into the water (the zodiac sits much lower).  I looked to Hannah who was trying to be encouraging by saying, “look at the sun shining over New York,” and I said to her, “please ask them if we can get on the boat.”  The next go around, we boarded launch 5.  I was full-on sea sick and Anna was NOT doing well either.

 Ominous before the start of Stage 6

 Getting ready and waiting

After a flurry of activity and a great deal of excited chatter on the radios, we jumped in, Rondi gave the count down and off we went.  I love big rolling chop and we had a tailwind with us!  Once I got comfortable and settled into my stroke Margrethe and I were surfing the waves and it felt good.  The sun came out and I felt that push down the river.  Maybe the river finally wanted to play nice, or maybe she wanted to spit us out…whatever the reason I didn’t care.

We had made it out of the controlled chaos, that was base camp at the Tappan Zee Bridge, to the George Washington Bridge in record time.  Everyone was smiles with the exception of Anna who finished the stage in amazing time but who was approaching the seriously ill stage.

   Me after stage 6

Kayak crew enjoying some down time (Alix, Steve, Michael & Luis)

The day started out dark and chaotic with lots of s#its and Fu*ks but ended with hugs and pats on the backs.  Everyone celebrated with dinner at the dock.  I was happy to see my family and friend who made the journey into the city.  I was happy they got to meet my, now, extended swimming family– but the twitch in my stomach was not quite gone.  We had one more stage to complete. Stage 7 was one I had been dreading.  The warm spots down the river were going to come to an end.  I needed to get mentally prepared for the cold and physically prepared for a 6 hour swim.  I was tired.  I was nervous but I was going to fight for this one.  I already knew what this last stage would be called if I actually made it this far – Stage 7 was going to be the day of fierce determination.

The Day of Buoyant Optimism

I had been dreading this stage from the moment I signed up for 8 Bridges.  I knew it was called “the beast” and I knew it had taken down many strong swimmers before me.  I was nervous for this fight.  When we got to  the marina things moved pretty fast and we were on our way to the bear mountain  bridge.  The sun came out, conditions seemed good.  I was still terrified.  Until I got in the water, felt it and started swimming, I was not going to be able to relax.

 Readying myself with Margrethe

It was time to jump in and I remember thinking, “good-bye boat,  good-bye crew  members.  I can’t wait to see you soon.” But I had no idea what soon meant.  Good conditions, 7 hours?  Bad conditions 8 or 9?

 Anna DeLozier and I jumping off the bow

When I got in and started to swim, the river was smooth.  It felt good and the temperature was lovely.  We hit chop around the two hour mark I think.  It was not terrible chop and I was so happy that everything else was going well that I didn’t even care.  One thing I will say was that I was tired.  I remember thinking, my shoulders are just going to unscrew from my body.  The week was catching up to me.  I was tired, achy and the fear of this stage had taken some of my energy.

Around 3 hours into the swim I got a shooting pain  from my elbow down the back of my arm.  This could not continue.  At the next feed I stretched  it and told Margrethe I was tired. She told me I was doing great and away we went.  We passed Yuta on the way and after a cheer and hello we continued on.  Then we caught up to John and said some “hellos” to him and Alex.  After that, Margrethe and I were alone until….ta-dah…

Team effort: Rondi handing Buddy Porteus my warmed feed and Buddy giving it to                                           Margrethe all done smoothly while I swam on.

Andrew came up along side of me and was paddling next to me.  Like magic he knew just when to get there.  The chop picked  up and I was losing my battle with it.  This stage needed to end.  I stopped for a feed and told Andrew that  I just wanted  to jump on  the board with him.  I thought, “yeah.  We could paddle around  together.  Check on everyone.  Talk about stupid stuff and laugh and my shoulders wouldn’t hurt.”  But as soon as I told Andrew my idea of jumping on that board, he said that was  his cue to leave.  He knew all too well how great that temptation was from my point of view.

 Andrew to the rescue

Once Andrew left we made our way around a turn where we could finally see the bridge.   Side note:  I looked up.   Big, big mistake.  Andrew told me not to look up.  Margrethe told me not to but I just couldn’t help myself.  I looked, I saw it and I knew I was in trouble.  By my calculations, I still had about 4 feeds to go (2 hours).  This was bad.  The bridge was now on my mind and each minute of not getting my feed felt like an eternity.

At some point Rondi jumped  in with me and we swam together.  I was grateful for the company.  She told me once I saw the lighthouse to my left, that the bridge was about a half mile away.  I couldn’t see any lighthouse and the  bridge did  not seem closer.  I put my head down and  just swam.  My shoulders hurt, my right hip hurt, my neck ached but I just thought that if I kept moving my arms I would get there.

 Margrethe and I approaching Tappan Zee

Well, I finally saw the lighthouse and that 1/2 mile felt like it was about 1 1/2 miles but eventually, Margrethe and I conquered another stage.

I wish I could say that we slayed the beast – that we fought through ridiculous conditions and made it to the other side of the bridge alive and well.  In truth, the beast was sleeping.  It was still 19.8 miles.  It was still a 6+ hour swim and  it was still hard but the alternatives could have been worse.  Today was a  day of buoyant optimism.  The beast will always be known to me as the gentle giant who let me swim through the day virtually unscathed.  Tomorrow is another day.   The day of Controlled Chaos is what I am calling it.  I do not know what to expect, but whatever is thrown at me, I will try to control as best I can.  It may be like trying to catch dust in my hands but I’m gonna try.