Stage 1 Rip Van Winkle Bridges to Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge, 18.2 miles, June 25, 2012
Swimmers: Grace, Rondi, Jaimie, Leonard, Hannah
Today was a great start to 8 Bridges 2012. They skies were cloudy and the river calm for the most part. This fits the mood of this part of the river, so when the sun did peak out it seemed wrong. Rain showers blew through before the swim, and then in the final stages when an electrical storm zipped by followed by a burst of heavy rain. Many of the swimmers were in their final finishing stages at this point, though Jaimie Monahan had to exit the water to wait for the storm to pass.
The tide was fantastic today and had Grace, Hannah and myself swimming over four miles per hour. I found it so peaceful and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Everyone finished! I was thrilled to see Leonard Jansen finish strongly after having a tough day with this stage last year. Now he can move onto Stage 2 for 2013. Leonard took home the Scenic Hudson Stage 1 gift, a beautiful framed photograph of Stage 1 Hudson River scenery, of course.
