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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchives'Swim Against the Tide' Marks a Milestone

'Swim Against the Tide' Marks a Milestone

Three entrants from Team Coast Guard, from left, Todd Holm, Bryson Spangler and Rick Temperton, wear medals after the race.Magens Bay on St. Thomas played host Saturday morning to the 10th annual Swim Against the Tide Fundraiser for Breast Cancer, with participants swimming, snorkeling or wading their way through the one-mile event to raise money for a worthy cause.

All funds raised through the purchase of event T-shirts, pins and pink ribbons as well as from participants will help to defray medical costs for residents diagnosed with breast cancer. The funds will be available through an account in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

While some swimmers entered the event for the good-natured competition, others had personal reasons, including the loss of a loved one to cancer or, in the case of first time participant Mario Leonard, as a tribute to his 85-year old mother who is currently battling the disease.

“I just learned how to swim a year ago.” said a smiling Leonard. “This is my very first competition since completing a swim instruction course taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church right here at Magens. I just want to finish and never miss out on events like this again.”

The annual swim is the pet project of event coordinator Gayle Deller, who has been teaching basic swim instruction courses at the beach since 1970.

“Quite a few of the 41 swimmers and even the rescue staff gathered here today to assist us were my students,” said Deller. “My lifeguard stand is my office and my students are like family,” beamed the proud teacher.

Volunteers lined the course beachside and in kayaks for the hourlong race that stretched from one end of the expansive beach to the other. And while the first swimmers crossed the finish line in just less than 20 minutes, everyone involved gathered at the end to cheer Leonard, who might have finished last on this particular day but set the inspirational tone for the entire morning.

Trophy winners in the Waders youth division were twin brothers Sonny and Boarden Gonzales and sister Flame Gonzales. Their proud parents, Heidi and Robert, both took home trophies for adult waders.

Those competing with the aid of snorkel and fins were Stacie Gursky and Brad Fitzgerald.

First-place swimmer Todd Holm finished with a time of 19:23 and first-place female swimmer Dixie Smith finished with a time of 21:43.

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