On May 5th 2010 at 5PM The South End Rowing Clubs held its annual Cinco de Mayo Swim aka The Five Coves of Death. In this event swimmers attempt to swim 5 coves; about 1 mile each cove, with water temperatures ranging from 54-56F. This event was created years ago by Bill Horgos, a South End Legend, and it is a qualifier for the famous Bay to Brakers Swim; a 10mile swim from the Bay Bridge to Ocean beach, event to happen at the end of May. Tequila shots are optional after every cove.
I started the swim by myself at 2:30PM and at 5PM 40 swimmers joined me for their five coves attempt. It felt great having company around me every cove I swam.
As part of my training schedule I used this event to attempt a 6 hour swim. The Channel Swimming Association requires at least one 6 hour swim in water temperature below 60F, one swim cap and one swim suit, in order for a swimmer to qualify for a solo crossing attempt at the English Channel.
Kim Howard, Captain of The Penaat, piloting the swim.
The South End dock became one big feeding station for the swimmers.By 7:30PM most of the swimmers had completed their many coves and I was still soldiering on, committed to my 6 hour attempt.
My wife Kim Howard had been rowing/piloting the event since 5PM and after 7:30PM she became my personal pilot, making sure I was doing alright and committed to the 6 hour challenge.
In this picture I am on my last hour, doing laps to and from the Flag. Every round trip I did would "buy" me 15 minutes in the water. After 6:05 minutes in the water and without daylight, it was time to finish the swim. As I approached the South End and the Dolphin dock to swim my last yards I looked up at the South End dock and saw all my beloved friends screaming and cheering me, it brought tears to my eyes!
Even tough I had already qualified for the Channel on September of 2009, this 6 hour swim was key to my training schedule since I was able to stay in the water for 6:05 hours in temperatures below 55F, boosting my confidence towards my solo crossing.
Celebrating the qualify with Kim and looking for a pen to get that "piece of paper"(6 hour certificate) signed!
