CuttingWater

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Escort Boat


Day off from the pool, waiting for the patio door installer to show up at home.

Open Water Lesson:

When you are swimming next to an escort boat, try to stay within 10-20 feet from the boat on either side. This is an important matter to discuss with your pilot. Most pilots want you to be comfortable on your favorite side, but...

Because there are times you will HAVE to move to a particular side per request from your pilot ... you should be comfortable breathing on BOTH sides of your body, in other words, alternate breathing pattern.

I prefer to swim on the pilot's side, usually midway between the bow and the stern ... BUT there are times when conditions do not allow the pilot to stay in that position, so you should be comfortable being ahead of the boat or slightly behind.

It took me some time to adjust and realize the pilot was having a hard time staying right next to me, possibly the weather/water conditions was preventing the stable position.

Keep an eye on the boat, but try not to focus on it all the time. TRUST in your pilot and team, they're looking out for you.

It is your responsibility to stay next to boat. In most long swims, your pilot has a course set for the shortest swim according to your speed. If you veer off course, while swimming away from the boat, your pilot will have to leave course and follow you. A new course must be set and you may miss tide changes that may slow you down.

You can practice this important subject by swimming next to kayak or canoe escorts.

It is easier to discuss these matters with your pilot before hand than be screaming at each other in the water.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed. Marcella

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2015 ... Swimming for Homes for the Brave

After spending the past 20 years paddling from Dover to France, it is time to venture into new waters, while helping some special people.
Soon, I will be traveling with my A-team to Scotland to swim the length of the famous Loch Ness.
As always, I try to help a Foundation raise funds and awareness and I thank you for interest and support.
I am deeply troubled with the thought of homeless individuals, especially in our US Veteran population.

That is why I am teaming up with our Connecticut-based “Homes for the Brave”. Can you imagine not having a place to call home?

Here is more information about Homes for the Brave! -Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABRIHomes-for-the-Brave/199613606735630?ref=hl

- Annual Appeal with more information about our financials and programs- http://www.homesforthebrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HFTB-2014-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf

-Check donations can be mailed to the following address:
Homes for the Brave
655 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

- Donations can be made online as well: https://homesforthebrave.isecuresites.com/products/index.php?type=1110

Please write “Loch Ness Swim/Marcy” to track your donation.


I will always be dedicating my swimming to all those battling cancer and in the memory of 4 special people in my life. Cancer first hit my family when I was young. My grand-aunt Eleanor Kersavage, passed away with uterine cancer and my Auntie Bea Halchak battled with brain cancer.

On January 1, 2002, our LEHY family lost Nikki Giampolo to bone cancer, just turning 16 years old. Her spirit still lives on in our East Hartford swim team.

In July of 2009, my brother-in-law, Gregory Allen Urban, who passed away, after a valient battle with lung cancer. I can see him now, talking about cars and projects around the house, music and his family.

I know Aunties, Eleanor and Bea, Nikki, Greg and all the angels will help me CUT through all this water this summer.

The St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, based in Bridgeport, CT provides financial support for the needs that Health insurance companies don't cover, in addition to providing affordable cancer screening, wigs, medication and other things to make life easier for those suffering with cancer and their families.

Please make a donation, and thank you.

Online donations can be made at: http://give.stvincents.org

or you can send a check through the post to:

Swim Across the Sound
St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203)576-5451

Thank you so very much, peace and good health to all.