Under the San Mateo Bridge with Bob Roper

From the Desk of Bob Roper

(Written by Jon Meyer)

Karen Rogers completed the world record fastest ever time from the Golden Gate to the San Mateo Bridge at 7h 58m 17sec! (The only other swimmer to make it, Drew Downs, finished in 11h.): 23 miles! She started  out swimming against the ebb, and finished fighting the ebb. Water temp at the South Bay was 63. Winds at the South Bay were 21 knots, making waves 3 1/2 – 4 feet high (“Victory at Sea” – Bob). she averaged over 3 mph in these conditions – a “herculean accomplishment” (Bob: he also told me Karen has a “passion for challenge”: “the tougher it gets, the more she digs in: she loves it” She crashed “out cold” in a sleeping bag on the boat ride home!).
Jim Bock was alongside her in a kayak feeding her the whole time: he “can’t lift his arms” today! (Bob said ‘never again’ only one kayaker for a swim that long!)
The main boat was “changes of Attitude” captained by Dewey chambers, with Tom Posey on as first mate.
(Sue Petro assisted: when Sue had to leave the SE before Karen got back, she turned on the sauna so it would be hot for Karen!)
Bob called Karen “so amazing”!

I am still trying to process my story from my  swim. I have started to write about it but find myself overcome with emotion each time I try to put it into words. Check back soon to see if I can pull it all together.