This weekend I was privileged to be a part of Bob Roper’s team of support swimmers for the 4th Annual Alcatraz and Golden Gate Crossings with Swim Neptune from Arizona. On Saturday, under gray skies, we successfully escaped 80 swimmers and brave parents from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park. This event was inspired in 2006 by 7 year old Braxton Bilbrey, who became the youngest person to swim from Alcatraz with his coach Joe Zemaitis. Not only did Braxton accomplish this incredible feat in 1 hour 58 minutes but he successfully raised $13,000 for drowning prevention during his record crossing. After much media attention, Joe and Braxton realized the power of their dream to help others learn how to swim and they formed an organization called The Foundation for Aquatic Safety and Training or FAST. The following year Braxton and Joe came back with other swimmers and to date they have raised over $60,000 for their foundation.

In 2009 the addition of the Golden Gate crossing was added to the weekend of events. On Sunday in some of the worst conditions I have ever swam in the stretch of water from the south tower to the Marin County side of the gate, we successfully crossed 45 determined swimmers. These little swimmers are my heroes.

Much thanks to the great Bob Roper, who organized and orchestrated this event with the help of the members from the South End Rowing Club and the Dolphin Club. At the awards ceremony on Sunday Joe said that he would like to see how big this event can grow and I am in awe of their dedication to following their dream.  Another amazing example of Dream it! Swim it!