Forty US Masters swimmers, US Swimmers and US Triathletes will swim the entire length of Beaver Lake from HWY 412 Bridge to Beaver Dam August 26-27. The forty-mile event will be completed as a relay made up of 40 athletes swimming 1 mile each. Swimmers will be supported by a Kayak and chase boat for the duration of the swim. The event is estimated to take 20-24 hours to complete and is meant to promote swimming in Arkansas, the Corp of Engineers Learn to swim program and to raise money for the Jones Center for Families.
The event was dreamt up after Jeff Spencer and a group of swimming friends swam 3.8 miles on Beaver Lake from Point 4 out around Starkey Island and back on the 4th of July weekend, an annual event Spencer has held for the last 5 years. “We threw out this crazy idea about swimming the length of the lake and within a couple of weeks we had over 50 athletes signed up”. Spencer said, “ the time slots that filled up first surprisingly were the overnight hours”, confirming the adventurous spirit of the swimmers.
People can track swimmers progress online at http://www.myathletelive.com/events" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Swimmers will leave 412 Bridge Friday at 5PM and are estimating to be at the Beaver Dam Saturday around 2 pm (give or take a couple hours).
Arkansas Masters Swimming coaches will be available at Dam Site Recreation area from 2-4pm for swim lessons for all ages and abilities in conjunction with the Corp of Engineers “Learn to Swim” program. The Corp will also be showcasing a new lifejacket loan program.
For more Long Dam Swim event information on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248680798484143" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jeff Spencer, President - Arkansas Masters Swimming, SwimSpen@gmail.com Cell479-685-0385
For more information on the supporting organizations:
US Masters Swimming and Arkansas Masters Swimming http://www.usms.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
USA Triathlonshttp://www.usatriathlon.org
USA Swimminghttp://www.usaswimming.org
The Jones Center Poolhttp://www.thejonescenter.org/pool
The event organizer Jeff Spencer is looking for volunteer kayakers to participate by paddling alongside the swimmers. If you would like more info use the links in the above message.