Periodically throughout the summer we will be featuring accounts from long distance swimmer, Rick Wright. Rick contacted us this spring to ask us about specifics concerning the northern stretches of the Connecticut River and to purchase a CT River Paddler’s Trail Map in preparation for swimming the full length of the river from the Quebec border to Long Island Sound. Rick, who is 72, started on his journey last year, swimming 50 miles of the CT river between Hartford and Old Saybrook CT over 8 days in the summer of 2015. Stay tuned for more news from Rick over the course of the summer!
“Before I start, I need to thank several people show have made a real difference is helping organize a swim from Canada to Hartford, CT.
This can only begin with the terrific people from the NorthWoods Center in VT. Susan, Ross, Kelsey-the blog lady, the cartographer-river map guy, and others who have been supportive and informative AND, not one has said I am nuts or crazy – yet! They are a special part of VT’s Northeast Kingdom (should be a state or even a country of their own).
Also, there is a special company that I found online (Just Wet Suits). One of the owners (Kristen) has been amazing to receive advice from and to guide me in a direction for wet suits, glove, skull protective caps and so on. Once in awhile you find someone that really understands what Triathletes, Iron People, and recreational folks like me, need. By the way, they are based in the middle of a desert (Chandler, AZ). Go figure.
Now for the beginning. I had made what can best be described as a false start. My intention had been to swim the 3 CT River Lakes at the headwaters of the CT River. My wet suit was more than fine, but I did not listen to advice on wearing gloves and a full head protective cap so as I was entering the water I realized the temperature was not what I had thought (55+) and instead was colder – as was the air (65 that day with wind). I need to wear fins as I have no feeling in either leg below the knees. By the time I put my fins on in the water, my hands and ankles had turned blue. I started to swim a short distance and lost feeling my hands-so I got out. Something about living to fight another day! I loves and full cap arriving later this week.
However, I decided to start from the end of the river closest to where I am. The entry point was South Windsor, CT and exit at East Hartford, CT – just about 6 miles. The exit point is where I started my swim last year for 50 miles over a few days to Old Saybrook, CT. So I decided to eventually swim all the swimmable portions of the river which is 410 miles-including the lakes and some long stretches that do not have enough water to swim OR are true rapids and cannot be safely swum (is that word?) Of the 410 miles, I would estimate that 360 or so are good for swimming of which I did 50 last year and now 6 as of today.
Enough boring stuff. Today is only a start – water was just below 55 degrees and air about 65 with wind and rain – basically it sucked! The river map had this stretch at between 3 & 4 miles and it turned out to be 6 (using a Garmin GPS time & distance watch). Now the hard part-from Windsor, CT to Old Saybrook, CT the CT River is tidal. It empties into Long Island Sound and has about a 6 foot rise and fall two times daily depending on weather and the moon. My swim today was at the end of drain tide or ebb tide. At that point current almost stands still for a short while and here comes the incoming tide. I tried like hell to beat the incoming part. The last mile or 2 was real work. Once I get above Windsor, there will be little to no tidal influence so swimming with the current will be consistent – except the still water of the lakes.
I would like to tell you that I saw all kinds of wildlife, but I didn’t. Some birds and some fish jumped and then the Hartford City skyline – compares well to any intermediate city. Mostly, boring.
How I handle boring — meet WILSON! Wilson is my tow along dry bag with Wilson 2 written on it (from the Tom Hanks movie with a volleyball). Once bored, Wilson is my constant companion and listens well so I told him part of my life story. He seems content to just zone out and float along.
So this is it for day 1. I do not swim with anyone or have anyone in a chase boat – just me and Mother Nature. Quiet, peaceful in fact, and I get to be away from technology and other people for some time. I do carry a cell phone in my dry bag as well as bottles of water and water shoes if I need to get out and hike some. I am blessed with being totally comfortable in open water and grew up being able to take care of myself in nature. I would not suggest anyone do what I am doing, however, if you have a passion or a vision to do something as a life challenge – don’t wait – do it!! Age is not a factor unless you allow it to be.
Enjoy your week.”
Rick Wright