[Paddlewise] Who We Are

To Paddlewise,
	Greetings from Richard Clifford. Native Manhattanite, second generation
Irish closing in on our family's first century in this country. Another
paddler from the New York arena. 47 years of age. Old fart? Who's to
say? I still have a working (outdoor) hot tub. What does that say?
Attorney in Manhattan, living in Westchester Co. just north of the city.
Divorced, two great daughters. 
	My kayaking year patterns the school year from September through the
cold water months to May/June. At times I put up posts about
hypothermia, issues, informational sites & material, and news. During
the Summer kayaking is always challenge with the power boat squadron out
in force. But I do participate as "volunteer" kayaker during the Summer
which I will explain in a moment. First, I take my kayak (Current
Designs Solstice ST) into the waters of the Long Island Sound regularly
between New Rochelle/Larchmont to the Norwalk Islands. And, I do some
regular paddling in the Hudson River and around Manhattan Island.
	The "volunteer". I have long enjoyed working and training with ultra
distance or marathon swimmers, typically prepping for the Channel
(English-French) swim or around Manhattan. I was the kayaker with
swimmers on the third (Marcia Cleveland) and eighth (Arthur Coleman)
fastest trips around Manhattan. http://www.swimnyc.com/p0000842.htm I
will point out that both efforts were under cover of darkness, starting
at 2:20 A.M.. Marcia's log: http://www.swimnyc.org/p0002385.htm  In the
races around the island my individual swimmer companions have fared well
enough through the years, with a first and two seconds place finishes. 
	You see amazing sites going around at that time. By far the most
spectacular is coming down the Hudson with a swimmer (being given some
room by the escort boats), just north of the George Washington Bridge,
before dawn; light on the GWB are being dimmed, stars are still in the
sky, pale moon light. And, along the line of Do Not Try This At Home,
one would be well advised, do not try that trip (day or night) alone or
without a lot of experienced folks. 
	After being involved in many sucessful efforts, and because I failed to
get my head down quickly enough or perhaps keep it down long enough I
was nabbed as the "kayak coordinator" for the Manhattan Island
Foundation ("MIF")  http://www.nycswim.org  Take a look. You all are
welcome to join in and assist. We always need help. 
	MIF has an annual swim known as the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
("the big event"), obviously around the island (approx. 28.5 miles).
This year the big event will take place on June 12. 
	MIF also sponsors several Hudson River swims along with Hudson River
Park Conservancy and the New York City Department of Parks and
Recreation and corporate sponsor D'Agostino Supermarkets. We have a
Little Red Lighthouse swim (7.8 miles), a Wrong Way swim (2.4 miles) (up
the Hudson, but with the tides), and an Anuual Greater Hudson River Swim
(2.8 miles). 
	I have enjoyed luring into the clutches of MIF many of the folks I see
on this list. And I have had the pleasure of kayaking with many of them.
Ralph Diaz has participated with the past swims and now is sharing some
of his vast expertise and experience organizing for the future swims.
Bill Leonhardt has helped with swims and been great company on some
trips in this area. Jack (Joq) Martin also is a great guy. But what
happened to this year's cold water clinic that CPA had last January?!
	Anyway, I don't recall spotting Jackie's bio. After all she is the
person who we must all thank for this terrific list. Well moderated,
good topics. And, not a regional issue ranting post. From what I see it
is quite international. Thanks Jackie. Best Richard
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