Re: [Paddlewise] A followup

On Sun, 06 Aug 2000 09:40:14 -0700, ralph diaz  wrote:

-snip-

>Despite the truce, the motorboat was not about to give in.  Persuasion
>switched to a silent form.  The motorboat crowded close to us and its
>exhaust fumes strongly whiffing over us.  It bothered me, I know it was
>affecting the swimmer.  I let it go for away and finally yelled to stand
>off.  They gave in and fell back.
>
>The swimmer finished the race in 1:23 exactly and came within seconds of
>catching the swimmer in the wet suit.  Cheers went up as we came into
>the embayment.  Large yachts were having cocktail hour and the
>partygoers toasted the last swimmers as they came in.  Everyone was
>excited and energized by the race and the struggle of those rear
>swimmers.  Crowds on the pier cheered.
>
>The motorboat had continued following us into the embayment pushing
>aside the kayakers as it came.  It felt they were continuing their
>menacing but all they wanted to do was to return a race flag that they
>carried to show they were part of the race.
>
>I was busy still having "words" with the crew, when I heard myself
>called from the finish line dock.  A swim helper was calling me.  I saw
>he was steadying the woman swimmer who had a huge smile on her face.
>"Muchissimas gracias" she was saying over and over again.
>
>ralph diaz
>

Thanks for posting your report Ralph.  I'm sorry that you and your swimmers had 
to put up with the questionable behavior of the motor boaters, and breathe 
their exhaust as well.

You did an admirable job, and I congratulate all the swimmers and paddlers 
involved.

I'm just sorry I wasn't there to help out with the escort, as it sounds like a 
fine thing to do.  With all the people who paddle out of the Downtown 
Boathouse, I'm a bit surprised at the low turnout of paddlers.  What happened?

Melissa






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