The Swim was a Success.
The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim has finished its 411-mile journey, symbolically carrying iron ore pellets from the shipwreck site to Detroit, Michigan.
It was a spiritual experience. I felt the river embrace me as I swam. I thought of the 29 sailors, their spirits watching us…and how terrified they must have been in their final moments, tossed around in hurricane size waves. I prayed to stay focused on my breathing. The rise and fall of the waves caressed and soothed me, lulling me into an ethereal and peaceful frame of mind.
There were 17 four-member relay teams of swimmers, starting where the freighter now rests off Whitefish Point Lighthouse to where it was heading when the storm capsized the ship 50 years ago. I was fortunate to experience a true ‘once in a lifetime’ event swimming in stage 16 with my team. I had three teammates, a wonderful captain, our esteemed leader, a videographer and a trained health professional to monitor us.
My team swam the St. Clair River, one of the swiftest rivers in North America. Swimming with the current, we soared down the river at five knots per hour. We covered 30.8 miles in under 8 hours.
We swam past yachts, freighters, and pleasure boats. Mid-channel we were able to glide through the turquoise, 69-degree water. Supporters cheered us from shore while we swam, cowbells ringing and car horns honking.
We proclaimed ourselves the “geriatric” group, since three of us are over 65. The group’s youngster, Chris Totten swam over 2.4 miles in each of his 30-minute relays.
As one of the least-trained swimmers in the event, I was nervous. Adrenaline kicked in every time I swam. I’ve never run a marathon, biked a mountain trail, or swam for an extended period. I needed to train and prepare. The crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald would want me to be ready for anything the river was going to throw at us.
Back in January I began swimming three to four times a week in a pool at the local Y. I even changed my diet to pasta and protein and gave up alcohol and junk food.
It was a long eight months! I am leaner and stronger now.
The most exciting part of swimming in the middle of the St. Clair River’s channel are the freighters. Each one greeted us with their triple horn salute. I always felt safe in the water, even as I watched a thousand-footer bearing down on me. The guide boat between us was my only protection.
Buoyed and unable to see bottom in forty-foot water, I could feel each stroke carry us closer to our shared goal. When I was called back to the boat, I had to check my watch to ensure I had been swimming for 30 minutes. Time flew by so quickly. We were finishing our leg fast. We passed the halfway point after four hours.
Working to ensure our safety, Captain Hugh was in constant contact with surrounding ships. In addition to his wise water sense, we had the support of two pleasure boaters who monitored and helped guide our safety.
Our team’s finish was in Algonac; there we were greeted with cheers by friends and family.
The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial swim’s 68 participants share a poignant experience forging a unique bond. Carrying iron ore pellets on behalf of the 29 men lost at sea fifty years ago was a privilege and honor. We swam to remember them and felt their presence guide us and give us strength. We were finishing the course that the ‘Gale Winds of November’ stole from them.
I am very grateful for all the support we received.
I’ve felt a little lost since we reached our goal. Preparing, training, and building swimming endurance absorbed my attention for months.
My experiences at this event have been and will be cherished. Much like John Prine’s song “Souvenirs”, I have a collection of priceless memories.
Writing credit to my dear friend Vashi Yusuf, a wordsmith that helped with this very emotional piece.
Please follow me on my web site, www.sallysteinborn.com, for more news about my new manuscript.
- Sally
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