Swimming the open seas

Swimmers in bright-colored caps sliced through the waves off Bryant Park Beach in Traverse City, watched over by volunteers in kayaks, sailboats and a cruiser.

In a week filled with Olympian gold and Michael Phelps excitement, these athletes challenged the elements, their skills and endurance during the Traverse Bay Open Water Challenge.

"Once you hit the first mile, you really hit your groove and know what to expect from conditions in the water and can adjust your stroke," said Jamie Chapman, 18, of Traverse City, who swam two miles. "You feel like you could go on forever."

The annual event hosted by the Traverse City Breakers Swim Club drew 52 swimmers Saturday to compete in six categories:

The Traverse Bay Open Water Challenge was originally scheduled for late June, the traditional time for the annual event, but chilly water temps prompted the move. Although the change may have dampened the number of participants, meet director Susan Cover deemed the gathering "very, very successful."

"Everybody had a great time and it was a beautiful day," said Cover. "We lost a few swimmers just because in June it's a qualifying time for some of the other events and in August it's kind of hard for people to plan their vacations and everybody's back to high school swimming."

Tressa Collins, 13, was one of five participants from the Huron Valley Penguins Swim Club -- including sisters Grace, 11, and Mara, 7. Before the 1.5-mile event, the experienced swimmer reflected on her first open-water swim.

"I think it looks really hard but a lot of fun," said Tressa while getting a protective layer of sunscreen applied.

Teammate Nikki Wattles, 12, who was enrolled in the mile event, noted that open-water swimming varies from the team's twice-daily in-pool training.

"It's a lot different because there are no walls," said Wattles, a veteran of open water races. "I love it, it's cool and more fun."

Ken Sygit, coach of the Blue Water Swim Club from Port Huron, brought seven swimmers to the races. The group learned of the event from the family of a former teammate now living in Traverse City.

After leading the team on a warm-up run to the beach from their overnight crash pad at a home on Wayne Hill, Sygit also participated in the 2-mile event.

"They've been working hard all summer, swimming two times a day and lifting with me," said Sygit. "This is a fun team thing, so they can be here and get on their coach."

College swimmer Jim Pogue of South Lyon has been back in the pool for the past two years, spurred on by former Eastern Michigan University teammates after a three-decade hiatus. Swimming in his second Traverse Bay Open Water Challenge, he appreciated the Bay's clean water as well as the challenges of an outdoor race.

"When you're in a pool you've got a black line to keep you going straight," said Pogue. "Here I'd go about 50 strokes and pop my head up and see whether the orange buoy is left, right or straight."

For more information on the Traverse City Breakers Swim Club, see www.tcbreakers.com.

Photos

Volunteer Lynn Schultz writes a number on the arm of Taylor Christensen, 8, of Keego Harbor. Special to the Record-Eagle