Lady Liberty, Me and a Hot Summer Night

by Laura Tiedge, Rye Y Sr. Director of Healthy Living

Don't wait for your ship to come in - swim out to it.
- Author Unknown
Or in my case, swim AROUND it!

I am a lifelong swimmer.  I learned to swim at the Jersey City YMCA in New Jersey with my mom looking on in the bleachers above the pool.  I went on to compete on the Y’s swim team and then in high school.  In adulthood I continued to swim for fitness, and began sharing my love of the water with others as a swim coach and instructor.  I even taught my husband to swim, and I’m proud to report that he is a great swimmer and that we are still married J

I feel totally at home in and around the water.  It calms me and gives me energy.  To say I am passionate about swimming is an understatement.  It is this deep connection to the water that has fueled my ventures into open water swimming. 

There is nothing quite like getting out of the pool and swimming with a destination, and on the night of June 29^th, I had quite the destination swim.  At 4:10 p.m., after winding my way through the long and very hot check-in line, I boarded a Statue Cruises Ferry.  I was on my way to circumnavigate the iconic Statue of Liberty as a swimmer!

We landed on this universal symbol of freedom and democracy before 5:00 p.m.  It was a hot and humid day, and without a doubt, each and every one of the 400 sweaty swimmers waiting for the race to begin could hardly wait to jump in the water and cool off.  However, start time was still nearly two hours away.  We sought refuge under the cool shade provided by the trees lining the island, and wiled away the time resting and taking in the sights of a Lower Manhattan skyline under restoration.

As the island cleared of tourists it was time for the pre-race briefing and then final preparations before lining up for our swim waves.  We were surrounded by the nervous energy of the swimmers and the shear awe we each experienced as we stood preparing to embark on an adventure around the waters surrounding Lady Liberty. 

Now time seemed to accelerate and suddenly our waves were being called.  I was in the first wave of 40 swimmers.  As we restlessly waited for the start, my fellow adventurers chatted about the swim, and those who had completed it in the past shared some last minute tips.  With timing chips, numbered swim caps and goggles in place we boarded a ferry off of the dock and proceeded to the exit door and entrance to the water.  Every 5 seconds two of us plunged feet first into the chilly and choppy Hudson River to the command of go, go, go from the race volunteers.

When I hit the water the coolness took my breath away, as the cold was magnified by my overheated body.  After everyone in my wave had entered the water and swam over to the starting gate, the countdown began. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and GO!  We were off, a churning pot of arms and legs swimming against a strong current in very choppy water.

It took me a while to find my rhythm.  This was a new swimming venue for me so I sighted for the buoys more than was necessary, but I wanted to be sure I was swimming straight.  As I approached the front of the Statue I began breathing to the left, my non-dominate side, just to get a glimpse of the Lady – and what an awesome perspective this provided.  She is magnificient and I felt so small in the waters below her pedestal.  The magic continued as I made my way around the Island and picked up a little boost from a current that was now with me.  The longest stretch provided me with beautiful views of the New York skyline. 

Another turn put the finish in my sights and the current pushing against me.  I put my head down, put more power in my long strokes and finally found myself at the last buoy and the ladder back up to the dock.  I had done it – I swam around the Statue of Liberty.

As swimmers from the subsequent waves finished their swim the Island began filling up with swimmers and their supporters.  Everyone was posing to have their pictures taken, medals around their necks, with the backdrop of the Statue.  Then it was time for a barbeque where we ate and shared stories of our experiences in the waters around Lady Liberty.

It was then time to board the ferry back to Manhattan.  As the Statute faded from view beside a beautiful sunset, I reflected on what was such a wonderful opportunity and experience – a little scary, challenging at times, but such a feeling of accomplishment.  I wished my mom had been there watching over me just as she had at all of my swim lessons and swim meets, but Lady Liberty would have to do!

As we made our way back to the parking garage a man stopped me, and having seen my medal and race number on my arms, he asked, “Hey, did you just do one of those Ironman’s?”  I replied, “No, I just swam around the Statue of Liberty.”  He smiled, and shaking his head said, “That is so cool!”  I sensed that when he went home that night that he would tell his family or friends about this person who swam around the Statue of Liberty.  Hopefully more will find inspiration from the grand Lady in the water!

New Colossus (The Statue of Liberty Sonnet)

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"