When most people go for a sporting weekend in Vermont in the middle of winter they pack skis, sleds, and snowshoes – all taking up a lot of space.  But my sports equipment took up a small nylon bag consisting of a swimsuit, goggles, a cap and earplugs.  That’s all that was needed to participate in the Inaugural USA Winter Swimming Championships in Newport, Vermont this past weekend.

Not long after I got back from China did I learn about this event.  While major winter swim events are held in Europe and Russia this was going to be the first one on our shores in cooperation with the International Winter Swimming Association – and some of the folks we met in China were going to be there.  After some thought and consideration by the team of Bornstein, Bosch, Bradley and Glum (for all your cold water swimming needs) we figured how could we not attend?

Newport, Vermont is a pretty small town, a few blocks from Canada.  We could be assured that the water would be cold.  The local organizers worked in cooperation with the IWSA and members of CIBBOW’s to make this happen.  This was to be a series of real swims – not just a “performance” or plunge. I signed on for the 25 meter breast stroke – there were also 50 and 100 meter freestyles – in a 25 meter two-lane “pool” carved into the frozen Lake Memphremagog. I started training – at St. Sebastian’s pool and at Coney Island. The only difference was the pool was 83 degrees, and at Coney I never ventured in water over my head.  Lake Memphremogog was going to be both cold and deep – a formidable combination that I wouldn’t do until I had to.

Diane, Dave and I drove up Friday and got to town for the welcome reception at a food center that featured locally made products.  Over Vermont cheeses, fritters and beverages about 40 of us met and got our new blue tee shirts. The largest contingents were from New York City – many from the CIPBC  and CIBBOW’s –  and Boston, though other states were represented too.  The leadership of the IWSA was there too. It was great for us to see Maria, Roman, Alex and meet John.

As this was the first time an event of this type was being held, there were some last minute changes and revisions.  In fact the next morning Dave and I were enlisted to help finish off the “pool.”  Through the efforts of Roman and Alex and their Russian/Latvian cold water pool platform building skills and ingenuity the event kicked off in the early afternoon with the 25 meter breast stokers going first.

Yes it was very cold – though I made a point of not asking the air temperature, wind chill, water temperature, or depth.  Suffice it to say that any scene from  the flick Dr. Zhivago could have easily been filmed on Lake Memphremagog last Saturday.  I really didn’t want to know any details. Over the last few weeks I had developed my swimming mantra – repeated constantly in my mind as I did my practice laps.

We were placed in a “warming house” to change and wait for a brief ride to the pool.  My adrenaline was kicking in – but in truth I was concerned about following through.  It was repeated a few times by the organizers that if we felt unsure we could drop out prior or raise our hands in the water and be taken out. I channeled all my positive vibes – at this point it was mental strength that mattered more to me – and I suppose everyone else – than physical stamina.  A few days prior I had a dream – and please know I rarely remember dreams or buy into them – but in the dream a childhood friend – who I have not seen in at least 30 years – put his arm around my shoulder and said, “You can do this.”  Weird but true.

In a Zen-like trance I went down to the pool and stepped onto the submerged platform (that I had helped build two hours earlier) and looked at the far end.  I knew at that exact moment that I could swim there and all doubts immediately dissolved.

My partner in the heat was Capri – a member of the CIPBC and rock star in the world of cold water swimming – great karma to have her in the lane next to me.  As soon as I heard the word “Go”  I swam. I was doing it. Even with earplugs I heard the crowd and most importantly the encouraging shouts of Diane and Dave. Yes, I had a moment about two thirds out but I knew I could – and I did.  I was absolutely euphoric – and surprisingly not really cold – when I emerged from what I was to learn a 31 degree water, 10+ foot deep pool with very sharp ice edges in air temperature that was 18 F with wind chills in the single digits.

George, Bill and Dave each swam; George and Bill twice, Dave three times going for the 100M.  Bill’s Mom and daughters were there to witness his achievements. After warming up – or possibly as part of the warm up – Diane, Dave and I celebrated with martinis (just as tasty as those at the Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel – though a lot cheaper).  Later at dinner we socialized with all the participants – again it was clear to me that cold water swimmers are the warmest people around.

From now on Vermont will be pegged in my mind as a place known not just for cheddar cheese, Currier and Ives landscapes and socialist senators – but as a place where I did something I never did before.

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