The Tahoe 360   

A 68 Mile Journey Around the Perimeter of Lake Tahoe

Jamie Patrick   Crew Out-line• Tahoe City • August 31st - September 1st, 2012

Each person comes into this world with a specific destiny--he has something to fulfill, some message has to be delivered, some work has to be completed. You are not here accidentally--you are here meaningfully. There is a purpose behind you. The whole intends to do something through you.-Osho 

OVERVIEW

Wow  - We are finally here.  It is less than a two weeks before our swim around Lake Tahoe.  I first want to thank all of you for being there for me.  It truly means the world to me.  Without all of you this would not be possible.  Doing something of this magnitude takes an army of people and I feel very lucky to have such amazing support.

Many of you have been on these adventures with me before.  From The Tahoe Double to Swimming California to The Triple Ironman.  They all have been extremely hard mentally and physically.  This swim surpasses all those. Two years ago during my Tahoe swim I experienced the most difficult time in my athletic career.  You ask then why go back and why go further? Why put yourself in this place again?  The answer is simple.  I want to go beyond what I have done before and do it better.  I  believe it is possible.  I want to show myself and the world that you can truly accomplish anything.

Please understand that that I do this for many more reason than just to get to the destination.  This swim is not about records or becoming the first.  The only records will be ones I set for myself.  I use these swims to become a better person.  Each stroke changes me.  I chose Lake Tahoe because of its magic.  Lake Tahoe has been a place that I call home.  I grew up going to the Lake.  I have lived there and I have spent more hours in this body of water than any other.  I have a strong relationship with her.  She has protected me and shown me the way many times.  The Lake will once again will be the place of self discovery.  I am nervous, excited and ultimately ready.  I am excited to share this journey with all of you.

It is important to me that you experience this swim as an adventure and not a competition.  The goal is to get me to the other end and have a great time along the way.  This will take a combination of fun, pain, happiness, sadness.  All this will make up the adventure.  There will be hurdles to overcome both in and out of the water.  The goal is solve the puzzle piece by piece.  Some of the puzzle pieces may not be in the box when it is opened, so we may have to make some of the pieces ourselves.  I do these things not only to get to the other side, but for the experience along the way.  This is what I want you do as well.  Experience the day, the night and ultimately we will accomplish this adventure.  Have fun.....When you are having fun, I will be having fun.

After much thought, consideration and discussion I have decided to once again wear a wetsuit for this swim.  Please understand that this is not a marathon swim and I want the world to understand this.  We have an opportunity to explain this and to teach people the difference.  I also want to make it very clear why I do the things I do.  I am not out to set out records of any kind except for those personally.  I am happy to tell my story, but my story needs to be loud and very clear.  This is important to me.  I want people to see it for what it is.  An adventure that allows me to grow mentally, physically and spiritually.  I want to experience this amazing journey with all of you.  I want to watch the sunset and the sunrise with you.  I want to celebrate all the way.  I want to pull energy from each and every one of you.  I want to swim side by side you.  I want to laugh and cry along the way.  

I have a few goals for the journey.  The first and foremost is to grow as a person.  I want to go place I have never gone both mentally and physically.  Please understand that.  I talk a lot along the way.  I will tell you how I am feeling (good or bad).  I sometimes want companionship, but at times I want to be alone.  I ask you to allow me to experience going into very painful places.  This is why I do this.  Garrett, Phil, Jen S. and Brian will have the final say in pulling me.  I have taken out a number of elements in this swim.  I will not be cold because of the use of the wetsuit.  I will float better on my feeds because of the wetsuit.  The wetsuit allows me to go places that honestly I could not without it.  Please share this with those that are following.  Make it clear that I am using this aid to go places that I have never been.

This will not only be extremely hard on me, but it will be hard on you as well.  Listen to Garrett as he has been there - both the good and bad.  If you have a question or not sure about something just ask.  Together we will swim around Lake Tahoe.  I mean that...  Together... Enjoy it, embrace it and realize that every stroke will makes this journey.  I love you all...  Thank you.

The basic plan for the Tahoe 360 is simple.  I plan to swim from the Commons Beach in Tahoe City as the start and finish.  I have developed a route that we will follow.  In a nut shell I will swim close shore around the lake but following straight lines.  See chart attached.  We will start this adventure at 6am on Friday August 31st.  I plan to finish approximately 40 hours later.  This puts us into a second night.  Something that I have never done before.  The total distance will be 68 statute miles.  This journey will be my greatest of all time and I am extremely excited to share it with all of you.  We have developed a crew outline for assignments.  This is just that an outline.  It is not set in stone, but more of a guide.  We will present this on Thursday night before the swim.

Tahoe is truly one of the most magical and spiritual places on the planet.  Last month I spent almost 80 hours on the lake piloting other swimmers as well as swimming.  This Lake pulls me towards her in a way that I can not describe.  She has a plan for me on this swim.  It scares and excites me to find out what that is.  I hope you connect with this incredible Lake as I have.  Together we will share in the journey.  

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo Buscaglia

The Swim

As stated before the swim will start and finish at the Commons Beach in Tahoe City, just behind the Fire Station.  This is a major change to the plan.  After last weekends training swim, I have decided to make this change for two reasons.  The first is the fact that the north side of the Lake will take the hardest pounding by wind in the late afternoon.  I do not want to be potentially exposed to the toughest part 35 hours into the swim.  By starting in Tahoe City I should have flat water through the north end.  The second is that coming up the west side towards Tahoe City is incredible beautiful.  To finish here will be amazing. 

The approximate distance of this swim is 68 miles.  I will have a GPS Navigation system with way points set.  This is the path that the pilot boat will travel.  We will have two kayaks in the water at all times.  One will act as the lead (especially at night).  The other will be right next to me.  The lead kayak can return to the boat for supplies while the other stays with me.

I would like to stay within 100 meters of shore at all times.  Night time will be a challenge, but fun.  Because the shore line is not straight I have chosen a path that follows it fairly close.  We will not go into every nook and cranny on the shore line.  We have developed a path that we believe is safe and navigable.

The key for this swim is to be patient.  I must live in the moment and rely on maintaining this.  I must go slow, but keep my stroke together.  Too slow I will develop shoulder pain too early.  There is only so many hours I can push through with bad shoulders.  Too fast I will blow.  It is a fine line.  Please watch me and help me keep a consistent stroke.  This stroke count should be around 56.  I have a longer DPS than most and my turnover rate is a bit slower.  

I will feed every 20 minutes.  This is the same as my other swims.  However, I have changed a few things.  I have extended these feeding to allow by body to lower my HR and begin digestion vertical in the water.  I have bumped up my caloric intake from 300 to 425 an hour.  This has really helped.  Nutrition plan attached.  Because I feed every 20 minutes my overall per mile pace will be slower because of the extra feed.  Last weekend I did a non stop 2 hour swim and covered 8 kilometers.  My goal is to tap this way down.  I do not want to go more than 2.3 miles in the first hour with stops.  This is important because I will be excited with all the energy.  

If you would like to swim with me, please understand that you must swim at my pace.  If you are ahead of me, it stresses me out.  If you can not keep up I can not change my stroke for fear of injury.  I would love to swim with everyone, but please understand that I may not be in a good place and just being with me is comforting.  The goal in any ultra event is to understand that you will go through bad times, but knowing that you WILL pop out the other side.  When I feel good, I want to make it last as long as possible.  I have gone through this many, many times and the key to making it last as long as possible is do exactly what you are doing and not changing anything.  It is not a time to pick up your stroke and go faster.  Ultimately this will make the bad times last longer.  Please watch me..  You will know when I feel good.  I am using a flag that is spring loaded that my daughter made.  When you are in the kayak please pop it up every 10 minutes.  This is a reminder for me to check in with myself.  I have been working very hard on the mental side of this swim and this is a tool for me to do this.

I have a pattern in my long swims.  I go through a bad stress at around two hours in.  I do not know why, it just happens.  Generally I throw up and gag a bit. It does not last long, so do not be alarmed.  This happens again around 7-9 hours and then again when I begin to feel that I have so much farther to go.  Just get me back to the moment.  I do feel better after.

This journey is not just one that brings me around the Lake, it is one that goes on in my head.  I will travel to some amazing and dark places.  Places I have been before and places I could not have imagined going.  Communicate this to the people watching.  It is an amazing experience.  I want to share this with you and others.

Because this is not a Marathon swim, those rules do not apply.  However I am including MY rules for this swim and I would like all of us to follow them.  This is important to me.

1. I shall start outside the water and enter on my own.

2. I shall not touch or grab onto and support boat at anytime during the swim. (if the boat accidently bumps me that is ok)

3. No high fiving...If you are in the water with me, please do not touch me.  An air high five is just as good.

4. I shall exit the water where I started with NO assistance from anyone.  This means that I must clear the water line on my own power.  Please do not let any people on the beach help me or hug me until I have cleared the water.

CREW ASSIGNMENTS

On Thursday night before the swim, we will present the crew plan.   Again, this is a guide and not set in stone.  If you want to switch with someone that is ok.  In addition, we have a condo on the water in South Lake.  This will be a place for you to get off the boat and rest.  The condo is a place to sleep and relax, not a place to hangout and be loud.  Others will be trying to sleep so we must respect this..  Besides the condo, we will have some sleeping bags to crash on the roof deck of the boat.  It truly is important for you to get rest.  Bring a book to read.  The roof deck is an amazing place to hang out.  Take a nap.  It will get hard... Trust me...

When you are not piloting or kayaking I ask each of you to make a post to the portal.  It is best to do this after you have kayaked.  A short post on what went on during your time with me in the water.  Further down in this document there is instructions on how to make a post.  It is easy.  Everyone will help with nutrition.  At each kayak exchange we want to make sure fresh nutrition is put on the kayak to avoid any issues especially at night.  Hand held radios will be provided and will be used to communicate with the support boat.

Please understand the boat will be crowded so only crew should be on the boat.  The approved list is above.  If others want to come out including media then they can with my dad.  His number is 415-867-3304.  We just do not have enough room to accommodate any more.  

TIME LINE

The timeline has changed many times over the last two weeks due to a variety of things.  As of today we believe that we have a solid plan of attack and I am very excited about this plan.  Please read this closely and if you have any questions please let me know.  Some of this may be repeated through this document.

Thursday August 30th, 2012

Please plan to be at my cabin before 5pm on Thursday August 30th.  You may come up in the days before if you like.  I will be up in Tahoe on Tuesday.  We will provide dinner around 6pm.  If you cannot be there by 5pm please let me or Garrett know.    We will have a crew meeting at 7pm to review all the last minute details including nutrition, navigation, and safety.

The Address to my cabin in Truckee is 

11644 White Fir Trail

Truckee, Ca 

530-587-9103

Thursday evening the boat company will be leaving our support boat on the beach at Ski Beach which is next to the Hyatt in Incline. Garrett and perhaps one more will go retrieve it from Incline and pilot it over to Tahoe City for the start. This will allow us to start early Friday Morning. Karen Rogers will be providing extra  room for people to sleep her home.  After the meeting some will head to Karen’s to spend the night. 

Friday August 19th, 2011

We will leave Truckee at 4am to head towards the Lake.  The start is 20 minutes from my cabin.  This will give us time to drive to Tahoe City and set up the boat

I would like to get on the lake at sunrise as this is the most incredible time out on the lake.  We will push for a 6am start.  This swim will take me around 40 hours to complete and we should finish sometime around 9pm Saturday night. 

I have included a link to the Navigation page for you to review.  Below is a basic outline for timing and estimated location on the lake.

More details at the meeting.

 SUPPORT BOATS

We will have two boats for this swim.  One will be the main support boat and the other will be a fast boat based on the south shore.  The fast boat will be used to run people in an out as well as bring meals out to the crew.  The fast boat will be also used for outside filming and media.  Please contact my dad - Jamie Patrick to work out a plan for filming.  He will be based on the southshore

The great thing about this boat is that it has a roof deck that supports 600 pounds.  I will bring some beach chairs to hang out.  At night the roof deck will act as the sleeping area.  Everyone will be sharing three sleeping bags as we do not have enough room for everyone to bring one. This boat is extremely easy to drive.  When engaged into gear it is a perfect speed to pace a swimmer.

Please bring only one backpack as we will be cramped as it is.  There is plenty of storage so keeping organize will make a much more enjoyable adventure.  I will have additional fuel on board.  I will be providing a safety catch which will prevent any fuel from entering the Lake.  The last thing I want to do is spill fuel into this great lake.

The Tahoe 360

SAFETY

Safety is our number one priority.  Because this swim is going to be done close to shore and during a busy holiday weekend we all must be extremely careful.  Boat traffic will become an issue during the day time, therefore we must take extra precautions to avoid any problems.  We will fly a swimmer flag at all times and will have two additional ones to wave when boats approach.  We will have two kayaks in the water at all times.  There will be a lead kayak that will guide.  The other kayak will stay to my left.  Both Kayaks will be pre strung with chem lights for night time swimming.  The support boat will stay offshore a bit.  Because people will be getting in and out of the support boat (swimming or kayaking) please make sure that the engine is in neutral.  When approaching the boat  please confirm with the pilot that the engine is out of gear.  During the day time, you can check the prop underwater as you approach as well.

There are four locations on the Lake that can be used for (LFE) Life Flight Emergencies.  They are Sand Harbor, Camp Richardson, Homewood and Rubicon Bay.  If the emergency is life threatening and we are near one of these areas that is where we go.  In the event we are not near one of these areas  please contact 911 with GPS coordinates.  Coast Guard will send help out to the lake.  I have included a list of all (ECN) Emergency Contact Numbers on the Contacts Page

Below you will find a list of the gear that will be provided in the event of an emergency.

 Emergency Radio

 Tourniquet - In the event someone gets injured on the boat prop.

 Full first aid kit

 Epi Pen - for lake jellies (hehe) JK 

 Emergency beacon

 Exit point map = provided in this document

Emergency contacts for all counties

Defibrillator

40 glow sticks to used on kayaks and support boat

Navigation system 

EMERGENCY EXIT POINT MAP

The Tahoe 360

CREW MEALS

We will be doing something a bit different this year.  Rather than bring all the food on board at the beginning, we will have food delivered to to the support boat for all meals.  This will include lunch and dinner on Friday and breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday.  All meals will be  prepared by local restaurants and will be run out by our fast boat.

At the start of the swim I will have a cooler full of food and snacks that can be eaten at any time.  As I am trying to be very conscious of our footprint I ask all of you to being your our plastic plate water bottle and utensils.  We will avoid waste.  

On a side note, again, as I am trying to keep this Lake as pristine as possible if you drop something overboard, please let whoever is at the helm to go back and get it.  I will have a fishing net to make it easy to scoop trash.

If you have any special food requirements please let me or Garrett know and we will do our best to accommodate.  

" It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.” Seneca

The Tahoe 360

MILESTONES TO CELEBRATE

I am a believer in celebrating along the way.   Below you will find a number of milestones that I would like to celebrate as we swim around the Lake.

 12 hours completed

Sunset

24 hours completed

Sunrise

25 hrs 26 minutes - my longest wetsuit assisted flat water swim

31 hrs 32 min - my longest wetsuit assisted swim

Every stroke after that

Sunset #2

Finish

" Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide

 SHAPE  \* MERGEFORMAT 

The Tahoe 360

PORTAL/MEDIA

I am honored to have partnered with one of the greatest environmental organizations on the planet - The Sierra Club.  I have begun to raise money for their Water Sentinel Program.  I hope to drive a tone of traffic to my LIVE portal and stimulate them to donate.  This is important to me.  Water has given me so much in life - I want to give back.

The swim will be covered by Good Day Sacramento and Outside TV.  This is exciting as it will help drive traffic.  In addition, there will be a film crew there to make a documentary on the swim.  They all will have access to the fast boat that my dad will be running.  Occasionally they may want get on the support boat to film and to interview.  If you have a problem with being on camera please let me know.  The support boat is full so we cannot have them on for too long.  If you have a GoPro or other camera could you please bring it and film when you can so that we can use it in the documentary.  

Media will be limited to manly my dads fast boat and a friends power boat but will not be on the water 100% of the time.  His phone number is 415-837-3304.  

Metabender has created a portal that followers can log into to follow our progress.  We have set it up so that we can make updates directly from your smart phone.  You can take short video clip, photos and text updates.  It is simple!  If you want to send a text update all you have to do is send an email with your update to  jamietext@crowdbender.com.  Make sure you remove your signature line before sending it.  Send it just like you would any other email from your phone.  It is the same with video and photos except the email address is   jamie@crowdbender.com.  Enter these emails address into your address book before the swim.  The more content we send the better.  Debbie will be doing a larger update once an hour.  The portal is  www.jamiepatrick.com.

With that being said, please be aware of what you are sending to the portal.  Tell about the adventure and what is going on, but please do not embellish anything or state something that you are not sure.  The use of the words record, first, ect should only be used when telling about me personally.  I am not setting any records or becoming first other than my personally accomplishments.

Just remember that once it is out there.  It is permanent!

Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else. 

Leonardo da Vinci

The Tahoe 360

NUTRITION

Nutrition is the biggest part of the swim for me.  I must stick to my plan and follow it religiously.  From the first feeding to the last.  Sticking to it gives the swim a larger possibility of success.  I will rely on you as the crew to monitor this closely.

The idea is for the kayaker to relay what I have eaten on each feeding to the pilot boat for someone to record.  If I get off track, you will need to let me know so that we can correct it.  Communication will be done via radio.  More to come.

Nutrition Outline

Night before the race: PRELOAD with 1 tablespoon baking soda +2 Tablespoons sodium citrate (willspowder.com) per 20oz. – you can add some crystal light or other flavoring here. Drink 20-32oz. Other options are to use The Right Stuff, or add 2-3 teaspoons baking soda to Infinit or SecretDrinkMix.

Morning of: usual breakfast. Then while you are organizing transition aspects, drink another PRELOAD (per above) that is icy cold (want to hyper-hydrate and drop your core temperature).

PRE SWIM: within 30 min of swim start, you want to “top up” breakfast with ~100-160 mixed macronutrient calories. This can be ½ bar, ½ sandwich, a banana with a few nuts

Outline Below!!

Feeds every 20 min

Fluid

Food

Supplements

20 MIN

250 ml SDM

40, and 60 min

250 ml SDM

Protein or Cliff Bar, Salted Potatoes, Sandwich Bite 30-32g Carb

Hour 2-5

250 ml SDM per feed

Protein or Cliff Bar, Salted Potatoes, Sandwich Bite 30-32g Carb

Hour 6-10

250 ml SDM per feed with 2 tbl of sodium citrate added (luke warm)

Dark Chocolate, Salted white potatoes, chicken, Rice balls

5 hour energy non caffeine

Hour 11 -15

300 ml SDM per feed with protein mixed 

Protein or Cliff Bar, Salted Potatoes, Sandwich Bite 30-32g Carb  Jelly Beans, swedish fish, Chocolate peanut butter

Hour 11 & 13 100mg beta alanine and 1 baby aspirin, Tums if needed

Hour 16 to finish

300 ml SDM per feed include 200mg beta alanine in every bottle

Protein or Cliff Bar, Salted Potatoes, Sandwich Bite 30-32g Carb  Jelly Beans, swedish fish, Chocolate peanut butter, Add small sips of soy milk every hour, fig bars

Tums every hour, 5 hour energy when needed or 100mg caffeine as needed, Glucose tabs every 40 minutes

The Tahoe 360

WILDLIFE/TRASH

Wildlife

I would like to be very clear when it comes to wildlife.  I really do not need to say this but I will anyway....In the event we experience any wildlife in the Lake or on land we treat it will respect. Lake Tahoe is fragile and it is important to tread lightly.   

Trash

Because the Lake is going to take care of me, I would like to take care of her.  I would like to make a statement by collecting as much trash out of the Lake as possible.  I will have a bunch of industrial garbage backs.  I ask you to pick up anything you see.  I will have a fishing net to scope any trash we see out of the Lake.   Lets take care of the river so it will take care of us.

Final Thought

Peace will be found on  the lake.  Together we will embrace the hard times and celebrate the good time.  I will pull from your energy and hope I will provide you some as well.  This will be hard, but that is why I do it.  I feel very blessed to just be able to start this swim and we your help I can finish it.  I love you all.  Thank you for sharing this with me.

I write this out of my love for Open Water Swimming.

If you do not already know.....I want to make something very clear. My Lake Tahoe double crossing (swim? event? stunt?) and my (swim? event? stunt?) down the Sacramento River were NOT “marathon” swims. I am including ALL the media in this email that either has covered or will be covering future swims so that it will be very clear there is a difference between what I do and marathon swimming. During a recent interview, I was asked to explain the difference between what I call my “adventure swims” and a “marathon swim.” I paused and thought about it. Because it was important to me give an accurate comparison and true definition of marathon swimming, I told him I would forward on my answer.

After extensive research online for a definition that describes what traditional marathon swimming is. I couldn’t find a clear definition, so I did my best to describe it in my own words. Here is what I will send him:

“Marathon swimming is the act of swimming long distances in the open water (oceans, lakes, rivers) without the use of any aid. There are ongoing discussions revolving around different aspects covered under Marathon Swimming, but I believe everyone close to the open water community is in agreement that Marathon Swimming is done in its purest form, which means wearing only a porous swim suit, goggles and a cap. It is done over a long distance in the open water with no outside artificial assistance including, but not limited to, wetsuits. The swimmer may not exit the water or hold onto any support boat for the entire duration. It is one of the last forms of pure athleticism. It is done solely with the mind and body exposed to all the elements".

With that being said, my Lake Tahoe double crossing and my Sacramento River swim were both WETSUIT ASSISTED. I swam for 25 and 31 hours with the support of a wetsuit. It aided me with warmth, floatation, and a number of other things. During these swims I did not exit the water or touch any support boat. This has been made very clear, but I wanted to reiterate it again in case some did not know already. With that being said I train very hard for what I have done and what I will do. I spend up to 25 hours in the pool and open water a week. I wake at 4am and swim till 7am. I then spend my lunch in the pool. I spend my weekends in the open water doing solo non wetsuit swims of up to 8 hours. Most of the time I am self supported. I have done many overnight training swims where I spend 12 hours in the pool preparing mentally and physically. When I do long wetsuit swims I am confined to a wetsuit for 20, 25, 30 hours or more. It is not comfortable. I have an amazing crew that has been with me on most of my adventures. They have seen the pain, the tears, and the joy. They are all part of my journey and I am very blessed. Some have stated what I have done equates to a stunt and is not swimming. I ask you to come along on one of my long wetsuit swims. Watch my arms and legs go round and round. Watch me suffer beyond belief. If you think it is easy to be confined to a wetsuit for 20, 25, an 30 hours you have no idea.

There is a reason that I have finally decided to send this message is it is my hope that the few people who continue to spend their time and energy criticizing me for what I love to do and how I go about doing it, will instead decide to spend their time focusing on bring the world together not tearing it apart. Attacking me does little to define, promote and support the great sport of marathon swimming. Supporting others - even if they do not share the exact same approach – no doubt will only do good in promoting our shared love for the open water and define the pinnacle of swimming long distances by the time honored tradition of marathon swimming. I think most people in the world understand that there are benefits to swimming in a wetsuit (warmth, speed, floatation) just like there are benefits to being towed into a large wave or being roped into a climb. Deciding to accept this assistance should not take away from the accomplishment in any way. No it is not done by the highest standard but a different form of swimming. Some have discounted my swims as not swimming at all. I find this remarkably elitist. I’ve received many emails from swimmers that have done, or are planning on doing wetsuit assisted long distance swims. Because of the negativity that has been expressed to me, they are fearful of being attacked as I have. I cannot tell you how deeply sad this makes me. I have also been forwarded emails written by these people that have not been public and I can tell you most would be shocked at the, for lack of a better word - "meanness" that has been written.

I may have made some mistakes along the way, but the last thing I ever wanted to do is to hurt anything or anyone, or most especially the sport of marathon swimming. I truly apologize if I have communicated anything incorrectly or if something that I said was misconstrued. My goal has always been to show the world my love and respect for swimming, test myself mentally, physically and spiritually and above everything else - support and respect others. I am not the fastest, first or the best at what I do. I JUST LOVE SWIMMING, plain and simple. I swim to support causes and have raised money for organizations with 100% of the proceeds going directly to those organizations. I make my swims public to raise money and promote causes. I have been very successful in doing so. Again I have been critized for this. I am very proud of the fundraising support that I have done for Alliance for Smiles and Buena Vista Auxiliary. I also look forward to supporting and the Sierra Club during my upcoming swim. I do it to help others. I do it to help protect our enviroment.

Along the way I have gained many amazing sponsors that support what I do. I could not do the things I do without them. Again, these people have critized me for this. To be very honest without their support I would not be able to afford to do the things I do. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

There are many in the Marathon Swimming world that have stepped up and supported me. They have shown me the world of Marathon Swimming as well as shown respect. They have been a positive influence. I recommend that those that are trying to be the leaders take a lesson from these people. Through positive leadership amazing things can happen. When you alienate people you only bring down the thing you are trying to protect.

The Marathon community is fairly small. There is a reason for this. It is tough! It takes an extreme amount of preparation and training. Marathon swimmers are a breed apart. To show the world this amazing sport you must not be AGAINST others, but FOR others, even if it is not done by Marathon Swimming standards. It must be out of respect and creating a positive and influential path that leads to the pinnacle of long distance swimming - Marathon Swimming. Not everyone will get there, but supporting everyone will no doubt increase the visibility of the highest standard that is Marathon Swimming. Rather than bring people down, pump up the thing you love. Show the world the magic of swimming long distances in nothing but a suit and goggles. But don’t criticize others for their accomplishments in the process. Bring people together, do not split them apart. What a few are doing is creating elitism, when they should be promoting an elite form of swimming. You do this through positive actions, not constant attacks and alienation.

To those who have supported me from the world of Marathon Swimming – I THANK YOU. The love you have shown me is truly incredible and I feel extremely blessed.

To those that continute to focus on critizing me, please understand that I have no problem calling my Adventure Swims, when done in a wetsuit, A WETSUIT ASSISTED SWIM. They are!!! If this is your prefered classification, that is fine...Westsuit Assisted Swim it is!! Are we done yet? However, I am an Adventure Swimmer weather I do it in a wetsuit or not. I design, create and and do swims for the pure adventure of it. My goal is to live life as much as I can at water level. This is what makes me happy. I compare myself to no one. I am my own person and swimmer. I work hard at what I do to better myself.

So it is time to move on... I strongly believe that a new direction must created. Because this all started from an article titled "WHATS WRONG WITH MARATHON SWIMMING" I believe it is time for a article to be written titled "WHAT IS SO RIGHT WITH MARATHON SWIMMING" This will do so much more for the sport. I will be happy to provide an outline if some direction is needed because to me there are so many amazing things to be told about this sport and community. There are so many accomplishments and so many aspect that truly make this one of the last pure sports. I look forward to reading it, promoting it and learning from it. However, there are a few that have created mediums that are extremely positive. They have created venues to help promote Marathon Swimming. A place to discuss and learn. Others have created blogs and webpages that teach through positivity. Pretty awesome.... These are the true leaders. Not those that bring individuals and other organization down for how they choose to do things.

I shall continue to do what I do - Adventure Swimming - and that includes doing long WETSUIT ASSISTED swims as well as follow the time tradition ways of Marathon Swimming. I am proud of both. There is a difference, but there is one common thread. We all love swimming. I ask that your respect this. I will continue to go longer and longer for myself and for those that want to follow along on my adventures. I work extremely hard preparing and doing the things I do. These people will never take that away from me. Wetsuit or Not.

Please understand when I accomplish something, wetsuit assisted, and someone does it by Marathon Swimming Standards I will be the first to be there to congratulate them. My greatest thrill is to follow the accomplishments of others.

I have reached out many times to those that continue to attack me with no response. I bet that if we sat down together or went for a swim we would probably be friends.

To those that have attacked me, please accept this as an open invitation to have a beer, go for a swim or come to swim camp. Love is truly what makes things stronger. Long Live Marathon Swimming!!! And Long Live Wetsuit Assisted Swimming!!!! Here is my email jamiep@patrickandco.com

The surprising thing that has come from my swims is that it has created a dialog which I chose to think of as a positive step towards unifying our sport. Part of this unification is teaching the world about Marathon Swimming and part is accepting others. Leaders should be chosen for their ability to bring people together, not their ability to push them apart. Remember - Love who you are and the way you do it. Respect everyone along the way and happiness will be found.

Lets work together to show THE WORLD, not just the Marathon community, the highest level of open water swimming. And along the way respect and support others.

Thank you for reading this.

Hug a swimmer today even if they are in a wetsuit.

Jamie Patrick - ADVENTURE SWIMMER
Questions or comments can be sent to jamiep@patrickandco.com

A Celebration of Open Water Swimming - WOWSA

As I sit down to write this, it is difficult to fully express how I feel. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support that has been shown to me during this year’s WOWSA awards. I thank each and every one of you for this recognition. I am beyond inspired, feel truly blessed and am very proud to be named World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

I would first like to congratulate all the nominees in each of the WOWSA categories, as well as the hundreds of others that were equally deserving of nominations. I am proud to be in the company of so many people who embody the true spirit and diversity of open water swimming. I would also like to thank the World Open Water Swimming Association for honoring these amazing people and promoting this great sport.

I do not believe there are winners or losers when it comes to awards like these. I see these awards as a Celebration of Open Water Swimming. This is a time to honor the achievements and the many directions in the open water swimming world, a world that is increasing in popularity and diversity. I am proud to be a small part of this incredible community.

When I was notified in November of my nomination, I felt tremendously honored. To be included with a group of people that I consider true visionaries, superior athletes, and leaders in the sport was surprising and exciting. To be named with individuals such as Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria), who is considered to be one of the greatest professional open water swimmers in my lifetime and who has dominated the open water swimming world for close to a decade, to Doug Woodring (USA, currently living in Hong Kong), founder of Ocean Recovery Alliance which focuses on bringing innovative remedies, technologies and policies to improve the health of our oceans, and all those included in this celebration of open water swimming has been a privilege in itself. The accomplishments of all the swimmers in each category are incredible - from Forrest Nelson (Performance) to Penny Palfrey (Woman) who each completed two of the most amazing swims in 2011. We are not just talking about swimmers - these people are heroes, heroines and role models who I have cheered for and followed along with in their own pursuits. I hope that you too see the greatness in all of the nominees, and that you congratulate each of them as you have congratulated me. These awards embrace the diversity and passion of open water swimming. It’s not about being the fastest or the first. It’s not about records set. It is about the love and respect we all have for open water swimming.

There is one thing that I can and will compare myself to in these truly remarkable people: my passion for what I do. I thank you all for seeing that, since I do things a little differently than most. I am an Adventure Swimmer. I choose to test myself mentally, physically, and spiritually by swimming extreme distances. I create, design, plan and execute swims based on how I want to accomplish them.

Many of my extreme swims are done wearing a wetsuit. My latest 111 mile swim down the Sacramento River was my greatest adventure yet. This 31 hour non-stop journey pushed me beyond what I had done before and has inspired me to go to the next level. To quote Dane Rauschenberg (ultrarunner) ”I know what I can do – I do not know yet what I cannot do.” I will continue to push myself to find this place, and once I find it, I will work to get past it. I do not hold any records except for those on a personal level. I will continue to test myself and live life as much as I can at water level. I strive to go beyond what I have done before and enjoy every aspect of it. I swim for the pure adventure of it. I thank you all for realizing and supporting me on this quest. I thank you for following me. It is a huge part of what gives me my inspiration.

I must also say thank you again to my crew who guides me through these adventures. Our motto is to Have Fun, Be Safe, and Live the Adventure. I love each and every one of you. There is no way I could do these things without you. I thank you for believing in what we do and for sharing these life changing experiences with me. You mean the world to me. I also want to thank two other people, without whom I would not be doing these crazy things. My beautiful wife, Terry, who still after 11 years is trying to figure out why I am drawn in some of the directions I am, but has never left my side. She is with me every stroke I take. I love her and cherish her willingness to embrace my passion. And to my six year old daughter, Hadley, who I hope one day will see that her dad does these things to become a better father. Seeing her at the finish of all my swims is what helps me push on. I am truly blessed. I am also very fortunate to be associated with some amazing companies, whose support I also could not do without. Finis - the greatest swimwear and equipment company on the planet. Endless Pools – a product every open water swimmer should have. Fox Sports/Yardbarker - your unwavering support and friendship is beyond imaginable. Sailfish - a wetsuit like no other. E21, Yurbuds, Patrick & Co., Metabender, Brian Hayes Photography, Kinesys, The Secret Drink Mix, Cornish & Carey, Colton Commercial and Homerun. I thank all of you for understanding what I do and supporting me in my swimming endeavors.

I thank everyone who voted in this year’s WOWSA awards, even if it was not for me. It’s truly wonderful to see so many people interested in open water swimming. I hope most of all that this inspires you to do something great for yourself in 2012. I would love for it to be something in the water, but whatever it is - Do Something Beyond What You Thought Possible. Create your own adventure. Plan it, dream about it, prepare for it and then live it. I will continue to do things that seem out of reach and live my adventures. I will push myself, have fun, and embrace others on their quest, however they choose to pursue it. Along the way I will protect, promote and cherish our oceans, lakes and rivers.

I will continue with the Adventure Swim Contest to help those live their swim dreams. As a dear friend says “Dream it....Swim it” – K.R. With help from others, we will strive to grow this contest to aid people in their quests in the water. It shall support marathon swimmers, adventure swimmers, triathletes, first time open water swimmers, and all those who want to live their adventure in the oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Through this journey, you have all made me a better person. I have shed more than one tear in thankfulness for your support. I am honored beyond words. I hope that you continue to follow my adventures, create some of your own and support others as they dream big. As the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Peace is always found in the Water!!!

Jamie Patrick

Adventure Swimmer

My Next Adventure www.thetahoe360.com

Here is a short video of a short swim I did under the Golden Gate Bridge.  See video below for my adventure to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge

Here is a short video of a tour I was lucky enough to go on. We took an elevator to the top of the North Tower and spend a good hour taking in the sights.  

I have created The Adventure Swim contest to help someone with their dream swim. There is no catch, just money.  You do not have to be an expert swimmer, just the desire and passion to live an adventure in the water.  Please click the link below for more information.  Winner will be announced on the daily news of open water swimming November 14th, 2011.

Entry Form - Click Here

Life's an Adventure - Swim it!!!!

News Clips From Swimming California

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6164977

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6169318

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6169292

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6172559

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6172622

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6188981

http://www.news10.net/video/1116581046001/0/Competitive-swimmer-tackless-111-miles-of-Sacramento-River

http://tv.swimmingworldmagazine.com/shows/the-morning-swim-show/morning-swim-show-episodes/11981

Follow Jamie LIVE at www.jamiepatrick.com

Peace Will Be Found On This River

111 miles. That’s the distance from London to Nottingham. The in-air distance between the airports in LA and San Diego. And, as the river flows, the distance from Princeton, California, to the capital city of Sacramento.

Jamie Patrick is going to swim those 111 miles, beginning on Friday August 19 at 12 noon. His journey down the Sacramento River will last somewhere around 32 hours, and will take him past bucolic farmlands, wasteful power plants, and plenty of unknown territory. His 11-man crew will be following him along the riverbanks in an RV, and will help to guide him, nourish him, and encourage him in their kayaks and by swimming alongside him.

Jamie is not driven by fame or fortune or one-upsmanship. He is merely an adventurer, who wants to know just how far we can go. And he revels in the unique togetherness that arises from tackling epic distances. In the summer of 2010, he swam across Lake Tahoe, twice. 44 miles of swimming, in around 25 hours. Very few people have ever swam 25 hours consecutively. With this newest adventure, Jamie is going to do it again.

Adventures of this proportion bring people together with a sense of awe, pride, and disbelief. The crew and spectators will wince through the difficult moments, and cheer during the moments of celebration. Best of all, the crew will be live-broadcasting Jamie’s swim so that you too can feel connected to this incredible feat.

As Jamie said to his team, “peace will be found on this river.” We hope you join us for the adventure.

www.jamiepatrick.com - Follow Live

-Mark Lukach

Thank you to all those who have been a part of this journey leading up to my Sacramento Swim..