On Sunday, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue hosted its annual Swim and SUP the Sound fundraising event in Virgin Gorda’s North Sound.
All told, the event raised about $11,000, which is used to offset VISAR’s annual operating budget of about $200,000. The money is used for training, medical supplies, equipment and maintaining the rescue boats Spirit and Gorda Peak.
On average, VISAR receives about 200 calls a year. Of those calls, the agency responds to about 100 incidents by boat.
The swimmers had two courses to choose from: two and three miles. The SUP competitors did a three-mile course.
In the women’s three-mile race, Natasha Ruscheinski took first place.
“It felt tougher this year with all the waves and currents,” she said.
During the race, a group of five to six competitors swam together for almost the entire event. Among those swimmers was Ms. Ruscheinski, who for the first two miles stayed with the lead swimmers, but then eased up for the last mile.
“It was nice to be in a big group for the first two miles,” she said.
She added that the group of swimmers pushed her to go faster, but it also aided her swim.
“It is generally easier when you are on someone’s feet,” she said. “It actually pulls you along.”
Swimming is one of Ms. Ruscheinski’s stronger sports and she competes in several events each year. Recently, she took part in the St. John Beach-to-Beach Swim and she organises the Summer Splash at Smugglers Cove. Her next event is in July, which will feature a swim from Jost Van Dyke to Sandy Spit.
“It is a short, but nice swim season here,” Ms. Ruscheinski said.
In the men’s three-mile race, Virgin Islands resident Martin Trott took second place. It was his second time competing in the event. He said his time was “a lot slower” than the previous year.
“It really depends on the conditions,” Mr. Trott said.
Another factor was the five to six swimmers in the front, which included him. He said having more competitors, means more pressure.
“Mentally, it is harder because you are racing against each other so you use up more energy,” Mr. Trott said. “However, it is much more fun to be swimming along side someone.”
Mr. Trott used to be a competitive pool swimmer in the 400, 800 and 1,500 metre freestyle events. But since the sport is pretty much non-existent in the territory he has taken up open-water swims.
“Obviously, the water is beautiful, so it is great,” Mr. Trott said.
He enjoys competing in Swim the Sound because of well organised it is and it is for a good cause.
“As a volunteer organisation, VISAR does a fantastic job,” Mr. Trott said.
Once all the competitors reached Leverick Bay Resort and Marina, they were treated to a barbecue buffet and games on the beach.
Linda Giersing, a 10-year VISAR member, competed in the Swim the Sound for the first time. She was a little intimidated at the start of the two-mile race, but it didn’t take long and she found her groove and enjoyed the challenge.
“I have been doing a little bit of swimming and thought why not,” Ms. Giersing said. “I thought it would have been scary out there, but it was nice to see all the kayakers around. …Once you get going it doesn’t matter so much what is beneath. I wasn’t the first one in and I wasn’t the last, but I did it. …I think I might do it again next year.”
The course is lined with large buoys and volunteer kayakers follow the swimmers as a safety measure.
Ms. Giersing said the fundraiser is a perfect fit for VISAR.
“I think it is a good way of raising money,” Ms. Giersing said. “It is also a good way of making people aware of the water and safety.”
RESULTS
SUP
Male
1. Brian Duff, 33:59”
2. Rodrigo Dos Santos, 34:23”
3. Andrew Thompson, 36:34”
4. Lee Donovan, 37:16”
5. Roy Keagan, 37:22”
6. Craig Chomiak, 38:12”
7. Ewout Franse, 41:06”
8. Paul D’Aloisiom 42:39”
9. Thibaud Guenegou, 53:24
10. Spence Fogarty, 59:30
11. Nathan Mills, 1:08.53’
Female
1. Kim Takeuchi, 44:01”
2. Fiona d’Ancona, 45:16”
3. Saskie Laing, 46:16”
4. Nicola Iuso, 47:04”
5. Vanessa Jorgensen, 47:55”
6. Christine Joseph, 49:06”
7. Shakti Segura, 50:10”
8. Victoria Mark, 57:46”
9. Lindsey Fogarty, 59:31”
10. Cecilia Denis, 1:08.02’
11. Sarah Trott, 1:13.29’
Youth
1. Rayne Duff, 40:58”
2. Scott Kirk, 52:19”
3. Sophia Jara, 1:03.19’
3-mile Swim
Male
1. Jeff Miller, 1:18.50’
2. Martin Trott, 1:18.51’
3. Jacco Bos, 1:18:58’
4. Shane Donovan, 1:19.08’
5. Mark Doig, 1:37.29’
6. Jeffrey Kirk, 2:09.05’
Female
1. Natasha Ruscheinski, 1:24.33’
2. Jayne Schaeffer, 1:36.57’
3. Jude Woodcock, 1:37.12’
Assisted
1. Kay Reddy, 1:31.20’
2-Mile Swim
Male
1. Clinton Hempel, 55:47”
2. Elliot Steer, 59:37”
3. Vincent Fournier, 1:06:30’
4. Aaron Seddon, 1:08.18’
5. Doug Clarkson, 1:11’
6. Stuart Cullen, 1:13.10’
7. Neil Carnall, 1:21’
8. Josh Gilmore, 1:27.25’
9. Adrian Dale, 1:30.07’
10. Scott Bryson, 1:44.16’
11. Chris Smith, 1:44.17’
12. Andrew Ball, 1:59’ (Full gear)
Female
1. Cathryn Hempel, 55:46”
2. Emily O’Reilly, 1:05:22’
3. Victoria Bezemer, 1:08.12’
4. Kathleen Brownsdon, 1:08.30’
5. Andrea LeBlanc, 1:22.18’
6. Tiffany Houston, 1:22.35’
7. Kate Henderson, 1:27.36’
8. Kim Berardine, 1:34.30’
9. Linda Giersing, 1:36.48’
10. Karen McArthur, 1:46.39’
Assisted Male
1. Brendan O’Reilly, 1:12.29’
2. Sir Richard Branson, 1:19.47’
3. Stephen Davis, 1:31.10’
Assisted Female
1. Holly Ullah, 1:06.56’
2. Anouk Sylvestre, 1:12.51’
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