Seasoned swimmers cover 35 perimeter miles around the island

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 25, 2021

On Saturday, Aug. 21, Vashon Open Water Swimmers hosted a perimeter round-the-island swim for its local group and a handful of Seattle-area swimmers.

Twenty total swimmers and their 14 kayak volunteers took to the island waters in small groups of four or less, covering one-mile to nine-mile segments, excluding Quartermaster Harbor. Swims started as early as 6 a.m. and the last swim segment wrapped up after 3 p.m. The group estimated it covered 35 perimeter miles around the island. Swimmers, kayakers and volunteers reconvened later in the day for a celebratory potluck at the Gold Beach Community Clubhouse.

This informal event served as a pilot among swim buddies to test the logistics and feasibility of launching a bigger fundraising event with swim participants from around Puget Sound in future years.

Vashon is home to a vibrant open-water swimming community. Its seasoned swimmers take water safety seriously and strive to buddy up in Puget Sound’s tidal, chilly waters through the meetup.com app under the group “Vashon Open Water Swimmers.”

— Heidi Witherspoon Skrzypek