It was a bluebird day
Last weekend I had the chance to swim a dream. To swim with friends with the downriver current in the Columbia River between Mosier and Hood River, a 5 mile swim. It’s an annual ritual for some Hood River swimmers I know, and the invitation had been extended a few times. But every time, the day slipped away from me for one reason or another, I couldn’t make it work. Finally, the pieces came together on a bluebird Sunday morning.
It was a perfect day. No wind, a beautiful sunrise, a steady current and calm clear waters. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect Fall day. Thirteen swimmers and 3 support paddlers from Portland met at the Best Western parking lot at 7:30a, donned wetsuits and swim buoys, carpooled out to Mosier, and there unloaded three kayaks into the water. It was a new-ish group of swimmers, mostly friends from the Willamette Riverhuggers group who hadn’t swum the Columbia much. A short safety talk, a quick buddy-up, and the group was off. About 30 minutes downriver, we climbed onto Chicken Rock island, rested a bit and jumped off back into the river. A lumber mill barge passed us from upriver, sliding over to the Washington side and then back over to the Oregon side after clearing us. At about 90 minutes we climbed onto Channel Buoy #39, posed for a photo, and jumped off back into the river. A couple of fishing charters zoomed up from downriver, curious fishers checking in, “are you ok?”. Thumbs up all around. At about 150 minutes, the fastest 3 swimmers circled back to meet the slowest 2 swimmers from the back. Finally all 13 swimmers and 3 kayakers stretched out in the sun on the grass at the Best Western, elated and glowing, and a little tired.
It was a perfect day. We were truly blessed to have bluebird conditions, strong bodies and gracious water users on the river that day. By all counts it was an epic swim for this group. David, Arie, Matthew, Matt, Eivind, Naomi, Karen, Nanci, Simeon, Yed, Jennifer, Ben, Justine, Karly, Susan, me.
I might be the only one still thinking about it while the glow of Sunday’s epic swim still lingers. I feel I need to share a full picture of my experience and my safety concerns because I care for my swim companions, I feel responsible for their safety when we are together, and I cherish life and water.
Since the COVID pandemic, open water swimming has exploded. Hundreds of pool swimmers in the Portland area took to the open waters in the rivers and lakes that bound Portland and further, to adventure beyond our city limits. Soon our confidence in the open water paralleled our confidence in the pool for time, distance, and speed. True! Having so much fun in the water, it’s easy to forget the open water is a different animal than the pool. It’s alive and energetic, fickle and surprising, monitored and regulated, shared and policed.
Anchor 1: Be able to take care of myself and others
I consider myself a pretty strong swimmer, moderately paced and steady. I’ve been a medal triathlete, worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard and I’m certified in open water rescue and wilderness first response. I know that if I get cold, disoriented, or catch a cramp in the open water I will need to save myself. If I don’t, I leave behind my whole world - my family, our home, my business, my dog. The further away from shore I am and the less familiar I am with the swim route and surrounding area (communities, emergency services, etc), the less able I am to help myself or to get help for anyone else. My ability to help myself or anyone else is directly related to my proximity to shore, familiarity with the route and conditions, and connection to the place and community where I’m swimming.
When the swim group size morphed from 4 to 16 practically overnight, I got nervous. Our paces are all different, how will we stick together over a 5-mile swim? Do the swimmers know the route? How will we look out for each other? Do we have support, communications, a swim plan and a response plan? How will I be able to help someone who needs help if the need arises?
When it became clear that 2 of the 13 swimmers knew the route, the plan was to swim mid-channel with two stops along the way, and I had one swim buddy, I knew I would be responsible for just myself and my swim buddy. But spread out from the others in the mid-channel, I also knew there would be nothing I could do to get us to safety or to help anyone else in an emergency. The reality of the riskiness of my own situation – and for every other person in the group – scared me. I had to be in Forest Grove in 5 hours to lead an EcoSwim event. I had to be home in 12 hours to welcome my daughter after a week with her dad. I have a mortgage to pay and a kid in college. I had zero time to drown and no bandwidth to help anyone else. Multiply this by 16. All I had was the confidence that my body would perform. I could swim long and steady. Feeling disempowered except for the strength in my own body, I grew scared and angry for myself and for every person in the group. I felt I had lost Anchor #1.
Anchor 2: Respect other users
As a lawyer by training, I am not necessarily risk-averse but measured and naturally curious. I do my best to treat people the way I want to be treated, and I won’t start a fight but you can count on me to stick up for myself and my people. I believe other water users are like this too. By other users, I mean fishers, canoeists and kayakers, sailors, barge operators and tugboats, cruisliners, water skiers, kiteboarders and there are so many others. As swimmers, we are not just responsible for our individual selves but we also have the obligation to avoid putting other people in unsafe situations. If we truly wish to be respected in the water, we must demonstrate respect for others by not intentionally creating unnecessary risks. (Like the motorcyclist with a deathwish who barrels down the highway on the center line zigzagging through traffic. I don’t want to be that guy.) When our group took a mid-channel line down the river, we caused a grain barge and a few charter fishing boats to veer off course. Hollering out to each other across the water, it was all thumbs up and “sure you’re ok!?” but the surprise relief in all our voices was undeniable. Why create a hazard in mid-channel far from safety when we could swim closer to shore in the same cool water, and arrive home alive? The current is a little slower, yes, but I would rather take a little longer and demonstrate respect for other users, than create an unnecessary risk that reflects poorly on our swimming community. I felt I had lost Anchor #2.
Anchor 3: Know some history
Credit here goes to Microsoft Pilot. Swimming in the Columbia River near Hood River and Mosier has seen a few notable accidents over the past three years. Here are some key incidents and general safety concerns:
Drowning Incidents: There have been several tragic drowning incidents in the Columbia River. These often occur due to strong currents, cold water temperatures, and sudden drop-offs. For example, in 2022, a swimmer near Hood River was reported missing and later found drowned.
Boating and Swimming Collisions: The river is a popular spot for both recreational boating and swimming, which can sometimes lead to accidents. In 2021, there was a reported collision between a swimmer and a boat near Mosier, resulting in serious injuries. (Microsoft Pilot references The Columbian newspaper and local community coverage)
Environmental Hazards: The river’s conditions can change rapidly, with strong currents and debris posing risks to swimmers. In 2023, a swimmer was caught in a strong current and had to be rescued by local authorities.
The 2021 incident where a swimmer and a boat collided near Mosier on the Columbia River was a tragic event that garnered significant attention. Here are some key points from the news coverage and community discussions:
Incident Details: The collision occurred in the summer of 2021 when a swimmer was struck by a recreational boat near Mosier. The swimmer sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Community Response: The local community expressed deep concern over the safety of swimmers in the Columbia River, especially in areas with heavy boat traffic. Many community members called for increased safety measures and better awareness among both swimmers and boaters.
Safety Measures: Following the incident, there were discussions about implementing stricter regulations and enhancing safety protocols to prevent such accidents in the future. Suggestions included designated swimming areas, better signage, and increased patrolling by local authorities.
Media Coverage: Local news outlets covered the incident extensively, highlighting the dangers of swimming in areas frequented by boats. The coverage also included interviews with local officials and safety experts who emphasized the importance of following safety guidelines.
Community Forums: Online community forums and social media platforms saw active discussions about the incident. Residents shared their concerns and experiences, and there were calls for community meetings to address water safety issues.
Apart from the one reported incident of 2021, it’s heartening to know history doesn’t support my fears on that day.
Anchor 4: Know the rules
When driving on the road, everyone knows the basic rules: drive on the right side of the road, wear a seatbelt, stop at red lights. I don’t know all the rules of the wet road and it’s possible they’re not yet “codified”. So maybe this can be a growth area for all of us.
For the water, it’s not always so clear. The Oregon Marine Safety Board provides some key regulations and guidelines. Here are a few that apply to swimming: Unsafe Operation. According to Oregon law, operating a boat in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property is considered unsafe operation. This includes swimming in areas with heavy boat traffic, such as shipping channels. Reckless Operation: It is illegal to operate a boat carelessly or in willful disregard for others. Swimming in shipping channels can be seen as reckless due to the high risk of collision with boats. Waterway Access Permits: For non-motorized boats and certain other watercraft, a waterway access permit is required. While this doesn’t directly apply to swimming, it highlights the importance of regulated use of waterways.
And oh wow that was indeed a great swim. I am wholeheartedly grateful for the invitation and the wonderful support of a great group of swimmers to share it with that day.
In conclusion, I am sharing these comments because I want to keep swimming long beautiful swims with the group from this weekend, and many more. And when we do, I would invite us all to be kind and responsible with each other, safe and informed.
For my next swims, I’ll bring to the table these rules for the wet road:
Be smart and thoughtful about the swim.
Swim in pods of evenly paced swimmers and use a buddy system (3-5 swimmers ideal)
Designate a safety paddler with each pod, take turns paddling for your friends
Avoid hazards and unnecessary risks; leave shipping channels to the big boats
Swim a line that’s within an easy swim to safety
Know the route, your skills, your surroundings, and the skills of your swimmer buddies
Wear a swim buoy and label it with your name and emergency contact info
Warming up as the waters cool down,
Dena
