W2GSB
www.gsbarc.org
Alt. Site:
www.qsl.net/gsbarc

Great South Bay 
Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704 

"....serving the Community through Public Service."

Great South Bay Swim

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Club Officers ] [ Events ] [ Membership ] [ The COMPASS ] [ Constitution ] [ AR-Cluster ] [ Repeaters ] [ Apparel ] [ Links ] [ TOBARES ]

The Maggie Fischer Memorial "Great South Bay Swim"

The Great South Bay Amateur Radio was asked by the sponsors of the Great South Bay Swim to assist with their event in 2004.  Since the event has been known as the "Great South Bay Swim" it was only natural that the "Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club" lend a hand during this event.

The first year we participated in the event there was only about 50 participants.  Today there is about 100 swimmers that traverse the waters from the Fire Island pier by the lighthouse to the shoreline at Gilbert Park in Brightwaters, which is at the end of the Concourse East just south of E. Shore Road.

We position radio operators onboard the boats that are being used as mile markers to collect the information of the swimmers as they pass the boats.  We then relay the information of the swimmers back to the finish line so everyone can be kept track of during the event. 

It is basically the same any any 5 mile running event with the exception that it is not on land and is in the water.  One other change is the fact that each swimmer must also have a safety person with in a kayak.  That is the element also adds a unique twist to the event for the fact that most of the swimmers are experienced swimmers but not so for all of the kayakers.

The Towns of Islip and Babylon ARES and RACES personnel assist with this event.  Since this event is usually on week day we always can use a few people for the event.  There are 5 positions aboard boats in the bay and other land based stations at the start and finish.

From Robert Fischer of the Chamber of Commerce for Brightwaters, NY "Many thanks to the Amateur Radio Operators of the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club and those that assist them and annually assist with the Great South Bay Swim.  Without their dedication and professionalism we would not be able to make sure of the safety of those that participate in the event to the extent that we do.  It is real pleasure have them as part of the operations that make our event such a success each year!"

This page was last Updated on 07/17/08

Webmaster: Walter Wenzel, KA2RGI

Copyright © 2004 & Beyond
All Rights Reserved