Spencer wins Marathon Despite Rough Water

This is the final news article for this series of Great Salt Lake Marathon swims from the early days.  The exciting thing is that the trophy you see in this picture, will be displayed in person by Orson's son, Steve, next Saturday at the GSLOW event!  Here's the article from August 4th 1941, from the Salt Lake Tribune:

Spencer, second from left, receives trophy for winning Antelope island -
Black Rock beach swim.  Dr Munn Q. Cannon, of the A.A.U. swimming committee,
is on the left; James Latses, who presented the trophy is on Spencer's right...

Spencer Wins Marathon Despite Rough Water

Orson Spencer Monday had once again proven his right to claim the title of Utah's outstanding swimmer after conquering a grueling five-hour battle with mountainous waves to win the annual Antelope island-Black Rock beach swim.

Spencer, who was the only entrant to complete the grind, clambered ashore at the end of 5 hours 7 minutes and 22 seconds, one of the slowest times ever recorded in the swim.

Six swimmers started the race, but after the first hour the wind started kicking up huge whitecaps and it became only a question of finishing the race regardless of time.

 Ned Winder dropped out first and then Ed Watson, former champion, became sick and had to be taken from the water.  Ken Lyman pushed behind Spencer for most of the distance, but tired [of] the waves mounted and decided against continuing.

Perry Leavitt was taken from the water next and then big Wayne Christensen of Ogden got a mouthful of brine and was forced out.

Official[s] suggested that Spencer drop out, but he insisted on continuing on in and received the plaudits of some 500 fans who watched the finish.

Spencer received a trophy from James Latses of Black Rock beach for his victory.

Officials of the match were Dr. Munn Q. Cannon, chairman of the A.A.U. swimming committee; Denny Aushermann, Don Reddish, Rex Sutherland, John Neff, Ward Armstrong and Dr. Ralph Cornwall.

---

From the Press Box... by Jimmy Hodgson

Orson Spencer's victory in the grueling Great Salt lake swim Sunday was not only the hardest victory Orson has scored in his long and colorful paddling career, but one that brought him the most satisfaction.

The 30-year-old paddler was the victim of an automobile accident last year and spent some time in the hospital with a badly broken arm.  As a result of the mishap many critics were prone to count Spencer out of the Utah swimming picture.  But he proved them all wrong Sunday.  He's still king of the Utah paddlers and no question about it.

Spencer has been training for this swim for more than three months.  Ever since the first of May he has made it a point to swim at least one mile a day in fresh water.  There are few days that he hasn't covered the long grind.  His demanding conditioning drill put him in good shape Sunday.  No man could have covered that hazardous and storm-tossed course without having a world of stamina.  Orson well deserved the triumph.

Won at Pineview 

The only event that Spencer has taken part in since his accident was the Pineview dam swim at Ogden two weeks back--which he won.

The Pineview dam swim is a two-mile event, compared to 8.2 miles for the Great Salt lake event.  The salt marathon is apparently just a little bit too long and too hazardous, particularly in rough weather, to prove attractive to swimmers.  The race would be much more appealing and draw bigger fields over a shorter route.  Only the brave will enter the event now, and some of the paddlers who performed Sunday announced after the meet they would never compete again.  A shorter course would take nothing away from the event and it would add much to it by assuring more interesting fields.

---

Ward Armstrong of Ogden, who helps promote the Pineview race, figures that the Junction City race will soon be the No. 1 marathon swim feature in the state.  "Spectators can see the entire course from start to finish.  It's a natural spot for a race.  The event gets better every year." he commented on Sunday.

English Channel Qualifier - Black Rock to White Rock 21.7 Mile Swim in 10:59

I have been training for this moment for months!  I have had a little countdown timer on my home page that I saw everyday.  It did a countdown back when it was like 180 days left.  It kept it constantly on my mind everyday as a goal that I needed to continue to train and work towards.  It was exciting seeing it get down to a handful of days left.

Watching the weather over the weekend I was frustrated as I saw that there was a forecasted storm on Monday, so I opted for Tuesday.  However it also accompanied strong winds from the south.  So my plan to swim from White Rock to Black Rock changed the other way and we started at Black Rock and swam north to take advantage of the forecasted wind. I also wanted to do this swim hoping that it would set a standard as a serious marathon swim in the GSL with channel like difficulty.  I challenge anyone to do this swim.

Little did I know, the wind played a very minor role in the swim.   The waves going north were only noticeable for about one mile of the swim.

Cathi applying tons of Channel Grease to my trouble spots
(50% vaseline/50% Lanolin)

Anyhow I arrived at Black Rock with Jacob, Austin, Cathi, Sam and Oliver.  We got the boat in the water, applied sunscreen, channel grease, and Josh and Sabrina arrived to wish us well.  What nice friends!

When I got in it felt cool, but not unbearable.  I was guessing it was about 60°.  After I waded out about 150-200 yards or so I was up to my waist and asked Jacob to take a temp reading with the digital thermometer.  It read 58.4°F  I was surprised.  From here I stopped wading and began the swim.

Here are the complete stats and info, mile by mile, which I had Jacob keep track of at every feeding (which was mileage based and not time based):

Log Entries
Actual Start Time: 8:11am 5/31/11
	Time	Time last Mile	Water Temp	Feeding	Comments
Mile 1	8:36	25 Min	58° F	Gatorade	Feeling Good
Mile 2	9:05	29 Min	56° F	Hot Chocolate	Starting to feel cold
Mile 3	9:43	28 Min	51° F	Hot Chocolate, Swiss Roll	Water below "Brine Shrimp Poo" is freezing! The surface area captures all the heat from the sun and leaves the water below with no source of heat!
Mile 4	10:19	36 Min	58° F	Hot Chocolate	Slowing down, but temp feels a little better now.
Mile 5	10:57	38 Min	58° F	Hot Chocolate and Banana	Lips are swelling. Can feel that I'm swimming into the current from Antelope.
Mile 6	11:39	42 Min	59° F	Swiss Roll and Gatorade	Warmer. Still current though
Mile 7	12:23	44 Min	58° F	Cereal Bar and Gatorade	When is this current going to end!
Mile 8	13:04	41 Min	59° F	2 Swiss Rolls and Propel. 800 Mg Ibuprofen	Still pretty slow. Projected finish is in jeopardy
Mile 9	13:38	32 Min	59° F	Cereal Bar and and Propel	Current appears to be gone, now in neutral water, with slight breeze from southeast.
Mile 10	14:04	26 Min	59° F	Swiss Roll and Gatorade	Feeling comfortable now with the temp. Not shivering and handling it better.
Mile 11	14:33	29 Min	60° F	Cereal Bar and Gatorade	Warmed up a little. Left shoulder feeling achy.
Mile 12	15:04	31 Min	60° F	Swiss Roll and Propel	Shoulder starting to hurt.
Mile 13	15:30	26 Min	60° F	Orange Juice	No more OJ! Too acidic. Shoulder really hurts now.
Mile 14	15:55	25 Min	59° F	Propel	Feeling cold again. Shoulder still hurts
Mile 15	16:30	35 Min	61° F	Swiss Roll and Propel, 800 Mg Ibuprofen	Jacob handed me a "yellow" propel with a big smirk on his face! Played along. Dumped it out next to me and pretended to find relief in the warmth.
Mile 16	16:52	22 Min	60° F	2 Swiss Rolls and Propel	Finally! The forecasted wind has arrived and some 2 foot swells pushing me north. Love it!
Mile 17	17:20	26 Min	61° F	2 Swiss Rolls and Propel	Wind has died down, but can feel current pulling me northward. Right on!
Mile 18 and 19 - no stats recorded. Jacob is getting trunky at the finish
Mile 20	18:20	No data	64° F	Hostess Lemon Pie	Feeling extremely ravenous! Swimming along shore now. Water is at waist level now. Water is warmer.
Mile 21 - no data. Jacob and Austin are way ahead hoping to see Cathi, whom they are talking to on the radio. So much for feedings and staying close to me!
Mile 21.7 (Finish)	19:10	No data	No data	Pizza! Thanks Cathi!	Long walk from knee level water to dry ground. About a 1/2 mile walk.
Average		30:22	58.7° F
Actual Finish Time: 19:10 (7:10pm) Elapsed Time: 10:59 Distance swam: 21.7 miles Point to Point Distance: 20.5 miles

Swimming through Brine Shrimp Eggs.
Warm on top, freezing underneath.

In several areas on the lake are these rivers of  Brine Shrimp Eggs (which I've lovingly called in the past "Brine Shrimp Poo")  It's not the funnest stuff to swim in.  They are anywhere from 1-6 inches in deep right on the surface.  When I swim through those I can feel that it absorbs alot of heat from the sun as the water temp right at the surface is warm.  But below that it is much colder!  Colder than if it wasn't there.  It's like it absorbs the heat from the sun and doesn't allow ANY heat below it.

Pickled Tongue after the finish.  Picture taken
by Josh posted on utahopenwater.com

Around Mile 7 my lips and tongue were pretty swollen and I kept thinking "So if I end up swimming 3 times further than this, is my tongue going to be 3 times as swollen?"  If that were the case my tongue would be as big as a hot water bottle, and my lips would be massive and I'd entertain everyone saying "Bubba Gump Shrimp".  Fortunately, they didn't get worse than they did at Mile 7.

Also, right at noon when the sun was highest in the sky, at that time the water was clear and I really loved looking down in the clear water and seeing the sun's rays delve way down into the depths of the lake.  It was so beautiful!  I really should have taken a picture.

Once I got to Mile 10 I realized I only had a few minutes before hitting the six hour standard for  qualifying for the English Channel.  The rules for qualifying are simple:  Swim for at least 6 hours or longer in 61°F Water (or colder).  Secondary Objective Complete!  Now to finish the main objective!  Swim the full 20+ mile route.

I could really feel the water pulling me at mile  16-17.  Like I was swimming downstream.  It was great!  When I got to mile 19 I saw what I thought was White Rock.  It wasn't  It was the corner before that.  I was a little bummed knowing that I had another couple miles to go.  It was tough at the end.  I just wanted to be done.  But I kept going!    Jacob and Austin were on the radio with Cathi chatting it up and laughing.  They were going way up ahead and then I'd yell at them and they'd wait for me to catch up.

Austin and Jacob - my support crew

About half the time Austin was asleep or chillin' in the back of the boat.  During the time when the wind and waves were helping me out, I noticed while I was breathing, that Austin woke up from a long nap.  He lifted up the hat that covered his face, and turned around to dig through the bag.  He put on a sweatshirt cause he was a little cold, and then put a towel over his legs and went back to sleep.  That had me laughing underwater.  Here I am in sub 60 degree water for hours, and a little wind blowing in 70° air temp is giving the poor boy goose bumps!

High clouds in the afternoon, robbing me of sunshine
that would help me during the cold swim.

The hardest parts of the swim was the cold, and the shoulder strain the last half of the swim.  I prayed before, and several times during the swim, as well as afterwards.  I believe I was blessed with the strength and determination to finish, despite the long exposure to the sub 60 degree temp.  I definitely haven't been very consistent on cold water acclimation, and that was my biggest worry.  I often envisioned a trio of legends swimming next to me in the lake:  Ed Watson, Ken Lyman and Orson Spencer.

As far as strength and endurance, I never hit a "wall" where I didn't have any energy.  The only two problems were the cold and the shoulder which I didn't let stop me.

Cheering party at the White Rock Beach finish.

At the White Rock beach, Cathi and all the kids were there.  Josh and Sabrina were there too with their kids.  I was 59 minutes beyond my projected finish.  Not too bad though.  Carting the boat and all our gear to the car was a pain!  It was heavy, and the axle that I built last year just doesn't work well on wet sand.  So we had to carry all our stuff probably 3/4 mile or so to the car.  Josh was a stud helping me get that carried there.  What a true friend!







As of this moment my shoulders are stiff.  I think I'll take a few days off and let them heal.  Here's video and pics:

Here's all the pictures and raw video:

It is also my hope that by swimming this distance in the Great Salt Lake will prove to the world, that the Great Salt Lake is just as wonderful to swim in as other lakes.  Sure it's salty, and has huge rivers of brown brine shrimp eggs, but those two characteristics shouldn't prevent swimmers from enjoying the many other beautiful characteristics of the lake.  

Also something of note.  This nearly doubles my longest OW swim.  Sweet!  How's that for breaking a PR?

Spencer Captures Swim - 4 Aug 1941

Salt Lake Tribune - August 4, 1941


Spencer Captures Swim


Victor Only Man to Finish Race - Waves, Wind Cut Down Starting Field by Jimmy Hodgson


Orson Spencer once more proved his right to the title of "Utah's foremost swimmer" Sunday when he conquered the treacherous waves of Great Salt lake to win the unique salt water marathon paddle for the sixth year.

It took Spencer five hours, seven minutes and 22 seconds to cover the 8.2 miles from Antelope island to Black Rock beach, one of the slowest times ever recorded in the swim, but that's what made the performance so brilliant.

"Boy, that feels good"...That's what Orson Spencer
had to say as he washed away the salt gathered on
his long trek through Great Salt Lake.  Spencer was
the only finisher.

Except for the first hour of the swim, during which time the weather was perfect, the paddlers were battling not only the briny and bitter water, but also a powerful wind which whipped up mountainous waves that covered the swimmers time after time and added to their peril.

Against such conditions records and times were out of the question, the problem was whether the swimmers could even stay in the water.

Six paddlers started the race, but the waves took a heavy toll and the mechanical-stroking Spenver was the only one who finished the long course.

Young Ned Winder dropped out first and then big Ed Watson became sick and had to be taken out.  Ken Lyman, last year's winner, was pushing Spencer for the lead, but when the waves reached their peak proportions he decided it was foolish to continue.

Perry Leavitt was taken from the water next when he became violently sick and then big Wayne Christensen of Ogden was forced out whe he got a mouthful of the strangling brine.  Christensen covered nearly six of the eight plus mile course.

Officials suggested that Spencer give it up with the waves making it extremely difficult to even keep him in check, but the persistent paddler continued to the finish line to receive the acclaim of a crowd of more than 500 fans.

Stops Frequently


During the last two miles, Spencer had to stop frequently to have the salt washed from his face with cool, fresh water, and he set a slow pace, but he reached his goal after the most trying conditions that have ever confronted the paddlers in the long swim.

It was the sixth victory for Spencer in the salt marathon.  He won the race from Antelope island to Saltair in 1930,1931 and 1932, setting a record of two hours and two minutes for the course.

He won the Antelope island to Black Rock swim in 1937 and 1938.  His time of three hours 40 minutes and 52 seconds is still the record for present course.  It was set in 1937.

After completing the grind Sunday, Spencer said that this year's swim was the toughest he had ever experienced.  "But I wanted to finish it for mother -- it's her birthday today and she's my coach and trainer.  I wanted to come in for her."

Justly Proud


Spencer's mother, Mrs. D. G. Spencer, was at the pier to meet her son, and she was justly proud.  It took plenty of stamina, courage and ability to swim eight miles in the boiling salty lake Sunday.

Orson received a beautiful trophy from James Latses of Black Rock beach for his victory, and all the contestants and officials were dined royally after the race as guests of Latses.

George Knepp was in charge of the boats following the swimmers, and the boatmen did a fine job in checking up and keeping in close contact with the struggling paddlers.

Officials were Dr. Munn Q Cannon, chairman of the A.A.U. swimming committee; Denny Ausherman, Don Reddish, Rex Sutherland, John Neff, Ward Armstrong and Dr. Ralph Cornwall.

Ken Lyman Wins National Jr. AAU Distance Swim Title - 22 July 1940

Ken Lyman Wins National Jr. AAU Distance Swim Title - 22 July 1940 - Deseret News


Watson Second 18 Minutes Behind Ex-Granitian - By Mack Corbett

The third time proved the charm for Ken Lyman, 27-year-old former Granite High School freestyle and backstroke ace, yesterday when he won the annual Great Salt Lake swim and the National Junior AAU Long Distance Championship for 1940 all wrapped up in one.

KEN LYMAN, 27 year old Salt Laker, is national junior AAU outdoor long
distance swim champion for 1940 as a result of his victory yesterday in the
annual Great Salt Lake Marathon from Antelope Island to Black Rock beach.
He crawled and backstroked the 8.12 miles stretch of brine in 4 hours,
18 minutes and 19 seconds.  Lyman is pictured above, surrounded by
admiring fans and covered with salt crystals, as he emerged from the water
at Black Rock pier.

The well-proportioned Salt Lake City athlete negotiated the 8.12 miles of heavy salt water between Antelope Island, the starting point, and Black Rock Beach pier in 4 hours 30 minutes and 19 seconds.  The record, set by Orson Spencer in 1937, is 3:58.  [GORDS MAKING CORRECTIVE EDITOR REMARKS HERE.  Wait a minute.  the record set in 1937 was 3:40:52! ]  Incidentally, Spencer, with his arm in a horizontal cast from a recent automobile accident, followed the swimmer in a boat all the way yesterday.

In winning the briny grind, Lyman finished 18 minutes ahead of defending Champion Ed C. Watson, also of Salt Lake City, who required 4 hours 38 minutes.

FOUR DROP OUT


Only two others of a field of eight who started the marathon at 12:10 p.m., were able to complete the course in the face of a choppy head wind that blew up at about [1] o'clock to harass the paddlers considerably.  They were Russell Rigby of Garfield who reached the Black Rock pier at 5:32 for the elapsed time of 5:22 and Wayne Christensen of Ogden who finished 5:52 and a time of 5:42.  Incidentally, Christensen is one of the first long distance swimmers to essay the breast-stroke in the heavy water.  He swam it all the way using the "frog kick."

Keith Fernelius of Ogden, Robert Isakson of Magna, Arthur Johansen and Wes Workman, of Salt Lake CIty, were picked up by the boats when the wind blew too much of the strangling salt water in their faces.   Johansen stayed fairly even with the leaders through six miles.

WATSON TAKES SICK


The race was a duel between Lyman and Watson from the start.  Swimming with his face under water, the way he learned in ocean swimming, Watson went into the lead and stretched it to an advantage of a half mile over Lyman at the half-way mark.   Lyman was almost that far ahead of Rigby who was in third place at this point.  Watson commenced to ship [home] of Great Salt Lake as the wind started to whip up and in the next two miles took violently sick, vomiting at one juncture.  Lyman's steady pace pulled him even, then past the defending champion.  He turned on his back the last mile to avoid the salt spray and came in a decisive winner.  He is Utah's fastest back-stroke exponent as well as fastest freestyler.  Watson showed supreme courage in finishing only 18 minutes behind the winner.

TRAINED SIX WEEKS

All the swimmers were chafed by their close-fitting trunks.  Most wore a thin layer of grease.  Lyman used goggles only a mile or so after the wind came up.  Asked if he would like to go out and do it all over again, Lyman, who showed little fatigue said: "I would tomorrow.  I feel fine.  I was really in condition for this one.  Been training for six weeks, some of 'em six mile jaunts.  I've lost two of these races to Spencer.  With Orson out, I figured this was my chance."

Lyman stands 5 feet 11 and weighs 165.  He was on the coast when last year's race was held.

Gold statuette trophies were presented to the four finishers at a dinner given by Jim Latses, owner of Black Rock Beach, in the evening.  The race was supervised by Charles Welch Sr., and Dr. Munn Q. Cannon.

21 July 1940 - Expert Field Ready in Lake Classic

Not sure if this is from Deseret News, or Salt Lake Tribune, but the date shows 21 July 1940

Expert Field Ready in Lake Classic - Winner in 1939 Favored to Triumph Again

 One of the largest fields in years to enter the annual Antelope island-Black Rock beach swim classic in Great Salt lake, with the national junior A.A.U. championship at stake for the first time, will pluge off the beach at Antelope Island at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday to begin the long chase back to the finish point at Black Rock beach pier.  The distance of the swim is exactly 8.12 miles.

The swim, together with religious services in honor of the pioneers of Utah, to be held in Salt Lake City Sunday evening, form the Covered Wagon days' offering to its visitors Sunday.
Not only is the field one of the largest in recent years, Dr. Munn Q. Cannon, swim chairman of the intermountain A.A.U. declared Saturday, but the list of possible finishers to the long grind is exceptionally large.  Every entrant according to the chairman, is a proven swimmer, and with good weather is almost certain to complete the course.

Spencer Out

The old master of the salt course, Orson Spencer of Ogden, many times winner, was forced to withdraw this year because of injuries received in an automobile accident, and Edward C. Watson of Salt Lake City, winner in 1939 in extremely stormy seas, was installed an early favorite.  The showing of Ken Lyman, former Granite star, in recent weeks has made him the dark horse favorite.  Great things also are expected of Byrne Fernelius of Ogden, third place winner in 1939, and Wesley Workman of the University of Utah, swimming the race for the first time. 

The swimmers, an even dozen, will assemble at Black Rock beach at 9 a.m. for registration and physical examination by Dr. C. Ralph Cornwall of Salt Lake City.  They will be ferried by the big cruisers of Salt Lake county, piloted by Deputy Sheriff George Knepp, the Sea Scouts Stansbury, under the direction of Stanley Evans, and the Spear-Bray cruiser of Magna.  The start will be made from Antelope island to bring the finish close to 3 p.m. at Black Rock.  It will be approximately 11:30 a.m. in case of good weather, and earlier if the lake is stormy.

1940 pre-race article building up Ed Watson as favored winner for the 1940 Antelope Island To Black Rock race

Not sure if this is from Deseret News or Salt Lake Tribune, or even the date, but it is sometime in the early summer of 1940:

Watson Favored in Long Splash - Start Scheduled at Antelope Island By Mack Corbett 

Twelve well-conditioned swimmers from Utah and Wasthington pronounced themselves ready for tomorrow's 8.12 mile marathon which will decide the National Junior AAU Outdoor Long Distance Swimming Championship of 1940.

The event is scheduled to start at 11a.m. from the sandy beach of Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake and finish within two and a half hours of the starting time at Black Rock Beach near Garfield.

Gords interjection:  I don't think Mack really discussed the expected finish time with someone who knew, since the record holder for that distance was Orson Spencer with a 3:40:52 time.   Two and half hours would mean a 18:28 per mile pace which is doable by a really fast miler, but I don't think anyone could swim that fast for 8 miles straight.  Even in the Great Salt Lake.    Sorry.  Just had to point that out.  On with the article....

Final pronouncement on the physical condition of the field will be made tomorrow at 9 a.m. by Dr. C. Ralph Cornwall, examining physician. 

Watson Leads Field

The contestants are Ed C. Watson, of Salt Lake City, defending champion; Wesley Workman of the University of Utah, Arthur Johansen of Pyallup, Wash., R.C. Isakson of Magna, Russell L. Rigby of Garfield, Wayne Christensen, Byrne Fernelius and A.C. Cook of Ogden, and four other Salt Lakers - Ken Lyman, Don Thoresen, Glen Smith and John Carmen of the Deseret Gymnasium.

A keen race is in prospect what with fair weather the forecast in contrast to last year's storm-tossed competition.  Watson will step into the brine as the odds-on favorite, but Thoresen and Lyman are both capable of sensational time.  Carmen is an accomplished back-stroker and can change off without diminishing speed.  Rigby is a veteran of previous swims and this may be his year.  Fernelius placed third last year and is a member of Bert Jensen's ski instruction staff. The same is true of the other entrants, so a dark horse could easily walk off with the honors.

Boatmen Will Aid

T. C. Adams, commodore of the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club, has issued a call to all sailboat owners to be ready to meet the swimmers at Antelope Island and escort them on the swim; Frnak A. Hulbert will be in charge of the speedboat flotilla which will also assist George A. Knepp, sheriff's deputy will be in charge of the Sheriff's launch and auxiliary speed boat. 

Dr. Cannon In Charge

Dr. Munn Q. Cannon chairman of the Intermountain A.A.U. swim committee, is conducting the event which is an official part of the Covered Wagon Days celebration.  Officials of CWD will be on hand for the finish of the race, congratulate the winners and attend a dinner given by James Latses, operator of Black Rock Beach.  In the swimmers' and officials' honor in the early evening.  Gus P. Backman, Intermountain A.A.U. president, planned to attend and aware the four official national A.A.U. trophies to the first four finishers.  

Officials for the event, besides Dr. Cornwall and Dr. Cannon, are: Charles Welch Sr., presiding judge; George Adamson, Chloris Watts, first aid; Don Reddish, Denny Ausherman and Rex Sutherland, timers;  Dr. Hyde Cowley, clerk of the course; Harold McNeil, Ward Armstrong and Ferron Loosee, inspectors; Gus P. Backman, honorary judge.

Another name in GSL marathon swimming history - Edward Watson

Here is an article taken from either the Deseret News, or the Salt Lake Tribune, on 7 July 1940:

1939 Champ Files Entry in Lake Swim Classic


Edward C. Watson, Salt Lake City swimmer, who paddled for five hours 25 minutes and 26 seconds to reach Black Rock beach from Antelope island in 1939 to cop the intermountain A.A.U. long distance swim championship, will defend his title this year.  He entered the contest Saturday, according to Dr. Munn. Q Cannon, A.A.U. swim chairman, as a representative of Black Rock beach.

Not only will Watson seek a second intermountain championship, but this year will seek the national A.A.U. individual long distance swim championship for men, since the annual Antelope island-Black Rock swim to be held this year on Sunday, July 21, as a feature of the Covered Wagon Days celebration has been awarded the national championship.

In Accident


Missing among the contestants will be the "grand old man" of the yearly swim, Orson Spencer, lately of Ogden, who is recovering from injuries received in an automobile accident.  Spencer dropped the title for the first time in years in 1939 when he became lost in the mountainous waves of the lake in weather declared to be the worst ever experienced in the classic swim.

Watson, the lone swimmer to finish the 8.12 miles, had hoped to engage Spencer in a duel in the 1940 classic, but will be deprived of the chance.

"I really wanted a chance to race Spencer this year."  Watson said.  "I have heard from every swimmer I know that he has a great stroke, one of the best in the intermountain west.   Winning the 1939 race proved nothing except that I was able to go the route.  I could have just as well gotten off the course as Spencer and the rest of the boys--and never have finished.  Maybe I was just plain lucky.  I've been looking forward to meeting Spence, and I'm sure we both would have enjoyed tangling."

After Record


"If Spencer isn't in, the next best thing to do is to try and lower his record of three hours, 40 minutes and 52 seconds, and I believe I've got a chance to do it.  At least I'm going to try, if we get good weather, and that is likely, with the date advanced to July 21.  I can concentrate on that with Spencer out of the race.  With him in, I'd be too busy watching him to swim for time.  There may be some others who will make the going tough--but in training at least I'm aiming at time more than anything else."

Nearly 200 invitations have been mailed for the national junior championships to all sections of the country and the swim may attract a national field.

Orson Spencer's 1932 Antelope To Saltair world record swim

It was recorded in Dale Morgan's book:

"In 1919 a professional swimmer, C.S. Leaf, negotiated the distance between Antelope Island and Saltair in 2 hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds, and 7 years later a marathon swim was staged;  the event was won by Chick Mitchell.  The marathon was revived in 1930 and for 3 years was won by Orson Spencer; his record time, 2:20 was set in 1932."

Well, here is the newspaper article printed about the race.  I got the clip from Julie Bernard.  The article doesn't have a date, or whether it was the Deseret News or the Salt Lake Tribune.  But it implies that it was after 1931.  Based on the above statement by Mr. Morgan in his book, this article was from 1932.

"Veteran Paddler [Swims] To Victory in 2:20 Flat

Ray Welch Places Second; Nielsen's [Great] Finish Gains Him Junior Prize; Maurine Wilhelmsen Clocks 3:31:39 by George Wells

Orson Spencer's powerful strokes took the sting out of briny Great Salt lake again Saturday when he stroked to victory and another new record in the annual Antelope island-to-Saltair Beach six-and-one-half-mile swim.

It was the third successive victory for the Deseret gymnasium ace, whose blond hair stands out in contrast with the bronze of his brawny shoulders.

Spencer literally cruised to the finish in 2 hours 20 minutes, to lower by 5 minutes 41 seconds the record he established in the event last year.

The veteran finished 15 minutes 35 seconds earlier than his nearest rival, Ray Welch, junior champion in 1930, who clocked 2:35:35.

Theron Nielsen, after a rousing spurt in the final stretch, won third place and the junior championship.  He clocked 2 hours 44 minutes 20 seconds.

Conditions Excellent

Conditions as fair as those of the 1931 race prevailed Saturday.  A slight swell that lapped the swimmers gently toward their left as they proceeded in an almost due southerly direction prevailed throughout most of the race.

And, with his powerful strokes as a rudder, Spencer kept almost a bee line for the launch that designated the finish line.  He went into the lead from the start, and his steady free style propelled him out in front more than 200 yards by the time the half way mark was reached.

At that point, Welch passed Don Larsen and went into second place.  Welch held his position with little change in regard to Spencer, but he steadily pulled ahead of Larsen until he had left approximately 150 yards between him and his follower.

From that point on the genuine thrills of the race developed as Larsen and Theron Nielsen began a stroke for stroke battle that lasted throughout the 150-yard stretch to the finish."

GSL Race results 1932 - Salt Lake Tribune - 24 July 1932

Spencer Creates New Record in Winning Lake Swim Again

Champions in Great Salt Lake Swim

Nielsen Passes Larsen

Orson Spencer, stroking the route to his third successive
championship and another new record. 

Nielsen had passed Larson and assumed third place approximately a half mile from the finish, and as the latter lagged behind it appeared that his best paddling had been done. 

But he found a final rousing sport which carried him back into third place by a body length as the end neared. Nielsen, a former breaststroke man, swimming his first long free style race, lagged until the final 20 feet, when Larson developed cramps and nearly folded up.

Maurine Wilhelmsen,
lone female contender,
who stroked the 6.5 mile
Great Salt Lake course
in 3:31:39 to win the
women's title.

"He finished, however, but Nielsen had stroked steadily into third place and the junior championship by a scant three seconds.  Nielsen's time was 2:44:20, Larsen's, 2:44:23.  Willard Snow in 2:47:27, and Lewis Carroll, second in the junior race last season, in 2:50:57 completed the finish of the men's race.

"Miss Maurine Wilhelmsen, with one of the games and steadiest swimming exhibitions ever given by a woman in the race, stroked the course as the lone feminine entrant in 3 hours 31 minutes 39 seconds.

She was awarded the first place gold medal for the women's race and first, second and third place men in the senior event received gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.  Nielsen asos received a gold medal emblematic of his junior prize.

Twelve started the senior race, but six of them left the water for boats before the event was over."

August 1st, 1931 Deseret News Article

Deseret News, Saturday, August 1, 1931 - "A Few Courageous Swimmers Who Seek Honors in Deseret News Salt water Marathon - Here are a few of the swimmers in the annual Deseret News Antelope Island to Saltair swim which will be staged in the water of Great Salt Lake Today.  These paddlers will represent the Deseret gym and the Saltair Beach company.  Orson Spencer is the defending senior champion and Ray Welch is the junior champ.  Billie Droubay is the only woman contestant entered.  John Thomas, Don Larson, Grant Anderson, Stand Dangerfield, Cecil Jacobsen and Lewis Carroll are practically all former high school stars who are trying the marathon for the first time."

 

For 35 years paddlers have been doing battle with Great Salt Lake, Utah's great inland sea in an attempt to set up new speed records.  The annual Antelope Island to Saltair marathon today will be a continuation of this colorful attempt at new records in a swim which can be and should be in time one of the most important aquatic events in the country.
The Deseret News was first started by Deseret News swimmers way back in 1897 when the gunny sack bathing suit was the latest in beach leggery.
The first salt water marathon that was tried had in three contestants, all employees of the News.  They were John Hansen, city editor at that time George Q. Morris, now of Elias Morris and Sons, and Joseph E. Caurott, present editor of the News.  The trio started from Black Rock, followed by James H. Anderson, news editor in 1897, who tagged alone with a row boat to act as guard.  The distance at that time was said to be six and one-half miles from Black Rock to Saltair.  Hansen got cramps  .... year 1898.  George Q. Morris, Dr. Ralph Lee Chamberlain and Joseph J Cannon again tried that Black Rock to Saltair paddle.  They took the course slowly and [swam] the distance in about six hours.  J. H. Anderson again backed up the swimmers with a row-boat, assisted by Dr. A. J. Ridges, now of the the Salt Lake Clinic, and Fred W. Reynolds, now with the University of Utah, extension division.  This is the first certified Great Salt Lake Marathon Swim. "

Six and a half miles from Black Rock to Saltair?  The water level must have been really high and the location of the old Saltair much further north than the current one.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my swim for today:

Got up early to make sure I'm in the water as soon as the lifeguard gets on the chair.  Thing is it didn't happen until 4:59:45.  So much for getting an extra 5 minutes.

8000 - 2 x 4000 free

had to get out for a quick bathroom break

4000 - 2 x 2000 free

400 - 100 IM/Free/IM/Back

12,400 yards total


I wanted 4x4000s, but I ended up taking too long talking to Tim in between sets.  So I had to cut today's workout from 9 miles down to 7.  (I also need to get to work early, I have a TON to do!)
Anyway Ted is going to Nationals the end of this week.  He's one of the fastest SDRC swimmers.  He and Kevin are the only ones going to Arizona from our group.  Good luck guys!

Information Overload!

Prof C.S Leaf

On Saturday afternoon, I met with Phyllis Spencer and her daughter Julie Bernard.  Phyllis is 101 and has really gone downhill the past few weeks and is expected to pass shortly.  I tried asking her questions about her husband, Orson and their young life.  But she was incoherent most of the time.  I'll try to scrap together a few seconds of the recorded interview, but I really should have done this interview last year.

Julie let me borrow several copies of newspaper articles which I copied and have gone over.  There is just so much information there and alot of great coverage of the old GSL races.  Many of the articles I already had, but I copied those that I did not have.  Here's the original collection I had a while back, and here's the new collection of cool articles. 

I was pleased to see articles about Orson's fellow swimmers Ed Watson, Ken Lyman and a picture of the first guy to swim the Antelope to Saltair course - C.S. Leaf.  I was also interested to read about an exhibition race at the old Deseret Gym where Adolph Keifer came along with a couple of his buddies and kicked around all the local speedsters, giving them various handicap head starts, and still beat them.  Must have been very entertaining and impressive to watch!  Now Adolph Keifer is a worldwide name associated with swimming!

I am amazed at how much media coverage there was of this event!  It must have been a very exciting time to be a successful swimmer in the Salt Lake area! I really dig the old swim suits.  Here's a very cool old picture of the life guards and those associated with the Red Cross probably in the late 1930's:

Later this week I will highlight a specific article and put them in digital form.  Now off to bed.  I have a 9 mile swim tomorrow morning!

Detailed history of an open water legend in Utah - Orson Spencer

I received a treasure in the mail today!  Orson Spencer's grand-daughter sent me several newspaper articles as well as some personal journal entries from Orson's mother.  I've scanned these and put them in this photo album.

Here is the letter she sent me:

October 6, 2010

Dear Mr. Gridley,

I appreciate your interest in my father and his swimming accomplishments, as well as the Great Salt Lake Swimming events. I apologize for being so slow at getting this information to you.

I have copied a few of the articles we had in his personal history and typed an entry from his mother about his swimming that might be interesting. If I come across any more, I'll forward them on to you. I understand that many of Utah's newspapers are now online and can be viewed and copied. I found a list of many articles from the Ogden Standard Examiner. A list of dates of those articles is as follows:

9 Dec 1926, 22 Apr, 23 Apr, 9 Dec 1927, 8 Apr 1928, 25 Aug 1929, 16 Apr, 19 Apr 1930, 11 Apr, 28 Oct 1931, 31 Jan 1932, 27 Apr 1933, 20 Apr 1934, 29 Mar, 30 Mar 1935, 19 July, 5 Sept 1937, 15 Apr 1938, 29 Jan, 14 Apr, 7 Aug 1939, 6 Apr 1940, 26 Mar, 27 Mar 1941, 26 Mar 1943, 2 Apr 1947, 7 Apr 1960. I imagine that other newspapers on similar dates would have also had articles as well.

Entry written by his mother Hazel V. Spencer in his history:

"On July 20, 1941, Orson won a two mile race at Pine View lake (fresh water), Ogden. We were so thrilled to see him beat five of Utah's best swimmers so soon after breaking his arm. Then Aug 3, 1941, on his mother's birthday he won the race from Antelope Island to Blackrock. It was a terrible day, be he battled the high waves alone, when all other swimmers quit, just because he had promised his mother he would win. The man who followed him in the boat looked like he was made of salt; and he said, 'It would take one better than a fish to swim the lake today.'"

As to the reason the race stopped, my mother agrees with the Harbormaster of the GSL, that it was because of the war.

I was thrilled to see your blog on your swim and your mentioning my father, as well as seeing his name with yours on the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame record. Thanks for your interest and efforts in bringing back the Antelope to Blackrock Race.

Sincerely,

Nancy S. Woodbury

Here are the many newspaper articles that she sent me which I have scanned and typed up below....

August 15th, 1938:

Spencer Wins Salt Water Swim
Paddles 8 Miles in 4 Hrs. 36 Minutes

Choppy water, which makes swimming in Great Salt Lake a constant battle to avoid strangulation, failed to keep Orson Spencer from successfully defending his Antelope to Black Rock marathon swim championship yesterday.

He negotiated the 8 miles of turbulent brine in 4 hours and 12 minutes to finish far ahead of Ken Lyman whose second place time was 4 hours and 36 minutes. The time was 22 minutes slower than his record of 3 hours and 40 minutes last year.

Bill Armour won a spirited race from R. L. Rigby, Magna mill worker, to finish third in 5 hours and 12 minutes. The other three starters failed to finish.

Crowd Cheers
Lyman matched Spencer stroke for stroke half way, but thereafter fell steadily behind. The winner received an ovation from a large crosed assembled at Black Rock Beach to witness the finish.

Will Receive Trophies
The Black Rock Beach Company will present tropies to all who finished the race. George Knepp, deputy sheriff, supervised boating the swimmers. The race was supervised by Dr. Munn Q. Cannon, chairman of the Intermountain A.A.U. swimming committee which annually promotes the swim.

August 4th, 1941:

Orson Spencer Alone At Finish Of Black Rock Swim

Conditions Worst in History of Race

At the start of the annual Antelope Island-Black Rock Beach swim yesterday, Orson Spencer was just a convalescing ex-champion whose complete recovery from injuries received in an automobile accident was so doubtful as to make his part in competition a distinct question mark.

When the 8.12 mile swim - through the worst conditions encountered in the history of the race - was over, Orson was not only the winner, but the iron man of the gruelling swim, so completely recovered that his strength and stamina was notably ahead of anyone else's and his position in local swimming circles restored.

Swimming the course through mountainous waves that often kept the contestants out of touch with their boats, Orson required five hours, seven hours and 22 seconds - an hour and one-half slower than his own record for the course - but could have taken twice as long and still won, for he was the only man in a starting field of six who finished.

WIND MAKES BIG WAVES

At the start of the race, the water was calm and the going smooth, but it was not long before a heavy wind came up to whip the surface into mountainous waves and made the going both difficult and perilous. Ned Winder of Granger was the first to drop out of the race, and shortly afterwards Ed Watson, who won the race two years ago under highly adverse weather conditions, was taken sick and he had to be hauled into his boat.

Key Lyman, defending champion, was battling with Spencer for the lead in the race, but when the waves got bigger and bigger he gave up the attempt, leaving Spencer, Peter Leavitt and Wayne Christensen in the water. Leavitt was the next to be taken out of the turbulent water, sick and shortly afterwards Christensen swallowed a mouthful of brine and was all through, leaving Spencer in the water alone with nearly two miles to go.

REFUSES TO STOP

Officials urged Orson to call it off and accept a "victory by elimination" but the swimmer kept grimly on under his own power until he reached the finish line unaided.

"It's Mother's birthday, and she's my trainer and coach: I have to giver her a real win for a birthday present." he said when urged to quit the swim before the end of the course.

It was Spencer's sixth win of the gruelling race. He holds both the three-hour-40-minute-52-second record for the present course, set in 1937, and the record for the old Antelope Island to Saltair course, two hours and two minutes.

July 22nd, 1956

Veteran Swimmer Gives Distance Race Slants

Great Salt Lake is a unique body of water - and distance swimming in it is a unique sport.

And if you're going to enter this season's Antelope Island-to-Saltair swim, you'd better start with the fundamentals-such as breathing.

That's the advce for this season's candidates from Orson D. Spencer, the greatest distance swimmer the Intermountain Area has produced, and one of the best in the sprints as well.

Spencer's career is almost a unique one, from his 1919 memories of the first "race" over the course by veteran instructor C. S. "Prof" Leaf, to Orson's final appearance in 1941 freshwater swim at Pineview Dam.

Prospective entrants for the July 23 race this season would do well to listen to the six-time winner of the Antelope classic, whose still-perfect condition, carries him through a program with the Wasatch Mountain Club, and plenty of skiing activity at Alta in the winter.

The swimmer in the Great Salt Lake is of a different breed.

He has no rhythmical breathing as does the ordinary swimmer - he must "breath with the waves" - if they are choppy, his breathing must be choppy; if they are big and slow - then he'd better breathe big and slow.

Because a mouth full of salt brings a definite choking sensation; and two or three mouthfuls take away all sensation, in short order.

And the stroke also is governed by the waves - the freestyle goes over the wave, so that the splash is back of the face, away from the eyes and mouth. Goggles are good only for a short time, beacuse they get covered with salt.

Spencer also learned that most of the work is done with the arms - the legs are so high because of the buoyancy that they are kicked only to maintain circulation.

Stories of Spencer's remarkable condition are legend, but perhaps the two best are these:

THE FIRST, concerns the time when, at 15 years of age, Orson hiked from Saltair north and then along the shoreline to Antelope Island, a distance of about 10 miles, and then swam the five miles back that afternoon and evening - all by himself. Orson wants this story to be forgotten, for it violates every rule of safety he has stressed for so many years since, such as requiring an accompanying boat for every swimer.

The other story concerns the time, a few year later, when he and Paul Swain rowed over to the island in 2 hours and 30 minutes - and Orson swam back in exactly the same time, that afternoon.

Highlights from Orson's career: He still holds the prep 220 free record of 2:32.2. He set a number of other prep marks, but they have since been bettered... He still holds the 150 backstroke record for colleges, at 1:45... He also holds the 300 AAU medley record of 4:04... As he recalls the Antelope swim development: "Prof" Leaf swam the distance in '19 as a dare... Chuck Mitchell won the first AAU race in '26... and Orson won in '30, '31, '32, '37, '38 and '41...

Orson sounds like a must for the Intermountain Area's sports hall of fame.

December 5th, 1962"

Swimming Now a Weighty C..."

Orson Spencer, in his day good enough to represent Utah in the nationals in the backstroke, couldn't make the prep traveling squad today, unless he shaved 10 seconds off his best time.

As a star swimmer for LDS High and the University of Utah, Spencer dominated the local scene for almost two decades and at the age of 32, he finally called it quits. Under today's stepped up swim program, Spencer would be a rarity because of his longevity, but his records would have to improve to merit consideration.

"I swam the backstroke in 1:07 and went to the nationals, where the event was won in 1:07.4" Orson laughed as he visited the Ute workout.

"Now, the high school record for the distance is 54.5 seconds."

There's a reason for this tremendous youth surge in swimming, and Orson is the first to admit it.

"Coach Don Reddish has his Ute swimmers going a mile in the morning, two miles in the afternoon and winding up with 1 1/2 hours of calisthenics in the afternoon. When we were swimming, we were lucky to get in two swims a day, total of maybe a half mile" Orson added.

The age factor is a difference now.

"When I was 15, I wanted to enter the Great Salt Lake swim to Antelope Island, but my dad believed I was too young and I was 20 before I had the chance," Spencer continued.

What a pioneer he was! I am truly blessed to have been able to contact his family who had these wonderful records to share. I truly hope that his love for the sport, and his successes can be appreciated by fellow Utah swimmers and that the Great Salt Lake gets more attention like it once did as a highly respectable open water swimming challenge and adventure.

History of Antelope to Saltair and Blackrock swims - with correction on distances

After looking at the data from the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, it is reported that the distance from Antelope to Saltair is 8.12 miles, and that Antelope to Black Rock is 8.2.  That is confusing to me especially since that 8.12 is the distance is what my GPS reports from last Saturday's race.  So this evening I checked out a copy of Dale L. Morgan's "The Great Salt Lake" book.  On p. 363 is where he sites the swimming records....

"In 1919 a professional swimmer, C.S. Leaf, negotiated the distance between Antelope Island and Saltair in 2 hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds, and 7 years later a marathon swim was staged;  the event was won by Chick Mitchell.  The marathon was revived in 1930 and for 3 years was won by Orson Spencer; his record time, 2:20 was set in 1932.  The receding lake level, which left Saltair high and dry, killed the event, but in 1937 it was again revived under the auspices of Black Rock Beach.   

The distance between Antelope and Saltair was never formally measured, the promoters and swimmers being content to estimate that the distance ranged between 6 and 7 miles.  Continued agitation for national recognition of the event, however, led in 1937 to the survey of the new course, and the distance was officially established at 8.12 miles.  

Over this course Orson Spencer in 1937 and 1938 triumphed exactly as he had over the shorter one;  his record time of 3:40:52 was set in the former year.  In 1939, however, in rough seas E.C. Watson was not merely the winner but the only finisher, even Spencer being taken from the water a mile and a half from shore, nearly blinded by the salt, and far from the course.

The event was held for the last time in 1940, when Kenny Lyman finished ahead of Watson.  Convalescent from an automobile accident, Spencer on this occasion was not a participant.  The record for the Antelope-Black Rock course remains Spencer's time of 3 hours, 40 minutes and 52 seconds, set in 1937."

So the reason the course finish was moved from Saltair to Black Rock was because Saltair was so far from the waters edge.  In reference to the swimmers believing that the distance between Antelope and Saltair was between 6 and 7 miles (for the Saltair finish) is correct.  Here is the map from Antelope (even from a very conservative beach start to get the maximum distance) to Saltair.  It comes in at  6.55 Miles.  If you click the map below and then change the "Map Type" dropdown to "Satellite map", you'll see the landmarks clearly and that the distance of 6.55 is correct.


So the 2:20 time is for a 6.5 mile swim not an 8.12 mile swim (which is the distance to Black Rock).  If you carefully read the above quote, you realize that they're referring to the Black Rock finish as the 8.12 survey'ed distance.

"Continued agitation for national recognition of the event, however, led in 1927 to the survey of the new course, and the distance was officially established at 8.12 miles".

That clears things up for me.  When I read about the history of this swim in a book and the names of the few swimmers mentioned come into my mind it makes me wish I could go back in time to see those races and the excitement of those days before WWII.

I've recently wondered why Saltair and the Black Rock resorts lost their appeal and in p. 360 of Morgan's book he reasons:

"The war crippled both Saltair and the south shore resorts, the latter because of gas and tire rationing, the former becaus eht stock of the Salt Lake, Garfield & Western -- the electrified railroad serving it - went off to war, to the Army's Hill Field"

However in that same paragraph he says that it came back into popularity after the war:

"In 1946 both Saltair and the twin resorts on the south shore, Black Rock and Sunset beaches, hailed the return of the good old days, the rolling stock of the SLG&W returning to its own tracks, and John Q Citizen's car returning from hibernation in the family garage." 

So the resorts crept back into populartiy after the war, but not the marathon swim race?  Why the race never occurred after 1940 remains a mystery.  One question I have is, How did they get to their starting point from South Antelope?  I mean I had to jump through a few minor hoops just to get there.  Did they boat over from Saltair, or did they take the causeway from the north of Antelope like I did?   I bet they took the South Causeway to the south end of the island, which is now closed off.

Anyhow, reading this book and actually swimming the same event really gets me excited for the reintroduction of a recognized marathon swimming event in the Great Salt Lake.  Even though the historical route won't be used for logistical reasons, resurrecting a marathon swimming race in the Great Salt Lake fills my sails and gets me passionate about the sport.

Antelope Island To Blackrock Race - 3:24:37

In preparation for this race, I was very lucky to be able to contact the wife of Orson Spencer, Phyllis, who told me during our conversation that she is over 100 years old.  She told me that her husband had passed away in 1983.  She said there were newspaper clippings of Orson's record swim which she would try to locate. Here they are!

According to the research that Josh conducted, Orson Spencer set a very respectable record of swimming from the south tip of Antelope Island to Blackrock.  He did it in 1937 at a time of 3:40:52.  That day must have been very favorable for swimming, because that is an extremely fast time for an 8.12 mile swim.  That is a 27:12/mile pace.

Well today that record is broken.

We went to Garr Ranch and hoped to meet up with one of the Antelope Island Rangers.  I had previously arranged with one of them and he was totally on board with it. But he called in sick and must not have informed any one of his colleagues of our arrangement.  But that was OK, cause Cathi, Jacob, Oliver and Sam all enjoyed Garr Ranch.  I was amused at the conversation I had with a volunteer and with the Director at Garr Ranch.  The volunteer told me you can't swim from Antelope to Blackrock anymore.  The director said, "You're going to do what!?"

It's funny/annoying when people get this certain mindset about the lake, that it's just too salty, too shallow to swim in.  It's totally false.  It's definitely shallow until you get deep enough to swim in.  But from my experience, that's anywhere from a 50 - 300 yard wade.  The salt?  My mouth has gotten used to it.  When I first started swimming in the Great Salt Lake earlier this year, I felt like I needed something to drink, or to rinse with, every 20-30 minutes.  But now I'm fine going an hour without a rinse.  Although, today I was really going for speed, and decided against frequent breaks.  Anyway, after about 30 minutes of park staff making calls to get approval for me to make the attempt, they finally opened the gate for Cathi and I to drive down the dirt road to the southern tip.

She dropped Jacob and I off where we walked 2.2 miles with the kayak along the beach and across some trails to finally get to the southern tip where we had to walk to the waters edge.  What a long walk!  I was a little tired just doing that walk.  But this was a swim I had been anticipating all week long!  I had carbed up like crazy for this swim.  I wasn't about to let a little hike ruin my day.

The awesome thing about this swim was that we had a pretty good wind from the North the whole way!  It was truly an answer to my prayers.  I really wanted to get a good time and the wind from the north really pushed me right along.  It was sunny all day and the waves were mild, but pushing me the way I was going.  It was perfect!

When we waded through the water until I got up to my waste, I took a temp using my digital therm.  It read 69.8 degrees.  Sweet!  I then took a waypoint on the GPS.  (N 40° 50.019 W112° 11.229).  I pointed Jacob in the right direction and started the swim.  Jacob did a great job staying close to me, and gave me notification at each mile point.  I only stopped for a quick drink of Gatorade every 2 miles.  I looked at my watch on each Mile point and noticed I was hold 23 minute miles.  After reviewing the GPS track data, this is how I did:

Mile 1: 23:08
Mile 2: 23:22 - 30 second Gatorade drink
Mile 3: 23:33
Mile 4: 23:38 - 30 second Gatorade drink
Mile 5: 23:17
Mile 6: 23:15 - 30 second Gatorade drink
Mile 7: 25:05
Mile 8: 25:59 - spent WAY too much time looking for the finish and wondering how much further!
Last .12 mile to the Finish: 13:20 (Had to wade through knee high water which was SO SLOW!  But once I got to mid calf depth I ran the last 50 yards.  I stopped the clock once my feet were on dry sand.
Finish: 3:24:37 (25:11 per mile pace)

Here's the map of my actual route.

I would never have gotten these times if it weren't for the strong southerly wind!  I was so pleased.  I often thought of Orson Spencer during my swim.  I definitely didn't know the man, but I respectfully thought of his swimming in these waters, and wondered what kind of life he led.  I imagined him right next to me, much like Josh, swimming along side me on this most beautiful day!  That really helped me because I focused the whole time on really strong, yet slow and deliberate pulls.  I had issues with cramps over a dozen times, but I didn't stop, I just gently kicked through those until they went away.  Good thing my legs were already floating so well.  I didn't even need to kick, but in order to get the best possible time, I occasionally did some powerful kicks to get just a few seconds faster on each mile.  I truly pushed this swim.  I felt like my pace was more like a 200 yard race, not an 8 mile race.

When I got to the mile 7, I kept anticipating seeing the black rock right there in front of me, so I spent too much time trying to sight for it.  The GSL Harbormaster, who was also notified during all the radio communication trying to get me in, came by on his boat at around 7.5 miles and checked up on us.  He said to Jacob, "Almost there!".  When I got to the point where my hand was hitting the bottom on every stroke, I decided to wade in.  I was hitting sharp Tufa reef and would rather walk gently on it than risk scratching my hands or chest on it.  It was still quite a way in, so my last tenth of a mile in to the finish was very slow. Cathi was there with the kids at the end playing at the beach along with their Hatch cousins.  They all had fun.

Today's swim wasn't the longest I've ever done, but one of the most memorable.

Here's a short video:

Update:  Here are the records of all those who have swam this specific course in the Great Salt Lake.  The course was abandoned as a race after 2014 due to logistics getting permits and transporting people to the south end of Antelope Island.  

Antelope Island to Black Rock

I'm planning on taking on a 72 year old record.  In 1937, Orson Spencer set the record of swimming from Antelope Island to Black Rock in 3:40:52.  For a course that is 8.2 miles that is roughly 26:57/mile.  That's fast.  But given the "float factor", I think it is within reach especially if there is no wind.  So I'm going to plan to do this course on Monday, September 6th (Labor Day).



I'm still working on getting permission from Chris Haramoto to get past the Garr Ranch gate which will let me get to the southern tip.  I'm also going to have to construct a small wheelset for the Kayak, so I can rest it on a small plank on large wheels so that I can transport it on land without having to carry it.  Small enough that I can just tote it on the kayak when I'm on water.  It's a good mile and a half walk from the end of the dirt road to the southern tip shoreline.