Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

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Mark
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Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

Post by Mark »

Last Wednesday Briggsy and I kayak-escorted Laura and Rob Jones on their swim from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard.

Here we are going over the swim route on my chart at the "dive in".
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Dave gets feeding instructions from Laura on the beach before heading out.
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Rob and I discuss tactics.
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And off we go. Look how flat the Sound was!
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Dave escorted Laura.
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Rob's Feeding Time. I just held up the bottle and he would swim over to drink. After the first 40 minutes and then every 20 minutes thereafter.
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Half-way? Rob was stung by two jellyfish on the crossing, but at least we didn't see any sharks!
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The wind started to pick up a bit and the water got a little choppier as we approached East Chop. (Is that why they call it "Chop"?)
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Rob finished the swim in exactly two and a half-hours. Here his kayak escort congratulates him on the beach at Oak Bluffs.
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Laura was about an hour behind Rob. By the time she was approaching Oak Bluffs, the current was running strong and an opposing breeze was kicking things up.
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Dave successfully guided Laura to shore despite the current that wanted to take them to Chappaquiddick.
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Afterward, we all got a ride back to Falmouth on one of the powerboat escorts. Our kayaks rode in the middle of the cabin. (Return trip took about 15 minutes!)
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It was a successful adventure! Enough so that Laura is already talking about swimming from Martha's Vineyard to Nantucket next!
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kayakerjnj
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Re: Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

Post by kayakerjnj »

You guys are good sorts for doing this! Looks like you had a memorable day out of it too!

KUDOS to you and Dave!
Paddle with a big smile, its contagious 8)


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Birdseye
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Re: Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

Post by Birdseye »

Great post. Fun to read and follow along with the swim. How fast were they swimming (approx)?
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Mark
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Re: Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

Post by Mark »

Birdseye wrote:Great post. Fun to read and follow along with the swim. How fast were they swimming (approx)?


Thanks, Nelson. Glad you enjoyed it.

Rob swam almost a straight line of about 6.5 miles, so his pace was about 2.5 MPH.

Laura's route was a little longer but she took just under 3.5 hours, so maybe 2 MPH?
NorwayLady
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Re: Oak Bluffs, MV (Part 2)

Post by NorwayLady »

Thanks, Mark. Amazing! Was their accomplishment written up in the new? I would say this is the best story I have read this week!

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