Congratulations to our 2016 PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swimmers!!

Theresa Bessette, Shawna Jackson, Sanaa Johnson, Donna Nunn, Savannah Trujillo and Karen Elizabeth Wapato joined us from Idaho, Washington, and California, with tribal affiliations including Sicangu Lakota, Cherokee, Colville, Hoopa, and  Nez Perce for our 2016 PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swim Week .

October 10, 2016, was the swim in from Alcatraz,  the culmination of the 2016 PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swim Week.

We had the worst swim conditions we’d ever had for a PATHSTAR Alcatraz swim, and it was a tough crossing. The chop moved us up and down, the wind pushed us east, and the ebb never kicked in. We could not establish a regular rhythm, making breathing even more challenging. We fought, we swam, we made it across.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I was deeply impressed by the perseverance and can-do attitude of every one.”     Neil Heller, 1st time PATHSTAR volunteer

“Hard swimming conditions—foggy, windy, choppy, big flood. And they ALL made it. Unbelievable fortitude and bravery.”     Avis Licht, PATHSTAR volunteer (2009-now)

I’m always impressed with your crew, but this year was something special.  They all made it, in those conditions.  Those would have been daunting for somebody with 10 times more experience. I was super-impressed and really moved to be part of that one. Thanks.”     Rico Dell’Osso, PATHSTAR volunteer (2003-now)