I’m not sure what I was thinking last year, when, after swimming 4 miles from the Loop 360 Bridge to Walsh Landing next to Hula Hut, I high-fived Alisa Magrum and promised I’d swim twice that distance this year to raise money for Colin’s Hope.
But I did, and on Sept. 2, I’ll wade into Lake Austin and take the first of many strokes as I swim from City Park to Walsh Landing, near the Hula Hut restaurant.
Colin’s Hope is a non-profit organization created by the parents of a 4-year-old boy who drowned at an Austin health club three years ago. Magrum (that’s her in the photos) now serves as executive director of the non-profit organization, which promotes water safety.
Last Sunday, about 15 swimmers and I met on the farthest reaches of Lake Austin for a training swim to prepare for the Colin’s Hope Got2Swim event. The water’s more refreshing up at that end of the lake than it is closer to town.
We squealed a little as we leapt in, then sloshed upstream for about 45 minutes before turning around.
Most of us got out after an hour and a half, but Magrum turned around and made a second loop.
Whew!
Last year’s 4-mile swim took me just over 2 hours, so I expect this year’s 8-miler to take about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Magrum’s passionate about the Colin’s Hope cause. With good reason, too.
Central Texas has recorded a slew of drownings this year, including one off of Red Bud Isle and another near the Loop 1/MoPac bridge in Town Lake, and several in Lake Travis.
Texas leads the nation in drownings and near drownings this swim season, according to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission Pool Safely Campaign.
As of June 22, 68 children have drowned in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
And here’s an eye-opening stat: Nineteen percent of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.
I’ve committed to raising $1,000 for the Colin’s Hope cause. Thanks to everyone who has pitched in so far. It means a lot to me.
To donate,
go here.
