NYCkayaker 2007 Poker Run / MIMS Volunteering

[Richard Clifford]

Emile,
    I believe  that your ratio numbers are incorrect. The event always 
has had one power boat and one kayaker for each swimmer as the model. If 
anything there have been fewer power boats rather than more.
    The Foundation does not need any power boats. The swimmers need a 
power boat to carry a race official/observer, crew for the swimmer 
(limited number), and boat crew. Additional boats are on hand for the 
Press, for other race officials supervising the course, and Police/Fire 
and U.S. Coast Guard officials supervising the harbor and rivers.
    And, typically the power boat has stayed a distance off of the 
swimmer during the course with sensitivity to wind direction. No one 
likes to inhale exhaust fumes anywhere anytime - perhaps other than 
NASCAR fans. But they don't truly get "gas" fumes.
    Lastly, I an just curious how anyone might "know" that the Manhattan 
swim event "ratio is /usually /around 2:1" if that person never has 
volunteered over the years. It is a fun event and a powerful undertaking 
by these individual swimmers. I encourage Emile and anyone else to give 
more thought to volunteering. Hey, you could work with the organizers on 
the environmental issues worrying folks in this thread. - Richard Clifford




Emile Zen wrote:

>  
> Setting aside the issue of "cigarette" boats for the moment, I've 
> always wondered if the number of volunteer power boats for this event 
> is necessary.  It seems that the ratio is usually around 2:1 (power 
> boats to swimmers), with about equal numbers of power boats as 
> kayaks.  Just the thought of inhaling all that exhaust has kept me 
> from volunteering for years.
>  
> Does the foundation (or swimmers) really need all those power boats?
>  
> Emile
> *//*

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