NYCkayaker Anyone doing this Sunday's Governors Island Swim support?

[PAZ764 at aol.com]

Hi,my name is Paul and I'm a recovering MIF swim coordinator.
  It became very frustrating to me being lied to continually about  
everything but the date of the swim events. Having to beg kayakers to come  and then 
try to explain why we didn't get what we were promised truly bothered  me. 
However, things such as goody bags and tee shirts were minor  issues,SAFETY!!!,that 
is the issue.When the safety of both the swimmers and the  paddlers is 
completely disregarded, it was time to walk (or paddle)away.As much  as I'd like to 
be there for the safety of the swimmers,I just can't work with a  
(charity?)organization that doesn't care about right and wrong. We all have  egos, this is 
not an ego thing, it's a safety thing. A few years ago, a number  of 
paddlers,including myself,Tim, Nancy, Bonnie,and others, had a meeting  with the MIF 
"powers" about safety and our opinion of the idea of a  Governors Island 
swim.We voice our concerns and then were told "thank you,  but I'm doing it my 
way."At that moment, the paddlers stood and walked away.  There's a reason the 
staff at MIF changes almost yearly. I'm hearing through  reliable sources, the 
Coast Guard and the NYPD are forming the same conclusions  we have and are 
"reviewing the situation." 
 On a brighter note, there are a number of swim events throughout the  area 
that treat all involved respectfully and work WITH the kayakers to do  what is 
SAFEST for all parties. I still do a few swims a  year,just not with MIF. I 
encourage kayakers to try  swim support  at an event this summer, they are fun 
and rewarding. Sandy is  running two swim support classes at the Downtown 
Boathouse in the next few  weeks. Open water swims  are great,just not all of  
them.     Paul 



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