Inaugural event this summer to raise money for Northcoast Marine Mammal Center
5/29/14
An open-water swimmer has found a way to connect her passion for swimming and community outreach by creating the Humboldt Bay Critter Crawl — a 4.5mile open water swim from Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay to Woodley Island Marina on July 13.
“We’re looking for swimmers that are experienced in open water swimming, because temperatures can hover around 50 to 60 degrees on average and can change throughout the swim,” said event organizer Sarah Green. “I think it’s appropriate that our inaugural swim is to help benefit the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center and the elephant seal pups because they inhabit the waters we swim in. There are a lot of things that make this timely in supporting the center.”
Green said the Humboldt Bay Harbor District will provide a boat to help with traffic in the water, and a kayaker will be alongside every swimmer to make sure there are no problems and give them food or fluids during the swim.
“The biggest risks to swimmers in the bay environment are motorized boats and hypothermia,” Green said. “People don’t think about getting dehydrated in the water, but you do. This is a current- assisted swim, so we are anticipating that the swim will take most swimmers one to two hours to complete depending on their swim speed, water temperature, and the strength of the current on that day.”
Green started a Facebook page called “Humboldt Bay Critter Crawl” last week, and there are already three swimmers so far.
“If people want to participate, they can contact me through the Facebook page or at the Healing Spirit Wellness Center, mainly because I want to talk to them and get an idea of their experience.”
Other ways to participate include donating, either from individuals or businesses, or just coming out on the day of the event. All donations will go directly to the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center, she said.
Green and her partner, Bill, have been swimming in the bay for the past few years but realize that not a lot of people swim in it. So, she thought the Critter Crawl would not only bring attention to the help the center, but also encourage people to swim in the bay.
“It’s something that’s becoming more popular,” Green said. “I realize the colder water isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great resource we have (and) open water swimming is a great way to stay healthy.”
For more info, visit http://www.humboldtbaycrittercrawl.com/
Like the Critter Crawl on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/humoldtbaycrittercrawl
Click HERE to donate to the Critter Crawl
