Drawing Blood In The Open Water – Vampire Swims
Courtesy of Phil White, Newport, Vermont. On Halloween October 31st, 15 Vampire Swims around the world achieved their goals.
“In 15 venues around the world, the First Annual International Vampire Swim attracted up to 400 swimmers who gave blood, got their Spookies on and swam The Chilies in 15 venues including, Myrtlesville, Cork Ireland, Boston, New York, Westport, Annapolis, Loch Ness, Loch Lomand, South Dublin, Ireland, San Diego, Leeds, Flathead Lake, Galveston, Michigan, Ottawa, and Newport,” explains Vampire Swims visionary Phil White. “Many of them were first time donors or had not given blood in years. Others are regular donors.”
In order to register for the Vampire Swims, swimmers had to donate blood within 6 weeks prior to the swim. Some venues also arranged a blood mobile to collect donations immediately after the swim. “Those who cannot make a donation of blood for medical reasons can make a cash donation to the Red Cross or some other similar organization,” said White.
The event arose from discussions between Jaimie Monahan of New York City, Greg O’Connor of Boston and White of Derby, Vermont. As the conversation broadened, more and more open water swimmers came forward and hosted the swim and blood drive.
“The goal was simple: Have Some Fun, Do Some Good, Enjoy a nice cold, open water swim with like-minded Vampire Swimmers,” said White.
For more information or to host a venue in 2016, contact Phil White at phw1948@gmail.com. For a list of venues, visit here.
Top photo is courtesy of Anne Whalen McLindon of the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland. Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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