A Manhattan Mermaid On An Open Water Journey
A Manhattan Mermaid On An Open Water Journey
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Deanne Draeger replicated the first swim from Manhattan Island to Coney Island last month. Draeger celebrated the 99th anniversary of 17-year-old Rose Pitonof‘s swim from East 26th Street in Manhattan Island to the Steeplechase Pier in Coney Island.Like Rose, Draeger took 8 hours 10 minutes to complete the 14.77-mile (23.7 km) journey.
Like many newcomers to the sport, 42-year-old Deanne had very little previous athletic experience – but she has drive and commitment that has taken to heights she never knew possible. After training to do her second Ironman triathlon, Draeger got injured and was ultimately unable to bike or run, leaving swimming as her sole outlet for her newly found passion for endurance sports. “I decided to focus on swimming. As I was searching online for a long distance swim event, I came across the article about Rose Pitonof and her swim, and knew immediately that that was what I wanted to do. For the swim, I wore a thin surf skin shirt for sun protection and then later did the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim as part of the relay team The Manhattan Mermaids.”
It is these stories of individuals who are drawn to the allure of crossing a body of water – willing themselves to overcome a variety of physical and mental obstacles to success – that are so refreshing to learn about. Each open water journey begins with the first stroke and Draeger is well on her way.
Copyright © 2008 – 2010 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.
Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)
