Cross Country Swim for Veterans

[Boog]

Hello folks, Planeflyer21 introduced me to the forum a little while ago from a motorcycle forum we frequent. Some of you have read about my quest; bringing awareness to veteran suicide prevention programs through cross-country swims. I am raising funds for The Fitch Foundation (TFF) (http://thefitchfoundation.org/) and am one of their B-Bold adaptive athletes featured on their website.  

On July 16^th, I will conduct the first of several long distance swims beginning in the Potomac River at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant in Dumfries, VA; swimming to Tim’s II in Fairview Beach, VA. This is a 17-mile swim. It starts with a party the night before at Tim’s in Dumfries and has a pier side sleep over for boaters followed by breakfast (something he usually is not open for); and then an after-swim party at Tim’s II.

If you wish to support me in this cause, you can help in several ways. Donations can go to TFF listed above and will help all veterans in their programs. They are a 501(C)(3) charity and are open to all generations of veterans regardless of disability. One could also donate directly to help me at: gofund.me/yethwjuc.

In addition, I have a public Facebook page set up where I only post about my progress and that of others in the B-Bold program (no politics): https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Boog-Powell-1691044154497140/. Please check it out, hit like and invite all your friends to like it as well. I take all help I can get to spread the word about the high number of suicides each day.

Finally, I have attached a flyer suitable for printing out and placing where it is allowed.

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Boog]

Training is still moving forward. The Potomac is warming up which is good for me but also helps the grass and weeds grow. I swam this weekend through a field of tall river weeds to the point I had to stop. The weeds in the designated swim area are so thick they were ripping my snorkel out and stopping to pull plants out of my fins and readjust my mask was defeating my workout. Still, I did enough to work up a sweet and with a few pointers from my old swim buddy, I am sure the next trip to a different area will work better.

 

[survivalshop]

  Did Kermit the frog hop on in the weeds?

[Boog]

Kermit is a nice guy, a true friend, and of course an expert swimmer. In his best, non-confrontational way, we explained that being a fat human trying to muscle my way through the weeds is just not the best way to do it. (He said this nicer than that of course). He mentioned something about being graceful and that I am not. He did not hop through these but he did glide ever so effortlessly...

[Boog]

Suicide hit close to home yesterday as one of my active duty workmates lost his best friend (another active duty guy in a unit across country). My workmate was scheduled to go on a short detachment but cancelled to head over there to help out. From what I know, they went through all their training together and then their first unit together. I do not know why my buddy's friend killed himself, I just know that it affects so many people.
After work, I swam 3 miles in the pool. Just over a month form now I will do the 17 mile Potomac River swim. The closer I get to this date, it seems the more I learn about the numbers of vets who commit suicide. The media does not bring enough awareness to this issue. I do wish we could figure out how to curb it.

[shepp]

1 hour ago, Boog said:

Suicide hit close to home yesterday as one of my active duty workmates lost his best friend (another active duty guy in a unit across country). My workmate was scheduled to go on a short detachment but cancelled to head over there to help out. From what I know, they went through all their training together and then their first unit together. I do not know why my buddy's friend killed himself, I just know that it affects so many people.
After work, I swam 3 miles in the pool. Just over a month form now I will do the 17 mile Potomac River swim. The closer I get to this date, it seems the more I learn about the numbers of vets who commit suicide. The media does not bring enough awareness to this issue. I do wish we could figure out how to curb it.

Ugh that's terrible.......

[Boog]

Update: I have changed the start time of my swim on July 16 from 0900 to 0700. At a meeting this week with Tim Bauckman of Tim's Rivershore Restaurant, we noticed that high tide is at 0456 that morning. Starting two hours earlier will give me more push down the river. Still, it looks like my last hour or more will be against the incoming tide. No worries though. I will swim against that at the end of the 17 miles like (metaphorically speaking) many people feel they are doing in life.
This afternoon, I will be filmed while swimming a practice bit in front of Tim's, hopefully I can post the press release once it is edited.

[planeflyer21]

Right on Boog!

I'm looking forward to you doing this swim!

[Boog]

https://www.facebook.com/TimsRiversh...3461446876580/
Here I am finishing a practice swim at Tim's where I will begin my swim on July 16 at 0700.
A concern was voiced to Tim this week from a fellow who wants to help out. This man seems to be concerned that a guy like me will not quit even if I am in an extraneous situation. He wanted to know if there would be any safety swimmer along since I may not have the sense to stop. (I asked Tim if this actually knows me). I do have safety swimmers now and will announce them as soon as things are solidified. One is a former Rescue Swimmer student of mine and Navy brother.
Besides the three boats Tim will have in the water, I also have one of my riding buddies that will bring up his boat form Colonial Beach and two other potentials. If this keeps going, I will soon have an armada escorting me.

[planeflyer21]

That's great!

Once word gets out more, you'll probably have a couple of PBRs from Little Creek!  

[Boog]

Now that would be cool. Have you ever been swimming when one rolls up on you at full speed? Try it some time...

[shepp]

Probably should save the PBR for the after swim celibration

[Boog]

Are you referring to Patrol Boat River or Pabst Blue Ribbon @shepp?

[shepp]

The blue ribbon lol

[Boog]

Got it, being the kind of Sailor I am, I thought the other.:-) But now I know your talking beer, I'll have a nice thick porter or stout please...

[shepp]

22 minutes ago, Boog said:

Got it, being the kind of Sailor I am, I thought the other.:-) But now I know your talking beer, I'll have a nice thick porter or stout please...

My fav! I figured when flyer said it that it was a navy term, but the Wisconsin in me thought beer ?

[Boog]

I could have used both yesterday. We had strong storms the night before and the river was higher and faster. I took me 47 minutes to swim one mile into the current. And I had to swim hard to make it that far. It only took 29 to swim back. The Navy PBR could have pulled me and the canned PBR could refresh me. Man was I smoked.

[shepp]

2 hours ago, Boog said:

I could have used both yesterday. We had strong storms the night before and the river was higher and faster. I took me 47 minutes to swim one mile into the current. And I had to swim hard to make it that far. It only took 29 to swim back. The Navy PBR could have pulled me and the canned PBR could refresh me. Man was I smoked.

Your crazy man keep it up!!

[Boog]

4 river miles yesterday, 2 against the current, 2 with. 2 hours 19 minutes, no cramps and I felt good at the end of the swim. At 2 miles, I ate a snack of cherries and a peach and a shot of Frog Fuel, and a half liter of water.
The first 2 miles, I wore my Rocket fins from my Navy days, man they are hard on the feet that long. I will not be wearing them for my 17 mile swim in 2 weeks. I will be wearing the lighter US Diver's.
So, it is just under two weeks before I do the 17 miles on July 16th. Think happy thoughts....
 

[shepp]

2 hours ago, Boog said:

4 river miles yesterday, 2 against the current, 2 with. 2 hours 19 minutes, no cramps and I felt good at the end of the swim. At 2 miles, I ate a snack of cherries and a peach and a shot of Frog Fuel, and a half liter of water.
The first 2 miles, I wore my Rocket fins from my Navy days, man they are hard on the feet that long. I will not be wearing them for my 17 mile swim in 2 weeks. I will be wearing the lighter US Diver's.
So, it is just under two weeks before I do the 17 miles on July 16th. Think happy thoughts....
 

You got it man!!

[unforgiven]

Good luck brother,I/we are confident you will succeed.

It is with a heavy heart to hear of the loss of one of you'r brothers.If there was only a solution to this most tragic of problems...."that God welcomes him into heaven with open arms" and that he has finnaly found peace .

[Boog]

A most excellent workout yesterday. I started about a half hour before high tide so swimming into the current for the first mile was nothing but a thing. Right at the turn around point, I felt the swift in the flow. Swimming the mile back was a piece of cake.
The second lap was a tad more...slow. I had the full current, plus tide flowing out and the wind against me. Time-wise, that mile was almost 2 miles worth of water distance. The mile back was once more a piece of cake.
Getting out, I feel great. I love that a four mile river swim has become easy to do.
Tim, the owner of Tim's is there to greet me after the workout.

 

[Boog]

3 more days till my first big swim...

Kermit still coaching me...

[planeflyer21]

We'll be putting our donation up Friday.  Things have been a bit tight.  Everywhere with everyone, I know.  I pray we see a big boost on the funds now!

[Boog]

I appreciate that brother. If any of the media show up, I will include a link to their coverage.