“Lots of people have asked me why I do ultra-marathon swims. It’s a good question, but it’s hard to express why I do it.
I like the peacefulness of swimming, I like the challenge and dynamic nature of open water swimming since no swim is ever the same. I can’t go past a body of water without wondering what it would be like to swim in it. Since I live in a place that has lots of places to swim — it means that I keep swimming.
Patti Bauernfeind’s 23-mile crossing of the very cold, jellyfish-strewn Monterey Bay can be followed here.
“I am excited to dive in [to Monterey Bay] Tuesday night. I’m even more excited to help raise money for Trust in Education for their efforts in Afghanistan.
Over 150 million children in the world ages 5-14 are deprived of education due to poverty, slavery, sexual discrimination, racial discrimination, racism and religious intolerance. The cost of educating each child in the developing world is about US$1 per month per child. Several global studies show that educating a girl to at least 5th grade education level, is the most significant factor in impoverished societies to decrease infant mortality rates, decrease/stabilize population growth and significantly improve the basic life quality over a generation. The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.”
“If you educate a boy, you educate an individual – if you educate a girl, you educate a community.” from an old African Proverb
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source