Just when you thought the end was in sight, Andy Magness may decide to lengthen it.
The END-WET or the Extreme North Dakota Watersports Endurance Test, has been running for two years in the mighty Red River from North Dakota to Minnesota, but it is about to get longer.
“My head is usually full of wonder and new ideas and what-if thought experiments,” explains race director Andy Magness. “Particularly when I’m inspired by the events and people around me. With all that inspirational energy coursing through my mind and body, I’ve been pacing and wondering and what-if’ing even more than usual.”
So what does this mean?
It means things may change for the 2014 END-WET or the Extreme North Dakota Watersports Endurance Test, one of America’s Top 100 Open Water Swims.
“It means that I’m going to work harder to better develop the part of the experience that was the most lacking in my mind – the finish line. And to ensure that everyone who finishes this race is received like a hero [the course may be lengthened]. We need heroes up here. It’s a hard thing to sell kids in North Dakota on a life of adventure and endurance and the benefits of physical and mental challenges.”
Magness has this in mind for the 2014 END-WET:
Date – earlier in the year so water temperatures are a bit colder and flows a bit higher
Start – Belmont Park/Frog Point (new start location)
END location – Grand Forks, North Dakota
# Portages – 0
Distance – roughly 36 downriver miles
Time cutoff – TBD, a minimum of 16 hours
“The last 5 miles are very spectator friendly. There will be an improved finish line atmosphere with more spectators, better food, showers,and community support with a cap of 40 solo swimmers and 10 relay teams.”
As they say on the boat, “You’re almost there…”
Photo shows Dan Projansky who finished the shorter version of the 27-mile END-WET all butterfly.
Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association