Photos courtesy of Cimarron Anderson, S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge, Arizona.
“As a swimmer, I want to finish every swim I attempt,” describes Kent Nicholas. “The S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge is very difficult swim, with Mother Nature’s deck of cards dealing a different hand at every lake.”
The S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge is set in the rugged American southwest desert. It started out as an attempt by Nicholas at a long series of training swims. But S.C.A.R. is no longer a rogue swim under the radar. The secret is out among global open water swimmers who know all about the out-of-the-way, 4-day, 4-stage happening that focuses on camaraderie rather than competition, passion rather than pressure.
Swimmers annually discovered the joy and challenge of attempting a 64.3 km series of swims in Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake where flexibility and recovery play important elements just as do feeds and navigation. Set along four majestic reservoirs on the Salt River in the desert wild, Nicholas’ brainchild has become an international marathon swimming event that has blossomed out of the desert wilds.
“Apache Lake was at its toughest in 2017,” reported Nicholas. “Hands down, it was the toughest [this year]. Not in terms of water temperature, but definitely in terms of wind.”
Nicholas tells the history of swimming across the Apache. “In 2012, we didn’t track times but 2 finished and 6 did not. In 2013, 61-year-old Mo Siegel finished in 7 hours 36 minutes. In 2014, Apache had 15 finishers (all non-wetsuit) out of 22. Mo turns in an 11 hour 1 minute finishing time that was 3 hours off his previous year and he was in better shape. 68% finished. In 2015, we saw 28 finishers out of 38 swimmers for a 73% finisher rate. In 2016, there were 10 finishers out of 31 swimmers for a 32% finisher rate. In 2017, there were only 4 finishers out of 40 swimmers for a 10% finisher rate with the two-time SCAR champion, 36-year-old Stephen Rouch swimming Apache only 5 minutes faster than 61-year-old Mo’s 2013 time.“
Only four swimmers completed all four stages: Stephen Rouch in 16 hours 48 minutes, Abigail Fairman in 19 hours 14 minutes, Amy Gubser in 20 hours 17 minutes, and Matthew Schubert in 20 hours 21 minutes.
“In 2018, we anticipated a change in Apache Lake because the Apache breakfast is too unpredictable in its timing to rely on it for our biggest swim. It’s unnerving for the crew, the swimmers and myself. We are eliminating the Apache breakfast in order to increase the odds in favor of the swimmer. Let Mother Nature come at us, we’re ready.”
Overall Results
1. Stephen Rouch (Indiana, USA) 16 hours 48 minutes 49.3 seconds
*Saguaro Lake, 2nd overall in 3 hours 10 minutes 12.5 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 1st overall in 3 hours 14 minutes 12.8 seconds
*Apache Lake, 1st overall in 7 hours 31 minutes 14.9 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 4th overall in 2 hours 53 minutes 9 seconds
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2. Abigail Fairman (New York, USA) 19 hours 14 minutes 38.6 seconds
*Saguaro Lake, 15th overall in 3 hours 50 minutes 34.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 7th overall in 3 hours 42 minutes 19.6 seconds
*Apache Lake, 2nd overall in 8 hours 37 minutes 26.8 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 11the overall in 3 hours 4 minutes 17.3 seconds
3. Amy Gubser (California, USA) 20 hours 17 minutes 56.6 seconds
*Saguaro Lake, 23rd overall in 3 hours 58 minutes 17.0 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 22nd overall in 4 hours 5 minutes 17.2 seconds
*Apache Lake, 3rd overall in 9 hours 1 minute 33.8 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 18th overall in 3 hours 12 minutes 48.6 seconds
4. Matthew Schubert (California, USA) 20 hours 21 minutes 11.1 seconds
*Saguaro Lake, 21st overall in 3 hours 52 minutes 52.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 23rd overall in 4 hours 8 minutes 54.3 seconds
*Apache Lake, 4th overall in 9 hours 3 minutes 32.2 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 21st overall in 3 hours 15 minutes 52.0 seconds
Sandra Frimerman-Bergquist (Minnesota, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 1st overall in 3 hours 4 minutes 53.8 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 3rd overall in 3 hours 18 minutes 19.5 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 1st overall in 2 hours 27 minutes 53.8 seconds
Eliza Cummings (Colorado, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 3rd overall in 3 hours 20 minutes 58.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 4th overall in 3 hours 20 minutes 33.6 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 3rd overall in 2 hours 53 minutes 8.0 seconds
Stefan Reinke (Hawaii, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 6th overall in 3 hours 26 seconds 19.2 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 5th overall in 3 hours 32 minutes 16.6 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 2nd overall in 2 hours 51 minutes 51.8 seconds
Liz Uribe (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 5th overall in 3 hours 26 minutes 8.5 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 6th overall in 3 hours 34 minutes 28.0 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 5th overall in 2 hours 55 minutes 31.5 seconds
Steven Minaglia (Hawaii, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 8th overall in 3 hours 30 minutes 57.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 12th overall in 3 hours 44 minutes 14.9 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 8th overall in 2 hours 58 minutes 49.2 seconds
Emily Evans (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 4th overall in 3 hours 24 minutes 52.3 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 8th overall in 3 hours 43 minutes 3.3 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 14th overall in 3 hours 6 minutes 8.9 seconds
Mike Herrmann (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 9th overall in 3 hours 31 minutes 23.4 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 10th overall in 3 hours 43 minutes 50.5 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 9th overall in 3 hours 2 minutes 37.7 seconds
Mark Spratt (Indiana, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 11th overall in 3 hours 37 minutes 0.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 13th overall in 3 hours 44 minutes 37.8 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 10th overall in 3 hours 3 minutes 50.6 seconds
Daniela Klaz (Massachusetts, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 14th overall in 3 hours 47 minutes 58.1 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 9th overall in 3 hours 43 minutes 3.4 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 16th overall in 3 hours 9 minutes 44.9 seconds
Joseph Zemaitis (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 13th overall in 3 hours 41 minutes 5.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 17th overall in 3 hours 54 minutes 23.0 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 13th overall in 3 hours 5 minutes 55.9 seconds
Natalie Pummill (New York, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 17th overall in 3 hours 51 minutes 4.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 15th overall in 3 hours 48 minutes 54.4 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 12th overall in 3 hours 5 minutes 23.3 seconds
Anna Doubell (Australia)
*Saguaro Lake, 12th overall in 3 hours 39 minutes 54.0 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 16th overall in 3 hours 52 minutes 9.5 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 24th overall in 3 hours 23 minutes 40.0 seconds
Lisa Gentile (Utah, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 20th overall in 3 hours 52 minutes 2.4 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 18th overall in 4 hours 2 minutes 17.7 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 17th overall in 3 hours 10 minutes 34.2 seconds
Rebecca Nevitt (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 18th overall in 3 hours 51 minutes 13.7 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 20th overall in 4 hours 3 minutes 21.0 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 19th overall in 3 hours 14 minutes 56.1 seconds
Peter Hayden (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 16th overall in 3 hours 50 minutes 52.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 21st overall in 4 hours 4 minutes 29.5 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 22nd overall in 3 hours 16 minutes 15.3 seconds
Chris Greene (Georgia, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 24th overall in 3 hours 59 minutes 32.2 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 24th overall in 4 hours 10 minutes 30.0 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 20th overall in 3 hours 15 minutes 21.5 seconds
Patrick McDermot (New Hampshire, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 22nd overall in 3 hours 57 minutes 20.5 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 25th overall in 4 hours 11 minutes 19.1 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 25th overall in 3 hours 26 minutes 24.7 seconds
Wendy Van De Sompele (Washington, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 28th overall in 4 hours 13 minutes 43.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 27th overall in 4 hours 19 minutes 36.8 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 23rd overall in 3 hours 19 minutes 16.7 seconds
Elizabeth Almond (Georgia, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 27th overall in 4 hours 9 minutes 53.0 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 26th overall in 4 hours 19 minutes 11.1 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 26th overall in 3 hours 28 minutes 29.8 seconds
John Batchelder (Colorado, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 25th overall in 4 hours 2 minutes 6.8 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 30th overall in 4 hours 40 minutes 28.8 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 27th overall in 3 hours 33 minutes 50.7 seconds
Mark Sheridan (United Kingdom)
*Saguaro Lake, 29th overall in 4 hours 18 minutes 36.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 29th overall in 4 hours 35 minutes 46.3 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 28th overall in 3 hours 39 minutes 54.3 seconds
Sue Croft (United Kingdom)
*Saguaro Lake, 32nd overall in 5 hours 3 minutes 8.3 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 34th overall in 5 hours 35 minutes 27.1 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 29th overall in 4 hours 17 minutes 28.9 seconds
Meenakshi Pahuja (India)
*Saguaro Lake, 36th overall in 5 hours 30 minutes 47.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 35th overall in 5 hours 39 minutes 43.3 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 34th overall in 4 hours 39 minutes 42.4 seconds
Tiffany McQueen (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 35th overall in 5 hours 27 minutes 7.9 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 36th overall in 5 hours 50 minutes 33.6 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 31st overall in 4 hours 33 minutes 28.4 seconds
Ingrid Bon (Florida, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 39th overall in 5 hours 50 minutes 57.8 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 38th overall in 6 hours 1 minute 19.7 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 30th overall in 4 hours 29 minutes 48.3 seconds
Tom Linthicum (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 38th overall in 5 hours 42 minutes 58.0 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 39th overall in 6 hours 3 minutes 1.1 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 33rd overall in 4 hours 37 minutes 9.2 seconds
Samantha Kramer (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 10th overall in 3 hours 34 minutes 30.2 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 6th overall in 2 hours 58 minutes 8.5 seconds
Samantha Allen (Texas, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 7th overall in 3 hours 29 minutes 41.6 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 11th overall in 3 hours 44 minutes 6.2 seconds
Michael Pollanen (Canada)
*Saguaro Lake, 19th overall in 3 hours 51 minutes 24.3 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 19th overall in 4 hours 3 minutes 15.3 seconds
Amy Taylor (Arizona, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 26th overall in 4 hours 7 minutes 56.2 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 28th overall in 4 hours 30 minutes 31.0 seconds
Kate Howell (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 31st overall in 4 hours 55 minutes 43.2 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 32th overall in 5 hours 7 minutes 37.6 seconds
Jeffrey Breen (Virginia, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 30th overall in 4 hours 41 minutes 0.8 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 33rd overall in 5 hour 25 minutes 30.6 seconds
Mo Siegel (New York, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 34th overall in 5 hours 14 minutes 57.4 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 37th overall in 5 hours 57 minutes 30.0 seconds
Mitchel Schoenfeld (wetsuit, Washington, USA)
*Canyon Lake, 41st overall in 6 hours 40 minutes 39.1 seconds
*Roosevelt Lake, 35th overall in 4 hours 55 minutes 47.3 seconds
Cathy Harrington (California, USA)
*Saguaro Lake, 37th overall in 5 hours 35 minutes 23.2 seconds
*Canyon Lake, 40th overall in 6 hours 10 minutes 29.0 seconds
Scratchers Relay (relay, Arizona, USA)
*Roosevelt Lake, 7th overall in 2 hours 58 minutes 30.2 seconds
Hayley Gordon (Arizona, USA)
*Roosevelt Lake, 15th overall in 3 hours 8 minutes 59.0 seconds
Bill Daniell (Arizona, USA)
*Canyon Lake, 2nd overall in 3 hours 17 minutes 16.6 seconds
Kurt Adkins (Arizona, USA)
*Canyon Lake, 14th overall in 3 hours 46 minutes 22.6 seconds
Paula Yankauskas (Vermont, USA)
*Roosevelt Lake, 32nd overall in 4 hours 33 minutes 29.4 seconds
Gerald George (Arizona, USA)
*Canyon Lake, 31st in 5 hours 3 minutes 36.4 seconds
Luise Rasche (Switzerland)
*Saguaro Lake, 33rd overall in 5 hours 6 minutes 48.7 seconds
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