As a college sprinter, Bonnie Schwartz never thought much about swimming long distances. Then in 2001 she was a last minute addition to a relay team for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, and watching the solo swimmers inspired her to trade short pool swims for long open water races. Bonnie started her new career with a bang, finishing MIMS the next year in 8:53. She had so much fun that not only did she become a regular fixture at NYC Swim events in 2003 and 2004, she even joined the team as our volunteer coordinator.


She wasn't able to make it to any NYC Swim swims in 2005 because she had a bigger challenge: training for the English Channel, which she crossed on July 13, 2005, in 13:28. As she describes it:


The swim was long and grueling. The water was about 60°F, and the air was much colder. When I looked at the boat I saw all my crew — who were absolutely amazing — in hats and coats and wearing the blankets I'd brought for after the swim! I tore my left shoulder about 8 hours into it, but I kept going because at that point there was no way I was going to get out, and slowing down was just going to prolong my time in the water! It was the most amazing feeling to crawl up onto the beach in France, though the few sunbathers where I landed in Calais seemed oddly unfazed by my arrival. I'm still overwhelmed by the experience!:


Bonnie is also a proud South End Rowing Club member!: