If you’re lucky, really really lucky, you can create something during your lifetime that impacts others in a positive way. I started SwimVacation with the idea that people would like to combine some time off from their regular lives with doing something they are passionate about, or at least makes them feel good, something that feeds them. I wasn’t sure it would actually work, but with the help of many people, it has worked. I’ll list them, in no particular order except for Heather who has to be listed first because. Frequent guests are not listed, you know who you are and we love you.

Heather Perry

Richard Rome

Lisa Dixon

Zack Roland

Kerry Hucul

Hodding Carter

Bazza Cooper

Cortney Linville

Tim Fitzpatrick

Clare Bobo

Dan Bobo

Ryan McGuckin

Kekau Kealoha

Will Thomas

Albert Penn

Iris Penn

John Stevens

Felix Scotland

Carter Thomas

Brent Pumple

Simeon Korfanti

Captain Lyla

Dave Barra

Simon Wignall

Alina Perez

Miriam Molinet

Momi Kahele

Mike Sloan

Richard Weafer

Jason Buchheim

Ali Stevenson

Jay Eckert

Chad Blake

Erica Denise

Abigail Adderley

Ace Ventura (The Man with the Van)

Rina Mills

These are all people who have worked hard for little pay, slept in cramped quarters, swam endless miles, suffered sea lice stings, drove us for miles over bumpy roads, cooked hundreds of meals while underway, took a billion photos, edited a thousand more, suffered hangovers, piloted stupidly big catamarans into tiny slips, scrubbed toilets, shopped in developing-world grocery stores, got cried on, offered solid advice, chased wayward swimmers, missed flights, danced on bars, poured gallons of chardonnay, got and stayed soaking wet for days, got yelled at, unclogged plumbing, dodged flames, suffered seasickness, visited Caribbean dumpsters in the heat, drank too much with the guests, suffered sunburn, slept in airports, caught heck from spouses.

If I missed anyone, my deepest apologies. Text or call me at (207) 975-5489 and we can re-connect.

*Morning swim was through the granitic boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda.*

Today’s planning was really complicated. We had to take into account our need to fuel up, swim twice, locate ourselves in proximity to Scrub Island where we need to return the yacht tomorrow night, and eat 3 meals. It took several meetings with Capn’ Richie, Ali, Heather, and John, but we finally made a solid plan.

We moved first thing and hit The Baths for a fun swim around the boulders. Surrender is the theme here, as we let the water carry us between rocks as fish darted beneath us. A squad of tarpon greeted us beneath the boat on our return.

From there we went up to Leverick Bay for fuel, lunch, and provisions. It was hot and dry and a few guests just couldn’t stay out of the water as we anchored in the middle of nowhere. Then back around Richard Branson’s Mosquito Island to Mountain Point, Virgin Gorda for our evening swim.

We rounded the rocky corner to check out the Moon Pool which was not doable in the swell. Instead we followed the wall and entered a narrow passage that gave us a wild ride on the waves squeezed between its walls.

Back neat the yacht, Heather took some great swimmer portraits in the fading light (to be shared on tomorrow’s blog!).

Pimms cocktails chased the salt from our mouths. Shrimp Scampi with Gnocchi for dinner was scrumptious. Ice cream and cookies for dessert. Skinny dippers watched the stars above and the bioluminescence below. Magical. Zzzzzzzz.

Hopper

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