Ireland Wins the Boston Light Swim! (8/1/04)

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Congrats and thanks to our ace field reporter and oceanswimmer extraordinaire Bill Ireland!



The Boston Light Swim dates back to 1908 (or even to 1905 according to some accounts). There have been some changes. The swimmers used to doff their suits to reduce drag in those primitive pre-splishwear days. Sometimes the swim was to the Boston Light. And sometimes according to old copies of the Boston Globe, thousands of spectators lined the finish, and the mayor handed out the prize trophy.

As with much of Boston, history permeates the swim. It starts at the Boston Light, the oldest in the United States, and one that predates the United States. The race finishes at the L Street Baths, which were built in 1931, by Mayor Curley, who was also Governor and Senator and served time in jail while also holding those positions. The pre-race organization is at the Columbia Yacht Club, founded 1896. It's a fun trip back into history.

One bit of history that has been left behind is the water quality issues of the 70s and 80s. There is now a giant water treatment plant on Deer Island and the fish catch has been restored.

In 2004, the race started early on August 1 with the boats gathering in the early morning by Little Brewster Island-with the early morning sun and scattered clouds, it looked like the edge of the world with only water beyond. The race started with 11 individual racers and three relays with competitors from Australia, Vancouver, B.C., Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, California and Massachusets. The water at the start was 62 supposedly but felt colder and throughout the swim the temperature fluctuated. The currents, chop, wind and rain changed also.

The course of the race goes through the islands of Boston Harbor - which are numerous but do break the swim down into segments. The race swims towards and then continues on past Georges Island (home of Civil War fortifications) and Rainsford Island, passes under the Long Island Bridge, winds around Thompson Island, and finishes at the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston. Each leg has different conditions, and each island is different. Long Island looks primeval from the water. All the involved islands are part of the Boston Harbor National Park, and have been preserved from development or exploitation.

The race distance is a little uncertain. It used to be a 10 mile swim with the same course, but after MIT measured it as 8 1/2 miles, it is now advertised as 8 miles but the awards refer to it as an 8 to 10 mile swim.

Bill Ireland was the winner of the race after getting ahead during the choppy but current assisted start of the race, and holding off the field with some advantageous changes in conditions (smooth for him and choppier for the followers). By the time he passed Thompson Island for the last sprint across the bay to home, even though slowing, he was able to hold his lead. He was helped by his crew, KK Ireland.

Great event put on by John Werner, with help from Fred Knight, and others including the Columbia Yacht Club and the Boston Harbor Yacht Club. Fred Knight's account of the race(with more statistics although some are "estimates") are available .