Over 200 Swimmers Take Part in Hudson River Swim

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – The Hudson River is an iconic, area landmark whose beauty in unmatched, breadth of impact is expansive, and individual connection often holds symbolic, transformative magic.

All that deeply embraced authenticity was on full display Saturday afternoon, as over 200 swimmers took part in the 20th Annual Hudson River Swim. Eagerly awaiting the ideal current time, multiple waves of excited swimmers embarked on their challenging mile journeys, beginning just after 1:00pm, across the River at 70 Front Street’s Unico Park in the City of Newburgh. Guided by around 100 kayaker escorts as well as the watchful eyes of marine units from Dutchess and Orange County Sheriff offices, the eclectic ensemble of joyful swimmers headed to their Beacon shoreline destination, nearby to the Rainbow River Floating Pool, a dream vision of Pete and Toshi Seeger and the recipient of the funds raised by the Swim. For so many involved, the swim transcended sport.

“I love the beauty of the Hudson Valley and that we can enjoy the views from so many vantage points; there’s no view that’s better than when I’m swimming across the River and can see its banks, the Bridge and the mountains in the distance,” said Marie Cole, a resident of the Hudson Valley for 40 years as well as 19 year participant in the deeply personal and meaningful Swim for the cancer survivor who has been swimming since she was a young child. “I appreciate the challenge of swimming across the River that flows both ways and that Pete Seeger, Clearwater, the River Pool and others have done to advocate for, clean and maintain the River for our enjoyment.”

That concerted effort to clean up the Hudson, spread awareness of its beauty, and for all people to appreciate its multiple offerings-including swimming- lies at the epicenter of the Annual Swim celebration. This year’s event had a special added piece: It was dedicated to the New York State Initiative- NY SWIMS- from Governor Kathy Hochul in January, a statewide investment in more swimming. It’s a mission that the event’s leaders, the 501(c)(3) Greater Newburgh-Beacon Hudson River Swim, have witnessed huge success with as more than 1500 visitors have frequented the 2007 installed and 2023 refurbished Floating River Pool. The group has also diligently pursued educating people on keeping the River clean, stewardship, and accessibility of the River for all people, priceless pieces stressed to swimmers before they began their mile treks Saturday.

“We learned about how important it is to make swimming available to people of all levels and backgrounds and not just for those privileged enough to afford it, and that is why this is a fundraising event, so that the pool can be open to all residents,” said another swimmer, Tara Cioppa, who was swimming with a heavy heart, in memory of her close friend, Army Sergeant, Nicholas Shane Faust, whose body was found in the River six weeks ago.

“We (Cioppa, along with Jeff Steindorf and Kayla Vacanti) wanted to use this opportunity to celebrate his life, and swim the River, a place of his final resting place.” explained first time event participant, Cioppa, whose crowd tribute included signs bearing her friend’s image- memory. “This event was filled with positive vibes, music and festivities to keep the swimmers busy while they awaited the correct tide time; it was also so good to see so many people donate their time as volunteers to support the swimmers of all levels and backgrounds across the water with a challenging crosscurrent, and seeing so many people come out and support us as well as just enjoy this beautiful River made this day so special and memorable.”

To learn more about this important and fun annual swim as well as the River Pool at Beacon, log onto: https://www.riverpool.org