Fourteen swimmers completed 5-mile Sandusky Bay course in honor of longtime teammate
Fourteen swimmers completed a 5-mile course on Sandusky Bay to celebrate the 80th birthday of longtime Wooster Masters Swimmer Chuck Malta.
Submitted
In the early morning hours of Aug. 30, 14 swimmers gathered at Lions Park on Sandusky Bay to celebrate the 80th birthday of Chuck Malta, one of the original members of the Wooster Masters Swimmers.
Accompanied by seven escort kayaks and two powerboats with their crews, the swimmers completed a 5-mile course that began and ended at Lions Park. YMCA lifeguard Brian Underwood volunteered to monitor the swim from one of the boats, with rescue equipment on hand. More than two dozen family members and friends also were there to cheer on the swimmers and support the event.
The original plan was for Malta and his daughter Halle Gallo-Malta to complete the 5-mile swim together. As plans developed, however, enthusiasm grew among members of the Wooster Masters Swimmers, and many decided they wanted to take part in honoring their longtime teammate.
Malta, Patrice Smith and Reg Kramer began participating in open-water swims more than 30 years ago. For some members of the group, however, the Sandusky Bay event was their first open-water swim.
The swimmers spent nine months preparing together during early-morning practices at the YMCA Natatorium, located at Wooster High School. During the summer they continued training at Freedlander Pool. The group is grateful to the YMCA of Wayne and Holmes and the city of Wooster for providing the facilities and lifeguards that make their early-morning swims possible.
One of the greatest uncertainties leading up to the event was Lake Erie’s unpredictable weather. On Aug. 30 the lake cooperated, providing calm water and ideal conditions for the swimmers and their support crews. A celebration followed the swim at the park’s North Pavilion.
“What a great way to celebrate swimming,” said Barth Smith, who organized the kayak support. “We had the perfect day with calm water and fantastic fellowship.”
Swimmer Jonathan Harvey described the event as the perfect climax to nine months of preparation, with a perfect day and great conditions for swimmers and support people.
“It was a real challenge,” swimmer Jeff Perkins said. “Chuck has been swimming these long-distance swims for over 30 years. We were so fortunate to have great support from all the swimmers’ families and friends who were not in the water.”