BRETT AUCLAIRE is pictured after completing her swim to Seguin Island Thursday, July 16.
A traditional swim that was postponed due to thick fog last Wednesday was successfully completed the following morning.
Brett Auclaire, a long distance swimmer from New Hampshire, swam to Seguin Island from Popham Beach early Thursday morning, a swim Auclaire has completed every 10 years since she was 32.
This was Auclaire’s third swim to the island in 20 years, which she completed in two-and-a-half hours.
Although she is no stranger to the challenges of open-water swimming, she said Thursday’s swim was “rougher than I anticipated.”
Not only did Auclaire have to swim against an ebb tide, she also faced a 10 knot wind and a two-three foot surf. She said swimming at an angle towards Boothbay was what helped her finish the swim.
She described the swim as a learning experience, and hopes to apply her knowledge towards future swims.
“I learned to appreciate the treachery of these waters,” Auclaire said. “I feel really much more educated about tides and currents.”
She was grateful to Ethan DeBery who guided her during her swim on his lobster boat on Thursday. Auclaire’s husband and friends were also on board, cheering Auclaire on.
And even without the additional presence of a kayaker to guide her, Auclaire was confident she would be able to complete the swim on her own, despite the struggles along the way.
“I was very pleased that I was able to swim against all this,” she said. “I made it.”
dkim@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
