Does anyone have a dry towel? Anyone with an offbeat sleep schedule who passed by the pool at Founders Park at 2 a.m. on Dec. 11 might have seen the lights reflecting on the water and heard this question.
Four solo swimmers took to the water on the morning of Dec. 10 with a very unusual goal — to swim one mile every hour for 24 hours to raise awareness for Alligator Lighthouse’s restoration. Known as the 24 in 24 Endurance Swim Challenge, they jumped into the pool and swam 1,600 meters at the top of every hour. The time left in that hour after they completed a mile served as down time before jumping in the pool and swimming the next mile. Two teams of swimmers joined in to swim the total mileage piece by piece throughout the day and into the night.
Solo swimmers who each accomplished the 24 miles were Charlotte Brynn, Elaine Howley and Paula Yankouskas — three of the most accomplished long-distance swimmers New England has to offer. And Islamorada’s Rob Dixon, a key player in acquiring Alligator Lighthouse, completed the challenge on his own. Though they had incredible swimming achievements under their belts, it was the first time the four swimmers ever took on such a challenge. They were prepared for their own mental, physical and emotional journeys during the 24-hour period.
The feats of the swimmers who each swam parts of the 24 miles were also noteworthy. Many of these swimmers swam farther than they thought possible. They were Beth Kaminstein, who swam 6-plus miles; Islamorada Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin, who swam 5-plus miles; Sue Sigal, who swam 5 miles; Otherside Boardsports Owner Mike Walsh, who swam 3 miles; Sativa Turner, who swam 3-plus miles; Suze Gardner, who swam 3 miles; David Jacobson, who swam 2 miles; and Brian Shea, who came from New Jersey, swam 3 miles.
Local teenagers Ellie Rudolph and Sofia Figueroa, ages 13 and 14 respectively, were the centerpieces to their team as they each swam 7 miles. Nicky Rudolph, Carolyn Wightman, Kat Wheatley, Allie Wheatley, Rob Stober, Anne Osgard and Andy Dutton also jumped into the pool to swim a few miles during the day and night. While a few swimmers were in the water each hour, it was a team effort as evidenced by the cheering and camaraderie throughout the 24 hours.
The swim challenge was the brainchild of Coach Jennifer Dutton, who is seen at the Ron Levy pool most days either swimming or talking about swimming. The money raised by this effort, donations and entry fees, benefits the Save Alligator Light through the Friends of the Pool organization. A total wasn’t tallied yet as donations poured in after the event.
“We would like to thank Maria Bagiotti and Anne Osgard of Founders Park for their support,” Dutton said. “The lifeguard staff, the beautiful pool and the coffee and pastries from Harbor Cafe in Tavernier were crucial to the efforts of the swimmers and the midnight spectators.”
In 2021, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior notified Friends of the Pool Inc. that it would be receiving Alligator Reef Lighthouse. To restore, preserve and maintain Alligator Lighthouse, the nonprofit is committed to raising $5 million by 2026. More information is at savealligatorlighthouse.org.
BY THE NUMBERS
22 swimmers
24 hours
147 miles total
75 swimsuits
2 teams
4 solo swimmers
