Anchors aweighBamford accepts paddling challenges

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

SANTA BARBARA ISLAND, Calif. -- For 24 hours November 3, New Ulm native Linda Bamford meant to be afloat in the Pacific Ocean, but not without reason.

Bamford, who grew up in New Ulm but resides in Channel Island, Calif., paddled a kayak to escort swimmers on a relay from Santa Barbara Island to the Southern California Coast. The trip, which began with uncomfortable four to five-foot seas in 10-12 knot winds, ended in 18-22 knot winds.

Despite difficulty in steering and being able to balance on deck, Bamford was hauled on deck and her kayak was hoisted onto the 63-foot escort boat.

The first swimmer went 4.3 miles in the first hour, but with three of the swimmers in the relay seasick and darkness approaching, the organizer called the swim dangerous.

On Oct. 6, she paddled 20 nautical miles across the Catalina Channel on a similar, yet less dramatic, trip in an unsuccessful attempt to break the Catalina Channel swim record.

The swim across the Catalina Channel lasted 10 hours, 19 minutes, of which Bamford spent the first 3.5 hours and the last 4.5 hours as the primary escort kayaker. The relay from Santa Barbara Island to the mainland was planned to be 20 to 24 hours depending on ocean currents and sea conditions.

"It's definitely a spectacular thing to be involved in," Bamford said. Bamford is the daughter of Leo and Lorraine Weier of New Ulm. "One of the boaters, the fastest swimmer in the 35-40 age group, said no way would he attempt the channel -- it's a tough, tough swim."

On long ocean swims, kayakers accompany the swimmer as an escort to navigate and provide support such as giving the swimmer fluids, ibuprofen and watching timing and mileage markers, but never touching the swimmer. One slip-up and the swimmer's feat is negated.

"The interesting thing is that the biggest challenge for the kayaker is that they are more busy mentally than physically," Bamford said. "There are more things to think about -- you're so mentally engaged."

Every time the kayaker signals is time off the paddle. In order for the swimmer to see the signals, Bamford had to use a small light, which she sometimes kept in her teeth because she had to keep track of so many things.

At one point in the Catalina Channel crossing, the group had a close-call with a 250-ton freighter.

"We would have lost the whole swim if we would have lost the kayak," Bamford said.

As both a kayaker and swimmer, it was natural for Bamford to be included in the channel swims.

After 15 ears of extensive ocean cruising and other water-related activities, the 1971 graduate of New Ulm High School began being involved in competitive swimming two years ago.

Her inspiration was a 90 year-old lady named Luella Tyra who logged 975 yards in her one-hour swim.

"She was really my motivation," Bamford said. "If a 90 year-old lady can swim that far, by God, I can."

Three years ago, Bamford began to build herself up to compete, joining the United States Masters Swimming (www. usms.org), which has competitors all over the world in long distance and ocean competitions setting domestic or international records within an age group. Some of the competitions can be done through postal swims in which a swimmer swims at an approved facility, such as the Mankato YMCA, and has the distance approved by an official counter and mails the result in. There are also organizations that hold swim meets.

Recently, Bamford took second in a nationwide challenge in the 50-54 age group by swimming 153 miles during February 2004. She has also placed in international competitions.

Jen Seavey can be reached at sports@nujournal.com