Swimmers go distance

Team hits water for start of trip from Lake Champlain to Albany to raise money for autism support programs

By CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Staff writer, Albany Times Union

First published: Thursday, July 19, 2007

Six swimmers stroking their way from Lake Champlain to Albany expect a tougher trip this year than last -- not because the water is cooler, or because of the rain or their physical fitness.

"This year, we definitely know what it's going to be like. Last year, we had no idea," said Alison Heaphy, who is returning for the second annual Swim the Canal for Children's Mental Health to support programs for autism and related disorders.

"It will be more challenging because we know how hard it's going to be," Heaphy said.

Swimmers raised $6,000 last year and hope to collect even more this time. Their five-day, 110-mile journey began Wednesday and is scheduled to end Sunday at the Corning Preserve in Albany. The money they raise will be used to support services at the University at Albany's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and Four Winds Hospital in Saratoga. Wednesday's launch hit a snag when the group's support boat blew a water hose, taking hours in Whitehall Marina to replace. The delay forced a change in the plan to swim from Crown Point on Lake Champlain to Whitehall. By early afternoon, the swimmers were itching to get in the water, so they swam from Whitehall north to Chipmans Point, Vt.

The 110-mile trip will take one day more than last year, and the legs will be shorter to avoid swimming in the dark. The swimmers are in the water for 10 to 12 hours a day.

They take turns, with each swimming 30 minutes -- about a mile -- before getting into the support boat for a rest.

Jumping in and out of the water repeatedly can be tough, said Heaphy, who is communications manager at UAlbany's Center for Technology and Government.

"Each time, you have to get warmed up again. The first five minutes, you feel tired until you get going again," she said.

Last year, the swimmers bumped into logs, weeds and dead fish and navigated a section of the canal that had risen so high it was closed to boats after the swimmers passed through.

In preparation for the trip down the Champlain Canal and Hudson River, the volunteers trained several miles a day and got shots, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B and tetanus.

Organizer and swimmer Steven Kirk said he has no qualms about the water quality.

"The Hudson is really, really clean," Kirk said. "It's a beautiful river."

The swim is sponsored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Football League Alumni Association. Last year's proceeds were used to support programs for parents and siblings of children with autism and host a conference for medical professionals on autism and communication.

Many donations included a note from people saying they had family members with autism, Kirk said.

The money helps, said Kristin Christodulu, director of the autism center at UAlbany. Christodulu and staff from the center were on hand Wednesday to send off the swimmers.

"It certainly is a dedicated act because, right now, it's pouring," Christodulu said.

The swimmers should arrive at the Corning Preserve on Sunday around noon.

Cathleen F. Crowley can be reached at 454-5348, or by e-mail at ccrowley@timesunion.com.