Dangerous Igor Waves Couldn't Keep Swimmers from Open Water Challenge

Big swells and dangerous rip currents from Hurricane Igor hundreds of miles off shore shut down Second Beach to the annual one-mile benefit swim challenge on Saturday but did not dampen the spirits of 200 competitors who relocated the event to  safer harbor on Sachuest Point.

The Newport-based Tuesday Night Athletic Foundation instead held its third annual 1.5-kilometer Open Water Challenge at Third Beach, located at the opposite northern end of the Sachuest Point peninsula on the Sakonnet River side, which provides natural shelter from waves and wind.

"It will be very calm and a much less daunting course," organizers told competitiors in announcing the change prior to Saturday's competition.

The event was held to benefit local youth sports, luring swimmers from all over Rhode Island to Sachuest Point. Swimmers covered the 1,500 meter swims in three 500-meter legs off the beach.

South County YMCA Master's Coach Fred Bartlett took 1st Place in the Men's Master Swimmer's category, finishing at 26:20.  After claiming the top spot, Bartlett graciously cheered on fellow swimmers who had not yet finished.

"There are different conditions every time you go out, embrace the open water, navigation versus speed," said Bartlett, also a long time Save the Bay swimmer.  "There are no black lines, you have to take in account natural factors that you wouldn't in a pool."

Michael "JJ" Richards and Matt Emmert, both local swim coaches, reportedly founded the Tuesday Night Athletic Foundation when they saw a need in the community to help relieve the financial pressures put on many families whose children participate in high performance sports.

Through events including the Open Swim Challenge, a Winter Gala in Newport and a Monster 5-K foot race in Bristol, along with other fundraising activities and local and corporate sponsorships, the Tuesday Night Athletic Foundation raises funds that provide scholarships and other financial assistance that helps young local athletes pursue their dreams and higher education. Last year, the Open Water Challenge raised about $5,000 and, since its founding in 2006, the group has reportedly donated $10,000 to local atheletes, according to organizers.

• Female Masters Division: Shawn Connell, 1st Place finisher, 29:14
• New England Men's Division: Drew Ledwith, 1st Place, 21:18.
• New England Women's Division: Stephanie Nasson, 1st Place, 29:12
• Men's Under 18 Division: Alex Swaim, 1st place, 27:48
• Women's Under 18: Latelyn Mitchell, 1st place, 30:20.
• College Men's Division: Eric Burtchell,  1st Place, 28:35
• College Women's Division: Caroline Caliri, 1st place, 27:27