News Archive

Alumna Attempts Swim of NY Finger Lakes

Published July 08, 2015

Alumna Bridgette Hobart Janeczko has been nominated for Woman of the Year by the World Open Water Swimming Organization! We're asking the Nazareth community to show their support by voting for her by Dec. 31! http://bit.ly/1XEd2OF

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Owasco Lake on Saturday, September 26 in 5 hours and 57 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Otisco Lake on Friday, September 25 in 2 hours and 56 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Conesus Lake on Saturday, September 19 in 3 hours and 46 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Honeoye Lake on Friday, September 18 in 2 hours and 2 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Seneca Lake on Saturday, August 29 in 24 hours and 33 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Cayuga Lake on Fri-Saturday, August 7-8 in 20 hours and 33 minutes. Read details about her swim here

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Skaneateles Lake on Sunday, July 26 in 7 hours and 27 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Keuka Lake on Sunday, July 19 in 9 hours and 7 minutes.

*Update: Hobart completed her swim of Canandaigua Lake on Saturday, July 11 in 7 hours and 38 minutes.

Details of Seneca Lake swim:
When: August 28-30
Where: Seneca Lake
Length of Lake: 37.9 miles
Approx. swim time: 20-24 hours

You can follow her progress on the Nazareth College Finger Lakes Challenge Facebook page.

Bridgette Hobart Janeczko '84, one of the best open water swimmers in the world, is attempting to be the first documented person to swim the length of the five major and four swimmable minor (DEC regulations prohibit public use of Hemlock and Canadice lakes) New York Finger Lakes starting with Canandaigua Lake Saturday, July 11, 2015.

Hobart is calling her Finger Lakes attempt the Nazareth College Finger Lakes Challenge because her goal is to promote the College's new York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute.

"Over the years I’ve watched my Mom recover from four joint replacements, my brother from one joint replacement, and my Dad most recently from a stroke," said Hobart. "I saw first-hand the importance of rehabilitation for regaining quality of life."

In September 2014, Hobart became the 102nd person to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming when she swam the English Channel in 13 hours and 28 minutes.

Hobart adds, "I’m blessed with good health and physical fitness to do these swim challenges especially at my age (52), so I want to challenge myself while I can and enjoy every moment. I hope to inspire others to challenge themselves in whatever they have a passion for, and to live the best quality life they can."

Details of initial swim:
When: Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 6 a.m. (weather date is July 12)
Where: Canandaigua Lake (start at Woodville end and finish at the Kershaw Park end)
Length of Lake: 15.5 miles
Approx. swim time: 9-9.5 hours

Future swim plan:

Keuka (July 19)

Skaneateles (July 26)

Cayuga (Aug 7-8)

Seneca (August 28 - 30)

Honeoye (September 18)

Conesus (September 19)

Otisco (September 25)

Owasco (September 26)

 

For More Information

Alicia Nestle 585-389-2457

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