Nearly 40 students, staff, faculty, and alumni braved ocean temperatures in the mid-50s to take part in the 2016 Bar Island Swim.
Though two weather delays kept turnout low, the hearty souls that took the plunge were rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment. Many more students showed up to help out with the Safety Team, filling out boats, kayaks, and Zodiaks as they followed the swimmers on their quarter-mile route. And even while these students largely steered clear of the water’s bitter temperature, several shivering Safety Team members claimed it “must be colder outside the water than in it.”
Allied Whale director and College of the Atlantic Stephen K. Katona Chair in Marine Sciences Sean Todd leads a crew of Safety Team members at the Bar Island Swim 2016.
After making their way from the Bar Island Sandbar, which lies between the Town of Bar Harbor and Bar Island in Acadia National Park, to the COA pier, swimmers expressed joy and relief. They were greeted with the wrap of a towel and offers of hot chocolate and warm peppermint tea. Not one professor, staff, or student seemed regretful to have taken the plunge, but most seemed excited having made it back to solid land.
Safety Team members with Wilderness First Aid (WFR), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications were at the ready in case of a crisis. After drying off, each swimmer was assessed for signs of hypothermia, each asked to say their full name and display finger dexterity.
Other Safety Team members watched for swimmers who might be struggling. At any point, swimmers could opt to exit the water and hop onto one of the vessels.
Wrapped in towels, students made their way to warm showers and dinner soon after the swim concluded. For some faculty, the Swim has become an annual tradition to welcome the new year. For many first year students, it is a rite of passage, and an important step in identifying themselves as part of the COA community.
College of the Atlantic students, faculty, and other participants wait for Bar Island Swim 2016 to commence. Two members of the Safety Team at College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 await the beginning of the event. Participants in College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 enter the water as the event kicks off. Two participants in Bar Island Swim 2016 make their way to the finish at the College of the Atlantic pier. Allied Whale director and College of the Atlantic Stephen K. Katona Chair in Marine Sciences Sean Todd leads a crew of Safety Team members at the Bar Island Swim 2016. A participant in College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 braves the waters at 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Two College of the Atlantic students share a laugh after completing the 2016 Bar Island Swim. Two College of the Atlantic students pause and wave during their participation in the 2016 Bar Island Swim. A participant in College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 returns to the COA pier while members of the Safety Team stand by with towels and hot chocolate. College of the Atlantic students rush off the COA pier to warm up after completing Bar Island Swim 2016. Members of the Safety team at College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 help make sure the event unfolds smoothly. A pair of College of the Atlantic students rejoice after completing the 2016 Bar Island Swim. A College of the Atlantic student helps himself to hot chocolate at Bar Island Swim 2016. Two Bar Island Swim 2016 participants hoist themselves out of the chilly ocean waters onto the College of the Atlantic pier. A participant in College of the Atlantic’s Bar Island Swim 2016 savors a cup of coffee while warming up after the event. A College of the Atlantic student endures waters at 59 degrees Fahrenheit at the 2016 Bar Island Swim. Participants in the 2016 Bar Island Swim at College of the Atlantic are greeted with warm towels and congratulations upon completing the event. A College of the Atlantic student grins in celebration of completing the 2016 Bar Island Swim.Bar Island Swim 2016
