Ocean Games Event Grows To 249 Participants In 2nd Year

Ocean Games Event Grows To 249 Participants In 2nd Year
08 01 Color Page 75 WEB

OCEAN CITY — Swim Ocean City returned for its second year on Saturday, July 19, attracting over 249 race participants.

An officially sanctioned World of Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) event, Swim Ocean City – comprised of a series of 1, 3, and 9-mile ocean races — was accompanied by the debut of the East Coast SUP CUP paddleboard event, hosted by local company Walk on Water. Both events combined to form the Ocean Games, whose mission is two-fold: to provide the “ultimate ocean experience for novice and elite athletes alike” and to raise funds for the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation Program (ONRP).

The East Coast SUP CUP event got the Ocean Games off to a good start. The only ocean paddleboard race of its kind in

Competitors are shown during the East Coast SUP CUP event in Ocean City earlier this month. Photo by Walk On Water

Competitors are shown during the East Coast SUP CUP event in Ocean City earlier this month. Photo by Walk On Water

Maryland, the SUP CUP featured a four-mile elite sprint style course and two-mile open course. Over 60 paddle boarders from across the region participated, supported by industry sponsors such as Evolve Paddleboards, and Goal Endurance, as well as K-Coast and Quiet Storm surf shops.

After the paddleboard events were completed, it was the swimmers’ turn.  Over 180 swimmers of all ages and levels participated in the races. Ensuring the participants’ safety was the Ocean City Beach Patrol, whose watchful eyes provided a much-needed sense of security given the difficult conditions. In addition to mandatory safety meetings for swimmers prior to the races, OCBP surf rescue technicians were in the water and on the beach to protect the swimmers. Volunteers from the Ocean City Running Club walked along the shore to ensure additional security and provide support to swimmers if they needed to drop out of the race, and medical attendants were on hand at the finish line.

Although ocean conditions were rough, and the day was overcast, organizers, participants, supporters and sponsors alike spent an enjoyable day together, racing for a great cause.  Headline sponsor Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley joined with more than 40 additional businesses and organizations to support the event.

During the course of the day, the race site featured live entertainment from local bands Elevation Zero and Blake Haley, along with MC Kip and Joe Mama who MC’d and DJ’d the event. Hydration support for all swimmers before and after their races was provided by Walgreens of Bethany Beach and Food Lion of West Ocean City, while Chick-Fil-A and Smoker’s BBQ of West Ocean City provided food. Transportation for the swimmers to the staggered starting sites north of the main site was provided by Hoopers’ Crab House, Frontier Town and Chesapeake Martial Arts.

After the races concluded, awards ceremonies were held for the top finishers. The fun continued even after the day’s events were over with a special post-race party in a private room at Seacrets, featuring live music, more food, drinks and door prizes.

Although providing participants with a rewarding ocean experience is one of the primary missions of the Ocean Games, it is not the only goal. When a motorcycle accident in 2007 left founder and race director Corey Davis with a traumatic brain injury, rendering him unable to walk, the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation Program (ONRP) became his only hope.

After six months of treatment, his determination and the efforts of the ONRP allowed Davis to stand on his own two feet again. To give back to the program that helped him return to his previously active lifestyle, Davis conceived the idea of a swimming event to be held in his native Ocean City, which would simultaneously raise funds for the ONRP, increase awareness of brain injuries and recovery and promote the positive effects that sports have on the brain and the body.

08-01 Color-Page 78 WEBSwim Ocean City’s debut in 2013 resulted in the participation of over 160 swimmers and raised $10,000 for Johns Hopkins Hospital. Now, in 2014, the event has grown and evolved, with hopes to continue this development in future years.

For the record, in the men’s nine-mile non-wetsuit swim, John Royer of New York, N.Y. was first, Thomas Bell of Wyomissing, Pa. was second and Matthew Durante of Bel Air, Md. was third. In the women’s nine-mile non-wetsuit swim, Annette Holmgren of Brandywine, Md. was first, Lisa Hertz of St. Petersburg, Fla. was second and Anita Hartsock of Hyattsville was third.

In the men’s nine-mile-wetsuit swim, Robert Phiambolis of Sellersville, Pa. was first, Jonathan Shinnick of Baltimore was second and local David Speier of Bishopville was third. Tara Rasmussen of Nottingham, Md. was the top female finisher in the nine-mile wetsuit swim.

In the men’s three-mile swim, no wetsuit category, Peter Galan of Baltimore was first, Christopher Stevens of Annapolis was second and Grady Hough of Reston, Va. was third. In the women’s three-mile, non-wetsuit race, Holly Donnelly of Kensington, Md. took first, Pat Pallotta of Crofton was second and Cayln Williams of Philadelphia was third.

In the men’s three-mile wetsuit swim, Michael Wisecup of Falls Church, Va. was first, J.D. Hogsten of Dover was second, and Miguel Ferrer of Nottingham, Md. was third. In the women’s three-mile wetsuit swim, Gabrielle Redford of Annapolis was first, Olivia Malloy of New York, N.Y. was second and Tracey Wells of Severna Park was third.

In the men’s one-mile swim, no wetsuit category, Brian McAteer of Washington, D.C. took first, Denis Crean also of Washington took second and David Castro of Dover took third. In the women’s one-mile swim, no wetsuit category, Alexis Coon of Camden, Del. took first, Terry DuPont of Easton took second and Juliana Galan of St. Michael’s took third.

In the men’s one-mile swim-wetsuit category, Ken Pakula of Alexandria, Va. took first, Tom Sibson of Merion, Pa. took second and Michael Gamazaychickov of Ellicott City took third. In the women’s one-mile swim-wetsuit category, Margaret Bentley of Centerville, Va. took first, followed by Laurelyn Rawson, also of Centerville, and Sarah Mandes of Arlington, Va.

In the men’s elite SUP race for 14-foot boards, Steven O’Boyle was first, Brian Meyer was second and Emerson Smith was third. In the men’s elite SUP race for a 12.6-foot board, Mark Nelson was first, Quintin Chiapperino was second and Tim Burke was third. In the men’s elite SUP race for boards under 12.5-feet, Neil MacIndoe was first, Luke Hevner was second and Kevin Owens was third. In the women’s elite SUP race for 12.6-foot boards, April Zilg was first, local Corrine Banks was second and Kathy Summers was third. Rachael Novak was the top female finisher in the SUP under-12.5-foot board race.

In the men’s open SUP race for 14-foot boards, Jeff Quillin was first, Eric Moser was second and Mariano Daguiar was third. The top three finishers in the men’s open SUP race for 12.6-foot boards were Trevor Raithby, Jeff Cook, and Matt Ellis. In the open SUP race for boards less than 12.5-feet, Chad Rogers was first, Brian Muller was second and Richard Pinero was third. In the women’s open SUP race for board 12.6-feet, Lisa Long took first, Jessica Morgan took second and Jessie Benson was third. In the women’s open SUP race for boards under 12.5-feet, Kale Grove was first, Nancy Wallace was second and Cass Bosco was third.