A Tipster advised me:
You just have to interview this islander who swam around the island on City of Water Day!
Katerina Kyselica is the Roosevelt Island resident who participated in the East River Urban Swim around Roosevelt Island on Saturday July 25.
I asked Ms. Kyselica:
Do you have a few thoughts on what it’s like swimming in the East River and how long it took you to swim around Roosevelt Island? Where did you enter and leave the river
Ms Kyselica shared this video of her swimming past Roosevelt Island
and reported:
9 experienced open water swimmers, mostly marathon swimmers, boarded 2 boats at Skyport Marina at East River 23rd street. We arrived to the southern tip of RI {Roosevelt Island} around 6:40am. Weather was perfect, sun was coming out, little breeze only.
We jumped off the boats into the ER {East River} where kayakers were waiting. Each of us was swimming with a kayaker who was the guide and we had to follow. We swam out up the East Channel. Water was refreshing. No pollution from the heavy rains a few days before. Coast guards were guarding us, re-directing any boat traffic away. I swam at ease, gliding through the water and enjoying the views of RI. We were swimming with the current, although it was getting weaker as the tide was about to switch. The swim was timed so that we swim with the tidal current as much as possible. I definitely felt the push on the back, as soon as I passed the Lighthouse. In the West channel, the current kicked in and I felt I was flying.
The boats created swells, these larger waves, which makes swimming more challenging but also fun, allowing for some body surfing. The swim was 4.2miles long, and it took the fastest swimmers under 1h 40min. I finished 4th at 1:39.
It was a fabulous swim with panoramic views. But it is a challenging swim, and the organizers only accept experienced open water swimmers.
What surprised me after people learned about this swim is that most people think that the East River is still unswimmable because of pollution. Some ask about whether it stinks and whether I felt sick. So I’m glad to be part of this swimming community that goes in and swims in NYC waters and enjoyed it.
As a swimmer I love living in the middle of the East River. And now I even swam in it! Being surrounded by water brings peace to my mind.
Click here if you’re interested in future Urban Swim NYC waterway events.
Ms Kyselica is also a member of the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery and has an upcoming exhibition in September.
Move over Cosmo Kramer.
More video of the Urban Swim around Roosevelt Island from Ms Kyselica’s Instagam page.
UPDATE 9:30 PM – East River Keeper shares the view of Roosevelt Island Urban Swim from perch high above the East River.
I remember my uncle telling me and my brother that years ago they went diving off the docks at 69th Street and the FDR drive into the East River this was back in the 20-30’s.