I Really Do Hate Walls – A Tribute to Openwater Swimming
By William “Billy” Bond
Over the years I’ve learned to hate walls. Not the kind I normally walk into, but the ones that are at the end of the
pool. The ones where you need to flip, push off, and go back the other way. Back and forth, back and forth; the
endless drudgery. Which is why I love openwater swimming. You pick a point, a distance and just go! I know it’s
an acquired taste – but I love it.
At the beginning of every year I try pick one or two big races to train for – this year the second was one I had never
heard of- To The Bridge and Back which touted to be a five mile course on the James River (2.5 miles upstream,
and then 2.5 glorious miles downstream) in water that they predicted to be 65◦ to 75. Because it was an inaugural
race, there really wasn’t much information available – but I took the chance and registered anyway. Mighty glad I
did as it turned out to be a great race.
Going into the race the only thing I was worried about was the water temperature – it was the time of year when
the weather plays all those silly tricks: is it going to be hot or is it going to be cold? Mother Nature could not make
up her mind.
I arrived in Richmond a couple of days early, so on Thursday I wanted to go check out the course and see if I really
needed to wear that danged wetsuit. The water was about 68 degrees, crystal clear, and very little current.
Absolutely doable without the confines of polypropylene. Unless it got cold again. Unless it rained. On Thursday
night and Friday morning it did both.
Weather predictions for Saturday were to be back in the 70s, but the water temperature was going to be about 60
so the race organizers in their infinite wisdom made the race wetsuit legal. Thank you!
On race day, we arrived to the park before sunrise and because it was the first time the race was held, I was
anticipating an unorganized chaotic scene. I was pleasantly surprised to find one of the best organized openwater
races I’ve ever been to. All of the volunteers knew what their roles were and why, the support boats were all lined
up according to race number and starting waves and everything went exactly on time.
Plus, the setting was gorgeous! We were only about five miles upstream from the bustling downtown Richmond,
but it seemed like worlds away. The starting line was in a park, and instead of being lined with miles of river-front
housing all you could see were woods in either direction. And, since the air temperature was all of 40 degrees
there was a beautiful mist emanating from the water. Blend that with the sunrise – it was perfect.
The starting waves were seeded according to mile times and of course I submitted a best-guestimate. Therefore I
had been relegated to the second wave (ten swimmers per wave). A bit disappointed, but it got me riled up
enough to give me some added I’m-going-to-prove-them-wrong drive.
The course had us starting at the pier, swim across the river, take a left and swim on for 2.5 miles, turnaround and
come all the way back. Every quarter mile was marked with a yellow buoy, every mile with a small orange one,
and the WWII Veterans Memorial Bridge was the turnaround spot.
The first half of the race was perfect; I took off way ahead of everyone in my pack, caught up with my support boat
(my lovely niece) and paddled on admiring at how clear the water was and how little current I was fighting to get
upstream. I got into my rhythm and found the next pack settling in with three other people — but not too close.
(Although I love being in a race, I hate the feeling that I’m actually in a race.)
At the turn around point I realized that since there is no current pushing at me going up, then there isn’t going to
be anything pushing me back either. I was going to have to swim the rest of the way and not rely on the current.
Oops. Plus, the sun was in the perfect position so that you couldn’t see anything in front of you. Thank goodness
for the support boat (Dragging? Me? Never!) to guide me along. And for some reason, on the way back I began
getting cold — my feet, hands and face were all chilled to the point that it was a constant stinging pain. But – it
was still beautiful, it was still fun, so I kept plodding along.
At the finish line there was a crowd of people cheering finishers on through the chute, including my beautiful
nieces and nephews. It was fantastic! Plus – there was a hot-tub with my name on it! A real hot tub! Nothing
better. Oh, except maybe for the full catered breakfast. Or – the free beer (a bit early, but hell we swam a bit of a
ways). All in all it was a great day and a great race — hopefully I can do it again next year.
(by the way I finished in 1:56, sixth overall, second in my age group.)