22nd Annual Freedom Swim Participants Cross the Peace River with Foam Noodles, Inflatable Rafts and Patriotic Colors, Charlotte Harbor, Fla., July 4, 2013
“Swim along the bridge!” Michael P. Haymans, co-founder of the Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim yelled out from the Gilchrist Bridge to patriotic swimmers in the Peace River. There was supposed to be a talk to swimmers somewhere around Noon before the start of the swim. As Michael explained, his uncle blew the bullhorn to get everyone’s attention to listen to instructions but a few thought it was the start of the swim and so they were off.
Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim Participant Shows Off Her American Spirit While Towing A Cooler, Punta Gorda, Fla., July 4, 2013
There are no registrations, no entry fees and no rules, with the exception of common sense. The Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim is an event full of patriotic fun and a little bit of silliness mixed with hometown pride. It’s an occasion to be, well, free in every sense of the term.
Hundreds of participants came armed with neon foam noodles, animal-shaped inflatable rafts and red, white and blue spirit. Several towed coolers behind while I saw others holding a canned adult beverage in one hand with the other hanging on to a noodle. The array of colors popping atop the tea-colored water (tannic acid from mangrove trees) is such a beautiful sight.
Swimmers Make their Way to Harpoon Harry’s at Fishermens’ Village, Punta Gorda, Fla, July 4, 2013
They swam, floated, paddled and bobbled more than 1.5 miles to Harpoon Harry’s at Fishermen’s Village where non-swimmers cheered each time a swimmer climbed up a wood ladder. There was also a young man doing back flips from the Harpoon Harry’s dock – see the photos below. I do not recommend you try this.
Swimmers Waiting the Beginning of the Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim, Charlotte Harbor, Fla., July 4, 2013
For additional photos from the Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim view my Flickr stream.
Freedom Swim Co-Founder Michael P. Haymans Speaks with Media about Bacteria Counts in the Water Prior to the Swim. July 4, 2013
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!
