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Swimming the English channel and ... He awe mai |
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Mission: Mike and “Mac” Mackenzie, Father and 18 year old daughter, to successfully complete a swim from Dover England to a shoreline in France , wherever the tides take us. When:We’ll be in England 2 weeks before our escort boat is reserved, so we can get used to the cold water and be familiar with the conditions we'll be swimming in. Our "window of opportunity" happens between 8/23 - 8/31...whenever the tides are favorable. And that could mean 2am or 2pm. We'll rely on our vessel pilots. Ali Streeter also knows as "Queen of the Channel", with 43 recorded and verified swims across the English Channel, some of them, multiple crossings. Ali has purchased a 50 ft ocean going vessel, and recently pursued the "topside" of the crossings, actually escorting the swimmers, and we are very very fortunate that she will be escorting Mackenzie. Paul Foreman has years of experience escorting swimmers, and I look forward to his navigation skills.
Why: To raise funds and awareness, and overall support for two important organizations, Xterra foundation, a nonprofit foundation. This foundation, (see related links) provides needed resources for children with cleft palates, private school tuition for at risk kids, and supports athletes in their endeavor to aggressively compete in various athletic events while overcoming their own personal physical challenges. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund’s Vision is to build the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitor Center . As one of the most popular national parks in the country the newly rebuilt facility will honor the men and women who were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Sponsors:Mike and Mackenzie are very appreciative of the sponsor's that have assisted us throughout this journey. Tom Kiely, Xterra and all of Team Unlimited have provided gracious support and guidance. Bob Russell with xterra gear has made sure we have adequate travel and clothing needs in all kinds of environments. Donny with Arizona Memorial and Laurie with the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund have bent over backwards with PR and website creation and design. Last and not least, Betty and Cindy in Carlsbad CA have done so much to help us out. Support: Where do we start? Mackenzie and I have a strong faith, so "thanks God". Laura, and Kathryn put up with our wild schedule, and greet us as we finish our night swims, buy our CarboPro, and get everything needing done...done. My associates at UBS tell me to 'go away', letting me leave knowing they will get done what needs to be done. Given my line of work as a financial advisor, my clients have stood behind this endeavor, and for this, I owe them a debt of gratitude. I would also like to give a mahalo to all of our friends and family. I, now Mackenzie talking, would like to give out a huge thanks to my school, Le Jardin Academy. My Vice Principle, Head Master, Principle and teachers took time out of their summer to help me with getting my first three weeks of school work started. It really means a lot that they helped me with my work. I also would like to give a thanks to my friends. They all are wondering why the heck I am doing this, but they are still supportive in any way possible, and it really shows how lucky I am to have the friends that I do.
SUPPORTING EITHER/BOTH ORGANIZATIONS ENABLES ONE TO TOUCH LIVES BETWEEN 5 AND 95. Pearl Harbor: 1 Picture, 1 Swim, 3 Generations, xterra foundation and Not convinced yet? Here’s more:
To accomplish our objective, in the last 26 weeks, we have a cumulative open water swimming register of swims, totaling approximately 1,250 miles, or 2 million meters. For Hawaii residents, this is the equivalent of swimming from Hawaii HALF WAY to California . What Xterra Foundation is all about “To infuse hope and opportunity into underprivileged and ‘at risk’ youth. Xterra’s goal is to make the world a better place. Here is who we support: High School Scholarships for under privileged youth, here in Honolulu, and mainland. Central Asia Institute, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and The Smile Train, as noted in photo’s above. The reality is though, it is a minor issue in our lives, when one considers what the disadvantaged youth encounters without a meaningful education. Roadblock after roadblock they encounter, and we pretty much know how this story ends, without the benefits of a good education, kids at risk have a tendency to take the risks. Our training is minimal when we recognize how an amputee trains to run a marathon, compete in cycling, or swim in open water ocean events where the last part of a race is a ‘short run’ up the beach. Their dream is to compete and challenge themselves, not wait for someone to do something for them. These individuals need the support of those that can support them. Please see related links on a real, heartwarming foundation. The Everest of Open Water Swimming is how a swim across the English Channel is looked upon by the global community in their continuing endeavor to challenge oneself. We happen to believe swimming 21+ miles, in water temperatures between 61 and 64, is a “Walk in the Park” when we try to relate our challenge, to the challenges facing Pearl Harbor Survivors of today, and all the veteran’s of this historical event. While living, the honor that is bestowed on their fallen comrades, from “The Day of Infamy” must be cherished forever in their hearts, (Laurie Moore), and in the newly designed Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and …”The living will honor the fallen, and the Center will honor all living, and fallen in perpetuity. Hopefully you are now convinced: To offer a monetary gift via mail, please see the related links for the appropriate address. To offer a monetary gift via this secure website, click on the link of the appropriate charity(s) you wish to support. The total time required is approximately 10 minutes. We will be swimming between 10 and 15 hours, or ‘until we run out of sea” We do not have a fancy formula for the amount, such as so many dollars per mile, or so many dollars per hour. However, if you prefer to accept some guidance, here are some thoughts. 1 buck a mile rounds off to 20 bucks. Since we will swim at a rate of about 2 miles per hour, without currents or tides, this is the equivalent of 2 bucks per hour. |
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