Courtesy of Julia Galan
The 3rd Annual Ocean Games kicked off on Saturday, July 18th, 2015 along the shores of the family-friendly resort town of Ocean City, Maryland. From the 1, 3 and 9-mile ocean swims to the East Coast SUP CUP paddleboard races, the Ocean Games is continuing its transformation from a local swim into one of the East Coast’s premier open water events.
Ocean Games (courtesy of Christina Ager)
Conducted in cooperation with the Town of Ocean City, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, and the United States Coast Guard, the Ocean Games mission is simultaneously simple and profound: to provide the ultimate open water experience for athletes of all levels while raising funds and awareness for traumatic brain injuries. A portion of the proceeds raised from the event go directly to the Johns Hopkins Brain and Stroke Rehabilitation Program, led by psychologist Dr. Kate Bechtold, who also serves as associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Ocean Games (courtesy of Julia Galan / SwimSpire.com)
While many athletic events rally behind a specific charity or cause, it is rarer to see an event founded and directed by an individual who benefited first-hand from that cause. Ocean Games race director Corey Davis is one of these individuals. After suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2007, Davis became a patient at the Hopkins Brain and Stroke Rehab Program, whose team of doctors helped him leave his wheelchair behind and return to an active lifestyle, participating in events such as the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. “Dr. Bechtold and the Hopkins Program essentially helped me return to life. I started the Ocean Games to give back to the Program that helped me so much,” Davis explained.
In total, the Ocean Games raised over $49,000 since 2013, $13,000 of which has been donated directly to the Brain and Stroke Rehab Program, and the team hopes that this amount will only continue to grow. Adds race manager Jenny Lind, “I’m inspired by Corey’s story and every year I gain additional inspiration from the race participants themselves. The Ocean Games is a reminder that, in life, we all have to put in hard work, pain and dedication in order to grow and achieve individual goals, and additionally we have to enjoy the process along the way.”
Adds Dr. Bechtold,
“…to watch Corey, the volunteers, the athletes, and the spectators so engaged and dedicated was incredible. Corey has taken one of the primary drivers for brain health – staying actively engaged in life – and made it into an event that everyone can benefit from. His drive, commitment, and passion are an inspiration for us all. All of his efforts over the years have brought increased attention to brain injury and the research that needs to happen for us to truly help those affected. His donations have afforded the Brain and Stroke Rehabilitation Program the resources to fund research, expand educational opportunities for our clinicians, and purchase needed equipment.”
The 2015 Ocean Games event was as unique in its participation as it was professional in its organization. Just under 200 racers registered for the swim and paddleboard events, hailing from across the United States. In addition to the Maryland-DC-Virginia area, participants traveled to Ocean City from California, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The event attracted a wide variety of athletes, from novices to elites, embracing the spirit of inclusiveness that makes the Ocean Games unique.
For Jim Libertini, the Ocean Games was an opportunity to plunge into the world of competitive open water swimming. “This was my first time participating in an organized activity. I was very much impressed with the planning, organization and attention to detail at the event. From my point of view, everything was flawless, and the overall enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers was enjoyable. Being surrounded by very serious athletes and competitors has encouraged me to pick up my game in staying fit and active for next year’s extravaganza.”
Professional marathon swimmer John Humenik won the 9-mile swim this year in his first appearance at the Ocean Games. He writes:
“I was very happy to participate in the 2015 Ocean Games. Events like the Ocean Games, which offer both swim and paddleboard races, are popular on the west coast but are rare on the Atlantic side. One of the best aspects of this event is that is brings together people who love and respect the ocean, in the spirit of competition, sportsmanship and charity.
Another amazing aspect is how well-supported Ocean Games is, with friendly and supportive volunteers and event staff. Open-water swim races longer than 5K are not very common. Ocean Games offers a 9-mile event. Not only does this showcase the length of the beautiful Ocean City shoreline but it also provides those of us who are more endurance-oriented with a challenging event. The biggest concern to everyone involved in an event of this magnitude is safety. Listening to the safety briefing given by the ocean patrol and race organizers I knew I would be taken care of and watched over. Through the contingency plans and safety rules in place, I knew I would be comfortable come swim time. Nine miles is a long stretch to patrol but Ocean Games had land and water oversight along the entire course.
Ocean Games (courtesy of Nick Denny Photography)
The swim itself was wonderful and I had a great experience. The decision was made early on race day to swim the course from south to north. This provided a good push from the wind and current, making for a fast swim. I was surprised to see the 3-mile buoy before the first hour had passed. The course was well marked even though the 9-mile swimmers had the benefit of escort kayakers. My kayaker was amazing. She did an excellent job keeping me on a straight course in the choppy ocean and provided much encouragement. I’m hoping she lives up to her word and enters the 9-mile swim herself next year. I think she’ll do great!”
The racers themselves weren’t the only ones to support the Ocean Games cause. Sponsors from over 30 businesses, including Atlantic/Smith Cropper Deeley, Walk on Water, Rottman Creative Group, POA and Spoon Goons, donated to the event, whether financially or in kind. Some businesses were also on-site to provide information and show their support for the event. As a non-profit organization, the Ocean Games also received Crowdrise or PayPal donations from individuals who were eager to show their affiliation for the cause. Florida’s Adrienne Chin-Ogilvie has donated multiple times to the Ocean Games. “As an athlete and health care worker I have unfortunately witnessed the effects that brain and spinal injuries have had on multiple individuals. It is quite a pleasant surprise to know that Johns Hopkins Medicine has a rehab program devoted to giving brain injury and stroke patients a fighting chance for a better life. As a swimmer and a passionate believer in helping the less fortunate, I see the Ocean Games as a perfect medium to support this extremely worthy cause, “ Chin-Ogilvie explains.
Ocean Games (courtesy of Nick Denny Photography)
Supporting Corey Davis in his mission is a stellar organizing team and an array of volunteers who helped make the 3rd edition of the Ocean Games a smoothly run and enjoyable event for all involved. A pre-race dinner open to all participants kicked off the Games on Friday evening at the Ocean Pines Beach Club. Racers had the opportunity to meet, enjoy a delicious meal, and enjoy a sweeping view of the ocean that they were about to conquer the next day. An extensive safety meeting was also held for the 9-mile swimmers that evening, allowing them to meet their kayakers, familiarize themselves with the race, and learn about the expected conditions on race day.
Participants woke to sunny skies on Saturday morning, and everyone gathered to meet at the main hub of the Ocean Games just off the boardwalk at Caroline Street. Under the watchful eye of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, led by 1st Lieutenant Skip Lee, and the Ocean Games safety team, led by Nate Bonds, race day started off with the 9-mile swimmers. They began their journey off Ocean City’s boardwalk at Caroline Street and completed the race at 145th Street near the Maryland/Delaware border. Over 20 swimmers successfully completed the race, accompanied by their mandatory personal kayakers. A swift south to north current resulted in a very quick race, despite choppy waters and wind-driven swells. Pro marathon swimmer John Humenik came in first overall with a time of 3:05.43. He was followed by 22-year-old Meredith Gouger, who completed the race in 3:20.52. Kent Lassman came in 3rd place with a 3:22.04. Each of the three top finishers swam the 9-mile race without a wetsuit. Ocean Games organizing team member Dave Speier placed 1st in the wetsuit division with a time of 3:23.28, followed by Bobby Robinson and John Hebner.
The 3-mile swimmers had an equally fast race. Starting out at 45th Street and finishing at 145th, U.S. Naval Academy midshipman Noah Martin came in first overall with a blistering time of 1:01.12. He was followed by James Wagner and Matthew Leitsch. In the women’s division, Ocean Games organizing team member Julia Galan placed 1st with a time of 1:13.32, followed by Holly Donnelly and Lisa Hoff, who swam the race in 1:18.32 and 1:18.50, respectively.
The 1-mile race was a true sprint to the finish. Racers started their swim at 92nd Street and zoomed to the finish line at 145th Street in record time. 14-year-old Sinead Eksteen placed 1st overall, with a time of 22:16, followed by men’s 1st place finisher Thomas Krajewski who came in with a time of 23:52. Placing 2nd in the women’s division and 3rd overall was Susanna Bruce with a time of 26.17. Jay Jacobs and Ken Pakula took 2nd and 3rd in the men’s division, swimming the mile in 26.18 and 26.38, respectively. Margaret Bentley and Christine Keisling placed 2nd and 3rd in the women’s division with times of 26.24 and 26.39, respectively.
On the paddleboard side, the elite men’s division saw Bobby Frey, Christopher Norman and Brian Meyer placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall, respectively. On the women’s side, April Zig took 1st place, followed by Corrine Banks and Rachael Novak. The open division, which has competitors completing 2-3 laps of ¾ mile to 1-mile each around a rectangular course, was equally competitive with Kevin Haigs and Fielding Pagel placing 1st and 2nd followed by Becca Trosch in 3rd place overall. Competitors were then placed according to their age groups. Logan Rottman, who placed 1st in the 19-39 age group for the open division, shared: “I came into the race to have fun and represent Spoon Goons. I’m honored to place first in my first-ever competition. I’m relatively new to the sport, and my passion is SUP surfing. I expected the wind to be a challenge, but once I got in the water I got in the zone and the downwind played to my advantage. I especially want to thank the Ocean Games for this opportunity – it’s fantastic to be a part of the East Coast SUP Cup!”
After each of the races, food, water and sports drinks were provided to all participants courtesy of Food Lion and Walgreens. Ocean Games towels or water bottles were awarded to the top three men and women in each of the distances. Later that evening, a post-race party was hosted at Grotto’s Pizza on 14th Street. Participants left the Ocean Games feeling satisfied and accomplished. As 9-miler Jonathan Shinnick, who has participated in the event since its inaugural year in 2013, remarked, “…very organized race that gets better every year. How cool to say you swam Ocean City, Maryland! I see this becoming a premier East Coast event!”
After a successful 3rd edition, what’s in store for next year?
Registration is already open and the Ocean Games team is looking forward to 2016. www.oceangamesusa.org
About Julia Galan
Julia Galan is a lifelong competitive swimmer and a USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming coach. Julia’s passion for the sport, for coaching and for writing led to the creation of Swimspire, a coaching and swimming inspiration source geared towards athletes of all levels and goals.