BEACON – Over 100 swimmers and some kayakers crossed the Hudson River from Newburgh to Beacon for a cause on Sunday – to keep the Hudson River Pool alive in the City of Beacon.
The event, which has been held for 15 years, brought out some 126 swimmers and between 35 and 40 kayakers this year, who have collectively raised nearly $25,000 for maintenance of the pool thus far. The goal for this year’s fundraiser is $40,000.
The arrival point in Beacon
Susan Blake, ready for her first swim
One of those swimmers was Susan Blake, who was the first to arrive to the dock on the Beacon waterfront in her first time in this swim.
“I really like outdoor swimming and I like that there is this opportunity to swim in the river, which is pretty rare,” Blake said. “I’m happy to raise money for this cause.”
Juliet Conti was happy to be able to swim this year.
“I have always supported Clearwater. I’m from Croton-on-Hudson where the Clearwater event is held every year,” Conti said. “I think it’s a worthy cause to keep [the river] clean, great and viable for all living beings.”
Laurel Becker was on the steering committee for the event during its
inception and is now a member of the Board of Directors. Her passion for
the Hudson River dates back to her childhood in Westchester.
“My mom was a single parent when it was hard to be a single parent, back in the ‘50s,” Becker said, “and sometimes when she just needed to settle down, she drove to the river and it would just relax her. I always dedicate my service to the Hudson to my mom.”
The River Pool in Beacon provides locals free access to swim in the Hudson River each summer. It is maintained through donations to a nonprofit organization of the same name, which advocates for the preservation of the river as well as community access to the river.
