Hey, Chicago: Please Support Distance Swimmer Paula Stephanson!

I had a great conversation with Eleanor Stephanson, Paula’s mother, earlier this afternoon. Paula, a marathon swimmer from Belleville, Ontario, is looking to become only the second person to have ever swum across all five Great Lakes. So far she’s done all four but Lake Michigan – and she’s planning to accomplish that the weekend of August 22, 2009.

The swim route starts right here in Chicago at Rainbow Beach (77th Street) and ends in the Michiana Shores area. The total distance is approximately 35 miles, and Paula expects to complete this distance in 24 hours.

Honestly, I was surprised that this was the first I had ever heard of Paula’s swim. Given the magnitude of the event – and the fact that it’s taking place literally on our shores – one would think that the local press (yes, that’s you WGN/Tribune Media, Sun Times) would be championing this. But apparently it’s more important for them to report on what “LiLo” is doing whenever she stumbles into town. But alas I digress…

Here’s the skinny, folks:

Paula and her team are having difficulty securing escort boats to accompany her on the swim. I’m posting this so you can get the word out locally to anyone who might be able to supply them. This is what they need:

– A smaller size 2-person motorized boat, such as a Zodiac boat, to accompany her in the water and supply her during the swim

– A larger sail or powerboat that can accommodate a crew of 6-8 people on the support team. It needs to have the proper directional equipment necessary to traverse the lake at night during the 24-hour period. Also, this boat would need to have facilities to heat food (i.e. stove, microwave) which will be provided to Paula during the evening part of the swim.

In exchange for this, Paula would be willing to pay any expenses that are incurred by the boats during the swim (docking fees, fuel, etc.) as well as provide food for all of the crew members involved.

I’m sure some of you are thinking, “Why don’t they just get a few corporate sponsors like the marathon/triathlon/Elvis/Hustle/Shamrock/Turkey event always does?” Well, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way for distance swimmers. Unlike professional athletes in highly visible “TV” sports, these athletes aren’t flaunting their talents in front of huge crowds. Instead, they quietly train long and hard hours and go to day jobs to finance their goals.

So why should any of you consider this? Here are just a few reasons:

– You get to be part of a unique and amazing experience

– You get to show how generous the people of Chicago are to international sports celebrities (which would be a great selling point for the Olympic bid…)

– And most important, you get to be a hero to someone attempting something both positive and monumental:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxeGMIWfnE0&hl=en&fs=1&]

Here’s her contact info:

Paula Stephanson
paula_stephanson@hotmail.com

Okay Chi-town…it’s time to step up!!