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Miramonte Grad Attempts First Successful Farallon-SF Bay Swim Friday

Former Orinda resident and competitive swimmer Karen Rogers will leap from a small boat into the chilly open ocean Friday for a brisk 30-mile swim back to San Francisco Bay.

 

Karen Rogers has always been more comfortable in water than on land.  On Friday, she plans to take a little 30-mile open ocean swim in an effort to become the first woman to make it from the Farallon Islands to San Francisco Bay.

Lamorinda Patch, needless to say, will be cheering her on - from dry land.

Karen, who some locals may remember from her days at Miramonte as Karen Polkinghorn, has been swimming since about the age of four, and made her name swimming for several local teams and in a series of swims across Lake Tahoe.   Friday's jaunt, with her crew of watchers trailing her every move in small boats and kayaks, could be a record-making effort.

"It has been confirmed that we are on for Friday," Karen posted to her FaceBook page yesterday.  "All of my hard work is behind me and I am very excited about getting in the water and going for it."

We'll bring you more information and photos of her effort as we get them.  The video, by the way, was created by Karen's father and not the editor, our current video interface would not allow us to give appropriate credit.

Dave Culp

1:53 pm on Thursday, July 1, 2010

I have sailed that route; taking all afternoon until after dark to do it! My hat's off to Karen for attempting this crossing swimming. Respect!

Dave & Shelley Culp
College Nannies & Tutors
925 550 6738

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Kevin Thomas

1:38 pm on Thursday, August 5, 2010

Your article is incorrect. Karen Rogers will not be the first woman to attempt to swim from the Farralones to San Francisco Bay. Myra Thompson was the first and only woman to attempt this swim. She did this in 1957, and was pulled from the water just outside the Golden Gate, being unable to overcome the frigid water and strong currents, totally exhausted. Myra went on to conquer the Strait of Juan de Fuca and then finished 2nd in the professional race to swim the English Channel in 1959.

Karen Rogers has cancelled her planned attempt due to weather conditions. I wish her only the best of luck, if she again decides to try this swim.

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J.D. O'Connor

1:49 pm on Thursday, August 5, 2010

We appreciate the historical perspective, Kevin... and thank you!

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