Larry Hartley swims 11.5 miles for The Hope Chest! The Lake Fontana swim started at 6:21 a.m. on Saturday morning. There was a full moon peering through the morning mist or fog. Seven swimmers set out led by a couple kayakers with lights. 
The water was dead calm, and warm, maybe 82 degrees. We set off swimming at a little over 2 miles per hour clip, Jimbo Cottam and Chris Lechner leading the way. We swam steady, but paused for drinks and/or food about once an hour. Seven of us kept it up for the first 6.4 miles, which we covered in about 3 hours. 
Three swimmers stopped after that and four continued. At the 6 hour and 5 minute mark, at about 11.5 miles Larry headed to the pontoon boat. About 15 minutes later Chris’ son, Luke joined Larry and others on the pontoon boat. By the afternoon a gentle but steady wind had picked up. Fortunately the wind was at our back. 
Jimbo and Chris were then joined by another swimmer who stayed with them into the afternoon. She took a short break and then rejoined them for the end of the swim. It was a gorgeous sunny day in the 80s. The support staff of kayakers and pontoon boats did a great job keeping the swimmers on course, and hydrated and fed. 
Jimbo and Chris completed the approximately 21.5 mile swim right at about 10.5 hours. All and all a really nice event, and we also raised a little money for Hope Chest For Women. If anybody would like to add to the charity here is a link.:
GREAT JOB, Larry et al!
Asheville Masters Swimming 