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Jill Holman, SWIM the SNAKE Coordinator, (right) finished her swim with blind swimmer, Carol Nelson (center) and Aida Patterson, Carol's guide. Nelson and Patterson are from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
By Lisa Naylor
Special to the Dayton Chronicle
LYONS FERRY–The eleventh annual SWIM the SNAKE event, an open water swim and paddling event, was successfully held last Saturday at Lyons Ferry State Park and Lyons Ferry Marina in Lake Bryan, Snake River. The event, sponsored by the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Council, is a fund-raiser for area youth competitive summer swim teams and the regional non-profit. The event started in 2013.
New participants this year were Carol Nelson, who is legally blind, and her swimming partner and guide, Aida Patterson of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. They completed the swim and return to Lyons Ferry State Park; a total swimming distance of 1.4 miles. "This was great fun and we look forward to doing it again next year!" Nelson said.
Paddlers begin the event at Lyons Ferry Marina and paddle to Lyons Ferry State Park. Open water swimmers begin when the paddlers reach the Park and swim to the Marina.
Local County Sheriff River patrols (from Columbia and Franklin Counties) manage traffic in the channel to ensure safety of all participants. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary from Kennewick is on course for an added measure of safety. Coordination with local barge companies and grain grower's river traffic is closely monitored prior and during the event.
Local volunteers are the backbone of this event. Samantha Steinhoff and Sepela Ilaoa, Columbia County Health System employees from Dayton, volunteered to guide swimmers in the channel and back to the State Park in their kayaks.
SWIM the SNAKE also depends on sponsorships and donations from area businesses; Puget Sound Energy, Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Banner Bank, Dayton Chamber of Commerce and many others. Washington State Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Columbia support this event.
The Blue Mountain RC&D Council is a 501(c)(3) organization serving Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties.
Planning is underway for the 2025 SWIM the SNAKE, on the second Saturday in August, August 9, 2025. Please check http://www.swimthesnake.org for registration details.
