By Ryan, eCommerce Manager
On this past Labor Day I swam the Roy Webster swim for my third year in a row. It’s not really that difficult but pretty cool to say you swam across the MASSIVE Columbia River. Our team from The Fruit Company was the largest of around 21 people. Scott Webster, our CEO and President, convinced our Production Manager Pepe to swim, when Pepe’s swimming skills are little to non-existent (he might have almost drowned as a teenager). So…Pepe shows up to the swim with 2 wetsuits on, flippers, a kickboard, and one of those old school orange life vests. Needless to say it was quite amusing. My swim day started at 5am in the morning and everyone participating in the swim boarded the historic Sternwheeler and rode to the Washington side of the river. Where I jumped off the boat into the chilly Columbia River. The swim took me roughly 30 minutes and then after finishing I was greeted by other employees of The Fruit Company with fresh fruit for everybody participating in the swim. Everybody from The Fruit Company finished the swim(including Pepe) and then we went to a great breakfast together hosted by the Hood River Inn on the waterfront. Props to Roy Webster for starting this unique swim event and the Hood River Chamber of Commerce for hosting it each year.
My favorite patch of all my swims says “Cross Channel Swim Columbia River Hood River Oregon.”
I grieve the loss of “Columbia River.” Please add it back onto the patch and the poster for the 75th. Please.
I’m from out of state and “Cross Channel Swim” means nothing to people here! But they know the Columbia River and would comment, giving me an opportunity to mention the Fruit Company.
This is my 80th year. I hope I can celebrate my anniversary and your 75th with Columbia River back on the patches. And poster!
Thanks,
Kristin
swimming is my favorite way of burning of those extra fats and calories.
i always use Swimming as may daily exercise, it is much better than jogging and running~**