Open Water Swimmers of Southern Delaware dive into third season

The Open Water Swimmers of Southern Delaware kicked off its third summer season swimming in Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The unofficial club comprises southern Delaware residents and visitors alike who enjoy swimming in local waters. They schedule swims on Facebook, where their group has now reached more than 400 members. 

“Mostly we’re out there just to enjoy being in the water, because there’s nothing like it,” said founder Chris Noonan Sturm. “It’s so different from being in the controlled and chlorinated environment of a pool. It’s just being out in nature and enjoying water in its natural state. And it’s just the best way to start the day.”

Typically, swimmers meet every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. on Savannah Beach in Lewes where they beat the parking meters. They’ll also hold occasional swims on Sundays at 8 a.m. at the north end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk. All meetings are dependent on weather and bay/ocean conditions. 

“We’re blessed to have two really amazing bodies of water: the Delaware Bay, which on a good day can be as smooth as glass and like a pool, and then of course we have the Atlantic Ocean, which presents also some really interesting swim opportunities,” Sturm said.

The Facebook page serves as a discussion board for members to post when and where they would like to meet, connecting swimmers up and down the coast of Delaware. The social media site is especially helpful for those who are training for races and need a buddy with whom to swim. 

During the height of the season, usually about a dozen individuals meet to swim. The swimmers divide themselves into two pods based on their desired speed and distance: the power pod and the slow-and-steady pod. More elite competitors like Ray Peden, a former Rehoboth Beach Patrol guard and English Channel swimmer, and David Shackley, a USA Swimming Foundation board member, take on the power pod. Others seeking a swim for pleasure tend to stick with the slow-and-steady pod. 

The pods wisely keep swimmers together in the event of unwanted experiences, like suffering a cramp, encountering sea creatures or facing violent water. 

“It’s about safety, really,” Sturm said. “You don’t want to go out in these bodies of water by yourself. That’s really the primary goal.”

Each swimmer is recommended to wear a fluorescent inflatable device they call a tow float so craft and other swimmers can easily see each other. They also encourage swimmers to attach a whistle to their float for emergency purposes. 

Most members are seniors or middle-aged, with the majority between 55-64 years old. The oldest member is in her mid-70s, while the youngest member is only 12. The beauty of the club is that all ages and skill levels are welcome.

“One of the biggest benefits is that intergenerational part of it, that we all have this thing in common that we love, that we’re passionate about,” Sturm said. 

Sturm moved to the area in 2020 from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. She was encouraged to try open-water swimming by her fellow swimmers at pools in Montgomery County, Md. Once she competed in a few local events, Sturm was hooked.

Upon moving to southern Delaware, Sturm was searching for like-minded individuals who didn’t want to swim alone in the bay and ocean. At the Sussex Academy pool where she swims, Sturm met Betsy Tootell, an open-water swimmer and now co-manager of the club, who also expressed interest in forming a group. 

Sturm officially started the Open Water Swimmers of Southern Delaware Facebook group in March 2023 to connect people online. She also posted flyers at local pools and running stores to appeal to triathletes. 

Not only do the members swim alongside one another during the week, but they also travel and race in competitions together. 

Apart from local events, some common races include the 2-mile Maryland Freedom Swim in May across the Choptank River in Cambridge, Md., and the 1- and 4.4-mile Chesapeake Bay Swim in June in Stevensville, Md. A few women also compete annually in the St. Croix Coral Reef Swim in November – a group favorite. 

According to co-managers Sturm, Tootell and Nancy Forsyth, the best part of the club is the camaraderie and inclusivity. 

“These swimmers are among the nicest people I know,” Forsyth said. “Not only do we get to swim in all sorts of conditions, we also get to do it with amazing people.”

To get involved and stay up-to-date on the swim schedule, join the Open Water Swimmers of Southern Delaware group on Facebook.