Cartwright Shoals to Gerard Drive: Swim
START POINT: Cartwright Shoals, Gardiner's Island
END POINT: Gerard Drive, Springs
Mode of Travel ( Ex: Run, Swim, Bike, Paddle, Hike) : Swim
Distance: 2 miles
Date of Completion: September 12, 2026
Levels of Support: Seven swimmers were accompanied by 4 boats holding 14 adults, one baby, and 4 paddleboards — many of the support team swam or paddled sections of the crossing.
Trip Report: “The Big Swim! We departed by boat from Gerard Drive and motored over to Cartwright Shoals, taking care not to touch the beach...we got as close as knee-deep. Then seven swimmers — Leo Turpan, Elias Van Sickle, Jojo Sepulveda, Thea Giovannini-Torelli, Sylvia Channing, Ellie Duke, and Krae Van Sickle — headed back toward Gerard Point, trailed by a flotilla of boats and paddleboards. Each boat and board had a few swimmers to look out for, and almost everyone hopped in the water or on a board for a bit of the crossing. With thanks to Scott Bluedorn, Elise Herget, Christian Scheider, Remi Berger, Kate Kavanaugh Harris Allen, Jasmine Chamberlain, Isla Hansen, Tucker Marder, Heron Hansen-Marder, Biddle Duke, Ali Slagle, Ryan Powell, Oliver Ryan, and Sarah Kate Hartt, all seven swimmers made it safely across to land on the beach at Gerard. The whole team tailgated in the parking lot with chai tea and breakfast cakes made by Ali Slagle.” - Ellie Duke
Additional Details: This swim was designed to be FUN and approachable — we consulted with reliable sources about the tides and winds to make sure we'd have an easy crossing, and everyone was made aware that safety and comfort was the most important thing. People could hop on a paddle board or boat at any time, the pace was slow and steady, and it was good fun for all involved, even (or especially) those spectating from the boat.
