This year, Jeff entered the water in thick fog at Boon Island at 10:53 am on Saturday with anticipation of ending the course about 5 hours later. I couldnt even see the lighthouse when I was on Boon Island, the fog was so thick said Patten after the swim.

The hospital had set up tents with games, free food and face painting activities for the kids to enjoy while they waited. Portsmouth Kayak Adventures and radio station "98.7 The Bay" were on hand for demonstrations, entertainment and fun. A large nautical map was utilized to track Pattens progress in the water for the crowd. Spectators and tourists on the shore of the Nubble were amazed when the first call came in to track his progress and noted that he was ahead of schedule. By 1:00pm, he had swum more than half the distance.

As the fog began to lift, onlookers were able to spot the fireboat that was following Jeffrey and were able to watch him head toward shore. He touched ground at 2:45pm amidst applauding and cheers from the crowd of about 150 on hand. His official time in the water was 3 hours, 57 minutes - a record swim! Pattens best time of 4 ½ hours was back in the early 1990s.

I was ecstatic to see such a big crowd wishing me well. The swim went well, with no major problems and the water temperature was warmer than expected, said Patten. I am glad to have partnered with the hospital on this event and proud to have played a part in raising funds for those that cant afford health care, and to know I am ten years older but can still swim a good swim!

This years swim benefited York Hospitals Caring for All program that offers innovative health care options for the uninsured and underinsured living in our community. The hospital thanked the major sponsors of the event: Viewpoint Inn, Q-97.9 FM, and Anchorage Inns; contributor SportsMedicine Atlantic Orthopaedics and the Town of York and Sohier Park for their help in making the event a success. For more information, please call the hospitals Friendraising office at (207) 351-2228.