Plum Island Punch: Swim

South to North

August 6, 2021

Exactly two years after the Gardiner's Blitz, the Bandits returned to Gardiner’s Island, but this time as the starting point for the challenge. 

Caite Kappel (in her first Dawgpatch swim), Spencer Schneider, Drew Harvey, and Kyle Sturmann left from Bostwick Bay on Gardiner’s Island at dusk and headed north towards the fabled Plum Island, formerly home to an animal disease research center operated by the US Department of Agriculture. The island is still federal property, but is now controlled by the Department of Homeland Security. 

The bandits faced the following obstacles: cold open ocean water temperature, a consistent swelling chop, and a mean sweep along the south end of Plum Island where water depths go from 100+ feet to less than 10 feet. The bandits were able to swim smart and punch through this final current without getting swept into “the race,” the channel between Plum Island and Orient Point that is home to depths of over 200 feet. A fishing boat also menaced inshore, but fortunately it never came too close to the bandits. 

Caite was the first to complete the five mile swim in an excellent first showing and she was shortly thereafter followed by the old cat Spencer. Drew and Kyle made landfall twenty minutes later, completing the swim in approximately 3 hours.   

Spencer and Caite were guided by a support boat consisting of Captain Dave Harvey, Admiral Dawn Harvey, and spotter/bandit Jeremy Grosvenor. 

Drew and Kyle were guided by a support boat consisting of Captain Dana Harvey, lifeguard Chuck Partellow, and spotter Jennifer Ferry.