Whew! What a morning. Record Holder Republic World Record for the longest human chain across a body of water (500 meters)  It took 345 swimmers (stretching real hard) to make it, but make it we did.  Honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Special Olympics Swim Team at  the YMCA Aquatic Center, we ended up raising $3857 and with a matching donor we ended up with a total of $7714.00 for Orange County Special Olympics.  Many thanks to all participants and volunteers, special thanks to the paddle boarders, boaters, smoothie makers, a Slice of Lime (the band), Kellyco (the drone) and Mi the event coordinator.

The event will be covered on WESH channel 2 news tomorrow morning (Sunday) between 5-8 AM.

Photos below

Charlie St.Cyr-Paul first to arrive at zero dark thirty.  Many thanks to Charlie and his band mates in a Slice of Lime.

Charlie St.Cyr-Paul first to arrive at zero dark thirty. Many thanks to Charlie and his band mates in a Slice of Lime.

We had several special olympians cheering for the participants.  They are very grateful for the over $7700 raised for Orange County Special Olympics.

We had several special olympians cheering for the participants. They are very grateful for the over $7700 raised for Orange County Special Olympics.

Color coded noodles was the secret weapon in setting the world record and everyone passed the drug tests, except for Gene, but turns out the drugs he was on were not performance enhancing.

Color coded noodles was the secret weapon in setting the world record and everyone passed the drug tests, except for Gene, but turns out the drugs he was on were not performance enhancing.

...and then the guy bet Lucky $1 convince over 300 people to get in the lake and hold hands.  Lucky was seen today spending his winnings at the dollar store.

…and then the guy bet Lucky $1 that he couldn’t convince over 300 people to get in the lake and hold hands. Lucky was seen this afternoon spending his winnings at the dollar store.

We told everyone there were no gators in the lake . . . Ha ha ha ha ha . . . and they believed us.

We told everyone there were no gators in the lake . . . Ha ha ha ha ha . . . and they believed us.

Dr. Phillips H.S. swimmers showed up to help out the cause . . . but only the cool ones.

Dr. Phillips H.S. swimmers showed up to help out the cause . . . but only the cool ones.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Lucky says we were right on schedule – just 30 minutes behind –

We did it!!!! World Record! All world record holders can go into any McDonald's restaurant and buy coffee for only $1 . . . not the good stuff just plain.

We did it!!!! World Record! All world record holders can go into any McDonald’s restaurant and buy coffee for only $1 . . . not the good stuff just plain.

When we finished everyone wanted to build a bonfire with the noodles.  Lucky being a party pooper wouldn't let  us have any gasoline. Most folks ended up taking their noodles home to sell on eBay. I saw one sell as a buy it now for $175.00.

When we finished everyone wanted to build a bonfire with the noodles. Lucky being a party pooper wouldn’t let us have any gasoline. Most folks ended up taking their noodles home to sell on eBay. I saw one sell as a buy it now for $175.00.  I bet now you are wishing you had kept yours.

Slice of Lime played and Lucky danced, you didn't see him dance but he did.

Slice of Lime played and Lucky danced, you didn’t see him dance but he did, in his speedos.

Many thanks to Mi Hoshino for all her strong work on the event.

Many thanks to Mi Hoshino for all her strong work on the event.

Geno and Carlos, you start drinking alcohol before 7AM and you end up in a lake holding hands with strangers.

Geno (our oldest participant)  and Carlos, you start drinking alcohol before 7AM and you end up in a lake holding hands with strangers.

Notice the wound on the knee.  This is exactly what a suction cup injury from the Lake Cane Monster looks like.  I'm not saying that's what caused the wound . . . I'm just strongly suggesting that, because there can be no other rational explanation.

Notice the wound on the knee. This is exactly what a suction cup injury from the Lake Cane Monster looks like. I’m not saying that’s what caused the wound . . . I’m just strongly suggesting it, because there can be no other rational explanation.

Geno and Sam get the fabled 1000K gold cap. You should always bow before those wearing a gold cap.

Geno and Sam get the fabled 1000K gold cap. You should always bow before those wearing a gold cap.

After years of pestering by Lucky former American Record holding swimmer Michele Griglione swam the lake for the first time. Only 99 more for the 100K club.

After years of pestering by Lucky former American Record holding swimmer Michele Griglione swam the lake for the first time.  He is so pleased that as a reward he is allowing her to try out for the Underwater Hockey Team at the YMCA Aquatic Center.

Lauren Bergquist (Special Olympian) made the crossing today!

Lauren Bergquist (Special Olympian) made the crossing today!

Duck got his 25 K crossing cap today and he swam without Lucky. He later traded the cap to Ron for a magic worm.  Lucky made Ron give the cap back when Duck became upset when he found out there was no such thing as a "magic worm".

Duck got his 25 K crossing cap today and he swam it for the first time without Lucky. He later traded the cap to Ron for a magic worm. Lucky made Ron give the cap back when Duck became upset when he found out there was no such thing as a “magic worm”. Duck said it still tasted good.

 

 

 

Whew! What a morning. Record Holder Republic World Record for the longest human chain across a body of water (500 meters)  It took 345 swimmers (stretching real hard) to make it, but make it we did.  Honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Special Olympics Swim Team at  the YMCA Aquatic Center, we ended up raising $3857 and with a matching donor we ended up with a total of $7714.00 for Orange County Special Olympics.  Many thanks to all participants and volunteers, special thanks to the paddle boarders, boaters, smoothie makers, a Slice of Lime (the band), Kellyco (the drone) and Mi the event coordinator.

The event will be covered on WESH channel 2 news tomorrow morning (Sunday) between 5-8 AM.

Photos below

Charlie St.Cyr-Paul first to arrive at zero dark thirty.  Many thanks to Charlie and his band mates in a Slice of Lime.

Charlie St.Cyr-Paul first to arrive at zero dark thirty. Many thanks to Charlie and his band mates in a Slice of Lime.

We had several special olympians cheering for the participants.  They are very grateful for the over $7700 raised for Orange County Special Olympics.

We had several special olympians cheering for the participants. They are very grateful for the over $7700 raised for Orange County Special Olympics.

Color coded noodles was the secret weapon in setting the world record and everyone passed the drug tests, except for Gene, but turns out the drugs he was on were not performance enhancing.

Color coded noodles was the secret weapon in setting the world record and everyone passed the drug tests, except for Gene, but turns out the drugs he was on were not performance enhancing.

...and then the guy bet Lucky $1 convince over 300 people to get in the lake and hold hands.  Lucky was seen today spending his winnings at the dollar store.

…and then the guy bet Lucky $1 that he couldn’t convince over 300 people to get in the lake and hold hands. Lucky was seen this afternoon spending his winnings at the dollar store.

We told everyone there were no gators in the lake . . . Ha ha ha ha ha . . . and they believed us.

We told everyone there were no gators in the lake . . . Ha ha ha ha ha . . . and they believed us.

Dr. Phillips H.S. swimmers showed up to help out the cause . . . but only the cool ones.

Dr. Phillips H.S. swimmers showed up to help out the cause . . . but only the cool ones.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Forming the line was as easy as herding catfish.

Lucky says we were right on schedule – just 30 minutes behind –

We did it!!!! World Record! All world record holders can go into any McDonald's restaurant and buy coffee for only $1 . . . not the good stuff just plain.

We did it!!!! World Record! All world record holders can go into any McDonald’s restaurant and buy coffee for only $1 . . . not the good stuff just plain.

When we finished everyone wanted to build a bonfire with the noodles.  Lucky being a party pooper wouldn't let  us have any gasoline. Most folks ended up taking their noodles home to sell on eBay. I saw one sell as a buy it now for $175.00.

When we finished everyone wanted to build a bonfire with the noodles. Lucky being a party pooper wouldn’t let us have any gasoline. Most folks ended up taking their noodles home to sell on eBay. I saw one sell as a buy it now for $175.00.  I bet now you are wishing you had kept yours.

Slice of Lime played and Lucky danced, you didn't see him dance but he did.

Slice of Lime played and Lucky danced, you didn’t see him dance but he did, in his speedos.

Many thanks to Mi Hoshino for all her strong work on the event.

Many thanks to Mi Hoshino for all her strong work on the event.

Geno and Carlos, you start drinking alcohol before 7AM and you end up in a lake holding hands with strangers.

Geno (our oldest participant)  and Carlos, you start drinking alcohol before 7AM and you end up in a lake holding hands with strangers.

Notice the wound on the knee.  This is exactly what a suction cup injury from the Lake Cane Monster looks like.  I'm not saying that's what caused the wound . . . I'm just strongly suggesting that, because there can be no other rational explanation.

Notice the wound on the knee. This is exactly what a suction cup injury from the Lake Cane Monster looks like. I’m not saying that’s what caused the wound . . . I’m just strongly suggesting it, because there can be no other rational explanation.

Geno and Sam get the fabled 1000K gold cap. You should always bow before those wearing a gold cap.

Geno and Sam get the fabled 1000K gold cap. You should always bow before those wearing a gold cap.

After years of pestering by Lucky former American Record holding swimmer Michele Griglione swam the lake for the first time. Only 99 more for the 100K club.

After years of pestering by Lucky former American Record holding swimmer Michele Griglione swam the lake for the first time.  He is so pleased that as a reward he is allowing her to try out for the Underwater Hockey Team at the YMCA Aquatic Center.

Lauren Bergquist (Special Olympian) made the crossing today!

Lauren Bergquist (Special Olympian) made the crossing today!

Duck got his 25 K crossing cap today and he swam without Lucky. He later traded the cap to Ron for a magic worm.  Lucky made Ron give the cap back when Duck became upset when he found out there was no such thing as a "magic worm".

Duck got his 25 K crossing cap today and he swam it for the first time without Lucky. He later traded the cap to Ron for a magic worm. Lucky made Ron give the cap back when Duck became upset when he found out there was no such thing as a “magic worm”. Duck said it still tasted good.