Tom Wear Memorial Swim Draws Scores of Swimmers

More than 100 swimmers dove into the waters of Woodport on Sunday morning for the second annual Tom Wear Memorial Swim.
The event, which is held in honor of longtime Lake Hopatcong businessman Tom Wear, sent swimmers on a one-mile route around inflatable buoys in Woodport, and raised money for the Jefferson Township Animal Pound.
“It was very cold, but very nice,” said Andrea Hunt, 62, who visited from Washington, D.C., for the event. “I just like doing open water swims and hadn’t done this one before.  And a mile is a nice distance.”
Both years, the weather has been challenging—cool and rainy—but nonetheless, attendance increased from last year to this year.
Betsy Decker, who alongside her husband, Bruce, volunteered to help with parking and hospitality, said the event was a worthy tribute to Wear. “It’s definitely been a success,” she said. “And it appears to be growing.”
About 100 swimmers competed in the one-mile competition, and another ten or so participated in a quarter-mile swim. They started at Prospect Point Boat Yard, and swam to the northwest shore of Woodport, toward Mason Street Pub, across toward Oh Sullivans, and back to the marina for the finish.
In all, despite the weather, participants were in high spirits and event organizer Esther Poulsen said she was thrilled with the turnout. “We’re very happy with how it’s turned out,” she said. “Aside from the weather, we couldn’t ask for it to be any better.”
Final results will be posted here when they are available.  For more about the event, go to swimlakehopatcong.com.