Gary's Creek Man Page! Welcome!
Gary was on WMUR-TV's NH Chronicle (2/08)
Visit NH Chronicle's website to see two videos all about Gary, his accordion history, and "Creek Man" experiences. If you don't see the videos, search for "Living Life to the Limit" -- Gary's vids should be the only 2 that come up!
Gary Swam to the Isles of Shoals Jan 17, 2008!
Thank you everyone for a successful swim!!
Gary's message to his team Jan. 18, 2008: I want to thank you all so so much for making this happen. This was all a team effort and congratulations goes out to each and everyone one of you. I could not have done this if it wasn't for all the hard work and thoroughness that went into this. I couldn't have asked for a better team. You guys all ROCK!!!! I am so happy today. Happy for me that I'm alive and happy that we did some good for others. I am still wiped out and a bit dizzy, but i want to tell you that i really love you guys. That truly comes from the heart.
I am still amazed at the power of a half of banana!!! I can't believe it..........about one minute after i consumed it i felt all the strength come back into my body.
Words can't express how much I want to thank you all. Maybe we should get team shirts??? Love you folks gary
New Links to articles, photos, and videos:
See Jeanné McCartin's great article and links to Deb Cram's photo slide show and new video...
Photo Slide show at Seacoast Online
Supporters gathered January 17, 2008 early at the Seacoast Science Center on Odiorne Point, Rye, NH, to watch from shore as Gary Sredzienski, Creek Man, jumped into the ocean for the six-mile swim to the Isles of Shoals.
Supporters, including (above) Judy Ryan, Executive Director of the Krempels Foundation and David Krempels, Founder. Photos by Grace Peirce, January 17, 2008
Jan 08: Creek Man Swimming to Isles of Shoals
See the video of Gary from Jan. 2008 Seacoast NH on youtube:
Creek Man Links...
Dec 2007 Seacoast online gallery
Seacoast-
online, 2004
Creek Man Photo Gallery!!
Creek Man Diary
Flying Fingered Solo Swimmer (PDF)
Jan 17, 18 or 19th, 2008, Seacoast NH: Download the Details (pdf)... We all have preferences in regards to exercise. Some folks go for a long bike ride or a long walk. For the last 5 or 6 years I have been swimming nearly 5 days a week and for 12 months a year in estuaries of Maine and New Hampshire. The waters here get quite frigid and laden with ice in the winter months, but technology today has provided me a way to keep warm in the most uninviting of conditions. Can you believe that it is possible to swim comfortably with minimal pain in the winter months? It's an unending science project for me that I am so passionate about. With each swim comes a new experiment and new discoveries in improving conditions for my ventures. One days as I looked at all the wetsuits in my basement and all the artifacts from different swims it dawned on me that I have swum hundreds of miles over the last few years. How can I possibly harness all the energy I have put into this and channel it to somewhere positive?
Photo by Deb Cram, December 2007
Each year as an accordionist I perform for a wonderful organization called 'Stepping Stones/The Krempels foundation' located in Portsmouth,NH. It is there I learned that brain injury does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at anytime. My heart was touched deeply by meeting and interacting with so many individuals. I was so moved by many and their stories that it left an ache in my heart. I decided that these folks would be my cause. Why can't I do a fundraising swim to raise money for this organization? What a great way to harness all of the energy I expend in the water!
So hopefully I will have one good sunny day with calm winds and seas from either Jan 17, 18 or 19th. So far as I know, I will leave from Odiorne Pt. in Rye which is the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor to the Isle of Shoals. God willing I have a nice tide to ride me out with no harsh side currents. Don't worry about me by the way! I have 2 boats that will be accompanying me, a doctor and a wonderful crew that is so into this and so thorough. The real challenge is swimming the 6 miles with comfort, to stay warm and not plundge into hypothermia. I've been working real hard on this and tweaking all the details. Spruce creek is 10 degrees colder than the ocean and when the tide rushes out of it . . . it is one heck of a workout. I so so look forward to going out to the islands the old fashioned way . . . with no fins, but layered wetsuits. To make a donation to the wonderful Stepping Stones Program . . . please visit the site......... www.krempelsfoundation.org
Please be sure to type in 'swim08' in the designation field. Thank you everyone and I appreciate your support and prayers! gary
Fall 2007
Fall comes early to New England. One cold night would rob my swimming season, so I began experimenting with gear, and it is now possible for me to swim outdoors 12 months of the year!!!
Godzilla photo by Deb Cram... abused by others...
