Waves of Hope hit Amityville’s shoreline Mon., July 12. More than 50 swimmers dove into the Bay at the Narrasketuck Yacht Club and swam for two miles to Amityville Village Beach— all to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes. This was the second year the event was held in Amityville.

The event is organized by Christine Swartwout with the assistance of her father and the support of swimmers across Long Island.

“She took the initiative and all of the organizing and I did the marketing,” said Bill Swartwout.

Last year the group raised $10,000 and while final figures are not yet available for this year, Christine wants to meet or beat last year’s total.

“I think it all went very well,” said Christine following this year’s event.

All of the swimmers were enthusiastic as they waited to dive into the water from the dock at Narrasketuck Yacht Club to make the two-mile swim to Amityville Beach. One woman, Erin Hurme of Amityville Acupuncture, was particularly enthusiastic, entering—and completing—the event eight months pregnant. An avid swimmer and traithalete, she said she got the okay from her physician to compete again this year.

Photos by Carolyn James “I just took it a little easier,” she said. Not sure whether she’s having a boy or girl, she said the event will, nonetheless, be a nice story she can tell her child about when he or she grows up.

Amityville Village Police, Fire Department Volunteers and the Town of Babylon Bay Constables were on hand to ensure everyone’s safety in the water.

Christine is a senior at St. Anthony High School and is on the swimming team. She hopes the fundraiser’s tradition will continue when her younger sister Erica begins classes at St. Anthony’s.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Waves of Hope can do so by sending a check made out to Waves of Hope to P.O. Box 806, Amityville NY 1701.

Above, swimmers Woen Chapey, Lucas Tortterle and Matt Krog wait for the call from their coach to line up for the race.

At left, female swimmers pose for a photo before the race begins.