Congratulations to our 2022 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 13, 2022, 11:40 AM Start Time

• Rose Rage: 4:11:17
  • Nargus Harounzadeh
  • Jenn Leyva
• Leslie Hamilton: 4:12:06
• Ana Paola Piveti: 4:24:25

It was a beautiful, sunny day on the water, with some crazy fast currents thanks to the last Super Moon of the year the night before the swim.

We have not one but TWO new solo records: Leslie Hamilton at 4:12:06, coming in at ~22 minutes faster, and Ana Paola Piveti at 4:24:25 at ~10 minutes faster than the previous record of 4:34:02. Well done!

Relay group “Rose Rage” was the first finisher of the day (4:11:17), and the first duo relay team to complete the course.

So many great moments on the water! It was a joy to watch Ana get her chance to follow in Rose’s footsteps (swim strokes?) at last, after being unable to make the attempt due to weather in 2018. “Rose Rage” set a new standard for style with a synchronized back stroke under the Verrazzano Bridge. And Leslie, queen of the course, took the day with a new record.

There was another moment during the day worthy of note: as the swimmers began arriving for check in at the Marina, a white rose fell from the sky. Make of that what you will.

Saturday, August 7, 2021

No official swim in 2021, but we did enjoy a morning on the water with the amazing Jaimie Monahan and Arik Thormahlen. We can not thank Jamie and Arik enough for keeping URBANSWIM going during the dark days of Covid. It is thanks to their efforts that we were able to continue to stage swims during this period. We are incredibly grateful for all of their hard work, and honored to consider them friends.

Congratulations to our 2020 Rose Pitonof Swimmer:

Saturday, August 15, 2020, 7:30 AM Start Time

• Jaimie Monahan: 5:33:56

In this unusual year, our celebration was limited to one local solo swimmer in order to minimize any risk to our community.

We are delighted that Jaimie Monahan was the one to uphold the tradition of the Rose Pitonof Swim on this, its 10th anniversary.  She has completed this swim more times than anyone else, and is a powerful embodiment of the spirit of the event.  We can’t think of a better Rose representative, and are proud to have her as a member of the URBANSWIM family.

This swim was only a small part of Jaimie’s success in the waters of New York City this season.  While the world reeled from the Pandemic, Jamie focused on what she could still do during lockdown at home: she swam.  She swam around, and around, and around, and around Manhattan, becoming the only person to complete four consecutive loops of the island, and the record holder for the most circumnavigation swims in total.  Words can not capture the grit, perseverence, and force of will behind this stunning achievement.

Congratulations to our 2019 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 10, 2019, 6:14 AM Start Time

• Bennies 1: 4:09:59
• Bennies 2: 4:22:42
• Jaimie Monahan: 5:08:58
• Molly Nance: 5:11:17
• Jane Mason: 6:11:00
• Ranie Pierce: 6:13:14

From setting a new course record, to another birthday win, to first times under the Verrazano (with a back stroke and a holler), it was a fabulous day on the water.

As a special surprise, we had the honor of seeing and holding one of Rose’s actual swimming trophies.  (Thank you, Jaimie!)  Such a great way to get in touch with the past, and be reminded of the spirit and power of the young girl that inspired this event.

Saturday, August 11, 2018, 10:30 AM

Sadly, the scheduled 2018 Rose Pitonof Swim did not take place due to severe adverse weather conditions.

• Gabriela Lemus
• Edward Lomica
• Jaimie Monahan
• Ana Paola Piveti

We look forward to seeing the swimmers slated for that day at a future event

Congratulations to our 2017 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 19, 2017, 7:36 AM Start Time

• Bennies 1: 4:18:52
  • Andrew Smith (16)
  • Clayton Le Roux (17)
  • Bradley Petersen (15)
  • Kevin Yao (15)
  • Trent Graham (15)
  • Wian De Groot (17)
• Bennies 2: 4:24:32
  • Tyron Grabe (15)
  • Matthew Taylor (14)
  • Connor Johnston (15)
  • Stefanos Marketsalis (14)
  • Enrico Giuricich (15)
  • Keagan Wood (16)
• Abigail Fairman: 4:42:00
• Austin Frazer: 4:44:00
• Andrew Trout: 4:59:00
• Jaimie Monahan:  5:02:00
• Marty Munson: 5:24:09
• Randy Hill: (DNF)

What a glorious day on the water!

So thrilled to welcome the relay swimmers from St. Benedict’s High School, South Africa.  (Young Gentlemen, each and every one!)  They quickly made themselves comfortable in the NYC waterways, and zoomed to Steeplechase Pier in record times.

(The age range for Bennies 1 and 2 is 14-17.  Love it that people Rose’s age and younger are embracing open water swimming!  Looking forward to many future relay teams, with a deep bow to “Lady Rose’s Riverters” for leading the way!)

Abigail Fairman led the individual swimmers with a time of 4:42 (matching Liz Fry: 4:43, 2015), coming closest to the record of 4:34 held by Simona Dwass and Shane Moraghan of all swimmers to date.

Austin Frazer joined us again this year, and shaved 9 minutes from his previous time.

Andrew Trout, from the Bay Area (go SERC!) finished in under 5 hours, and is ready for more open water adventures in his new home on the east coast.

Jaimie Monahan, six time Rose Swimmer and overall Rockstar, kept it steady near her course best with a 5 hours and 2 minutes finish.

Marty Munson finished in under 5:30, and learned a lot about herself as an athlete.

It is said that Rose subsisted on a sandwich and some coffee for her 8hr Swim.  Today it’s a nutrition strategy of half hour feedings for a 5hr Swim…

I am still impressed by how different, yet the same, today’s Swim is to Rose’s experience…

Congratulations to our 2016 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 13, 2016, 6:19 AM Start Time

• Austin Frazer: 4:53:00
• Jaimie Monahan: 5:01:00
• Matt Gurry: 5:10:00
• Kate Mason: 5:14:53
• Julia Aston: 5:29:30
• Martino Caretto: 5:39:45
• Ellen Weinberg: 6:43

A VERY hot and humid day, but fortunately no storms.

Austin took the day with a sub 5 hour swim.  Jaimie shaved over 25 minutes off of her previous best, and Matt nailed an impressive reprise of his 5:10 time.

Ellen dug deep and fought the current at the end (as Rose did) to successfully complete an epic swim.

Overall, a great day on the water.  Can’t imagine a better way to celebrate Rose’s achievement on the actual date of her swim 105 years after the fact.

Congratulations to our 2015 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 15, 2015, 10:00 AM Start Time

• Shane Moraghan: 4:34:10
• Liz Fry: 4:43:00
• Melissa Kretchmer: 5:02:00
• Colum Lavelle: 5:08:58
• Jim Chiudioni: 5:14:00
• Lady Rose’s Riverters: 5:25:19
• Marybeth Brown:  5:32:05
• Jaimie Monahan: 5:36:00
• Mo Siegel: 6:03:00
• Stephanie Hopson: 6:29:00
• Alan Morrison: 6:50:00 (Breast Stroke, DNF)

We had some serious chop and wind out there on event day…

That said, we still had some of the fastest times ever!

Our winner, Shane, ties Simona for the record.  (Simona: 4:34:02.  Shane: 4:34:10)

At 4:43:00, Liz sets a record as the second fastest finisher.

We also had our first ever relay team. All hail “Lady Rose’s Riverters” at 5:25:19!

Alan swam breast stroke like a champ, and put up a heroic battle against the current and crazy wind at the end.

We would love to hear your experience of the day!

Congratulations to our 2014 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Simona Dwass, same age as Rose, smashes the time record and keeps the women #1 with a superfast finish.  Kathy and Kenn, neck and neck, also break the time record under a supermoon.  Kathryn amazes all by completing the entire course butterfly stroke, in high style.

• Simona Dwass: 4:34:02
• Kathy Jaeger: 4:58:00
• Kenn Lichtenwalter: 5:03:00
• Kathryn Mason: 5:41:30 (Butterfly Stroke)

Congratulations to our 2013 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Alan did the swim 100% BREAST STROKE (like Rose…but with no modern “over-hand” stroke when the going got tough)…Willy had a great finish at 6hrs…and, thanks to Jaimie, the ladies are STILL #1!

• Jaimie Monahan: 5:31:18
• Willy Blumentals: 6:00:00
• Alan Morrison: 6:29:00 (Breast Stroke)

Congratulations to our 2012 Rose Pitonof Swimmers:

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Even faster times than last year…and the ladies are still #1!

• Elke Hofmann: 5:06:00
• Kevin Joubert: 5:09:00
• Matt Gurry: 5:10:48
• Patrick Spearing: 5:19:33
• Abigail Long: 5:25:30
• Jaimie Monahan: 5:27:42
• Paul Rekoff: 5:29:00
• Franco Prezioso: 5:33:36

Congratulations to our 2011 Rose Pitonof Centennial Celebration Swimmers:

Saturday, August 13, 2011

What an amazing day…you made history!  And you have paved the way for future Swimmers…

• Lori Carena: 5:47:08
• Cara McAteer 5:51:05
• Leonard Jansen: 6:01:15,
• Jaimie Monahan: 6:03:48
• Alan Morrison: 6:09:04
• Jason Malick: 6:24:53