Woman swims Lake George to help fight polio
LAKE GEORGE, N. Y. » The enormity of Louise Rourke’s achievement hit home when she stepped out of the water at the north end of Lake George, at about 3 a. m. last Tuesday.
She and good friend Bridget Simpson had just completed a relay swim of the 32- mile- long “Queen of American Lakes,” a feat difficult enough for the strongest of athletes.
Rourke, 63, did it to raise awareness and funds to help eradicate polio, which paralyzed her right leg in infancy, when she contracted the dreaded disease.
“It was very emotional for me upon reaching Ticonderoga,” she said. “The feeling of accomplishment and the culmination of some lifetime experiences was a bit overwhelming. I thought of Diane Struble ( the first person to swim Lake George in 1958), of the people in Nepal aff licted with polio, and how many polio immunizations might be possible as a result of this effort.”
Rourke, of Porter Corners, turned to swimming as a child and has maintained a lifelong love for the sport. She enjoys freedom in the water, which isn’t possible with many land- based activities and games.
Rourke was 4 when Struble generated widespread publicity by swimming the entire length of Lake George, and dreamed about the possibility of doing it herself some day.
Simpson, a Ticonderoga resident, swam the lake last fall to celebrate her 50th birthday.
Shortly afterward, Rourke met Simpson who challenged her to make her dream come true. But instead of Rourke swimming the lake solo, the women came up with a plan to do it together, taking turns of five to six miles each.
“In addition to physical preparations, Louise and I had to prepare for the logistics of a swim of this magnitude,” Simpson said.
Boaters and paddlers accompanied them the entire way, carrying food and water if they needed it.
“Louise and I needed our support crew to paddle at whatever speed we set, while making sure we swam in the most direct route possible,” Simpson said. “The contribution of the support team cannot be overstated. They made it possible.”
“The team aspect of the relay reflects the teamwork needed to take on a goal like eradicating polio -- research, primary care, specialized care, care during recovery and life after the most acute infection,” she said. “Even when our specific goals are distinct, we can often work together on common aspects.”
Rourke’s son, Devin, set up a virtual tracking device that allowed supporters to follow the swimmers’ progress online.
Rourke slipped into the water, in Lake George village, at about 6: 30 a. m. last Monday and did the first six- mile leg, followed by Simpson who did an equal length swim. Then they took turns doing five miles each, en route to Ticonderoga where they swam the last quartermile together.
“The weather was great, just phenomenal, which really helped,” Rourke said.
When the large Lac du St. Sacrement cruise boat went by, the captain tooted the horn and announced to guests on board what the women were doing, prompting a loud round of cheers. At The Sagamore resort, people on shore watched with binoculars and yelled out: “You Go Girl!”
“Additionally, we were surprised by friends who followed behind us in their boat at night from The Narrows to Anthony’s Nose,” Rourke said. “There was one kayaker with the swimmer at all times. My husband, John, accompanied us in our motorboat while Tom and Susanne Irish, my husband’s sister, and Bob -- my husband’s cousin -and Sue Davis shuttled kayakers and their kayaks to and from where we were swimming. We had tremendous volunteer support by about 20 people who trained with us ahead of time. The kayaks and people were lighted at night and Bridget and I wore waterproof headlamps so they could see us.”
Well- wishers greeted the swimmer with bouquets of flowers when they came ashore at Diane’s Rock in Ticonderoga.
But there’s still more work to be done.
Backed by Saratoga Springs Rotary Club, Rourke’s goal was to raise $ 32,000 -- $ 1,000 permile -- for Rotary International’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative, launched 30 years ago in 1988. Polio is still endemic in just two countries -- Pakistan and Afghanistan.
So far, the swim has generated about $ 10,000 worth of donations. However, fundraising will continue until mid- September when a celebration dinner takes place. The total amount raised will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has contributed more than $ 35 million to polio eradication in recent years.
“Both Louise and Bridget are to be admired for their swimming abilities, and the time they gave to this event,” said Don McPherson, past Saratoga Springs Rotary Club president. “Louise’s story is truly inspirational. Under the umbrella of polio, she delivers a strong message of ability rather than disability; plus the message that we need to remain diligent about implementing polio and other childhood vaccinations in today’s mobile society.”
A year ago at this time, Rourke had no idea she’d be involved in such efforts.
After many long months of difficult training, there’s one thing left to do: “Rest, relax and enjoy the rest of the summer,” she said. “It’s been such an amazing experience.”