{"id":446571,"date":"2020-09-14T20:16:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T03:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=446571"},"modified":"2020-09-14T20:16:01","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T03:16:01","slug":"dartmouth-alum-does-15-mile-river-swim-to-protest-program-cuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/dartmouth-alum-does-15-mile-river-swim-to-protest-program-cuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Dartmouth Alum Does 15-Mile River Swim to Protest Program Cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dartmouth alumnus Jim Bayles<\/strong> swam 15 miles on the Connecticut River Saturday to raise awareness for the campaign to reinstate Dartmouth Swimming and Diving.<\/p>\n

Bayles, a member of the Class of 1974 who was inducted to the school\u2019s athletic hall of fame in 2009, swam from Orford, New Hampshire to the Ledyard Canoe Club, covering 15.6 miles in seven hours and 45 minutes. Wearing a green cap with a Big D on the side, the 68-year-old was supported in the following boat by former Dartmouth swimming coach Jim Wilson<\/strong> and former Dartmouth women\u2019s swimming coach Joanne Brislin,<\/strong> who served as the official observer. Jim\u2019s wife, Trina Bayles<\/strong>, was also part of the support crew.<\/p>\n

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Jim Bayles, age 68, swam unassisted for 7 hours and 45 minutes for a total of 15.6 miles down the Connecticut river on Saturday. The Dartmouth Athletic Hall of Fame member was greeted by current swimmers, alumni, and supporters as he completed the swim. His message was clear: Reinstate the Swim and Dive Teams to Division 1 Varsity status. Jim\u2019s protest swim comes in addition to more than 30,000 who have signed the online petition and numerous calls from parents, alumni and luminaries across the collegiate and olympic swimming community. Please visit our website (in bio) to make a pledge!<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by SAVE DCSD ?\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/a> (@save_dartmouthswimdive) on