John DaPrato

From Openwaterpedia
John DaPrato, an adventure swimmer and adventure writer from New York

John DaPrato is an open water swimmer and adventure writer from Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Marathon Swimming Career

DaPrato is the 421st swimmer to make a one way crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar (2013, non-wetsuit, one way crossing) on 16 October 2013 in 5 hours 16 minutes together with James Penrose and David Cook. He has completed other marathon swims such as the Boston Light Swim (2010), the 8.2-mile Pennock Island Challenge in Alaska (2008), the Great Salt Lake Open Water Marathon Swim (2011, and San Francisco Bay's Bridge-to-Bridge 10k Swim twice (2009 and 2010).

He was a member and captain of 4 marathon relay teams (MIMS & Boston Light). He has also finished many NYC Swims including 3 Little Red Lighthouse Swims...


My Background:

"After years of doing local open water swim competitions and triathlons, I committed myself in 2006, 2007 to take-on (and write about) adventurous, cold water marathon swims in far away places."

- In 2008, I finished Alaska's 8.2 mile Pennock Island Challenge: - my 11 page, Inside Passage, Alaska adventure essay: http://www.getfreeebooks.com/?p=1517

- In 2009, 2010, I completed San Francisco's "Bridge to Bridge 10k Swim" twice.

- In 2010, my longtime goal of finishing the historic "Boston Light Swim" was realized when I touched warm, very sweet L Street sand. My 2009 Boston Light attempt resulted in my published essay/story/ebook, "North to the Boston Light" http://www.bestebooksworld.com/ebook/14910/?fbclid=IwAR2KDpdX2M8Vm8i3AZbRzMvbcXLf-dSj7wDA6l3cj1jevNCsIMJevTd00Ts

- In 2011, I was one of 11 marathon swimmers to finish the revival or the resurrection of the "Great Salt Lake Open Water Marathon Swim."

- In 2013, I swam across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain to Morocco) in 5 hours & 16 minutes.


"In my view, a swimmer can experience real drama doing long, cold swims at sea not only because the environment can change in a heartbeat but a swimmer's mental and physical condition can also change in a flash, and, yes, new and different bodies of water create unique challenges for a swimmer. To be true, it's hard for me to think of some other sport or activity that could compare to cold open-water swimming. That said, my motto is: "Have swimsuit, goggles and GU (energy gel), will travel." One of my swimming poems: http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2011/08/far-away-destinations-poem-by-john.html

As for my work on dry land, I run my own British classic car book internet business and I'm under contract with various colleges as a speech (public speaking) lecturer. I'm also writing short stories and poetry (mostly about swimming adventures) after a long break (I was a poet/writer and ocean lifeguard in my Montauk years).

Back to open-water and to sum up: yes, I've done a lot of events over the years but my last few marathon swims (starting with the Boston Light Swim) have been the most challenging and the most rewarding for me.. Staying connected with both NYC SWIM and CIBBOWS has given me the opportunity to be a regular volunteer, to compete in all sorts of swim events, and to put marathon relay teams together. So, yes, it's been great to be a part of the NYC swimming scene, and more than that, it's been great to be a part of the "Global Swimming Movement."

--"My travel book is open wide, ocean adventures are on the list, and, hey, the high seas will always wait for me."... ~ by me, jd... 


       Far Away Destinations
   
   Snow falls past
   midnight
   as I walk alone
   heading
   for home
   on a dimly lit
   city side street.
   
   I think of days
   when I'll find
   the roads
   that lead me to
   the open sea
   where I'll swim
   past the high waves
   and dream of far
   away destinations.
 
   ~jd

Publications

Adventure essays "TO ALASKA'S DARK INSIDE PASSAGE" (2009) AND "NORTH TO THE BOSTON LIGHT" (2010)--

Poems by John DaPrato

External links

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