It was a cold but partly sunny morning in early January as Brighton Beach native Abby Jordan contemplated the Atlantic Ocean she was about to run into, as cotton candy clouds sped by in the sky above. Though she was wrapped in a parka underneath, she was only wearing a swimsuit and gloves and was already shivering in the 40 degree air as she gathered with a small group of likeminded folks who, week after week, plunge themselves into the sea, regardless of the season.
Abby is part of a small but growing community of open water swimmers in New York. Some swim for health reasons and others simply because they love nature. But Abby swims not just for those reasons but because she sees open water swimming as a response to climate change and encourages and teaches others for exactly that reason.
Jordan, has been a volunteer with Coney Island Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers (CIBOWS) since 2015 and an advocate for residents of coastal communities to connect with the water.
“Folks want to enjoy the ocean, love being in the water, but they don’t know how to swim, and that’s a really dangerous mix, right? They don’t know the tools that are necessary for calming down and relaxing if you are caught in a rip (current),” she said in an interview with the AmNews.
As climate change fueled heat increases, vulnerable New Yorkers without air conditioning are, more and more, seeking relief in the water. At the same time New York has been experiencing a life guard shortage for years, which means that some beaches don’t allow swimming even when city residents need it the most.
According to the NYC Parks Dept. “During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections”
“People are still going to go in the water, and … we’re going to continue to have heat waves. We’re going to continue to have more hot days. Are we going to continue to criminalize people, especially communities of color, when they want to cool down in the ocean?” Jordan said.
Jordan swims all year round, partly because swimming is one of the ways she deals with stress but also in order to advocate for and normalize open water swimming.
After experiencing the initial shock of the near freezing water, Jordan started swimming back and forth, parallel to the shore with housing projects in the background, and the Cyclone roller coaster in the distance. She stayed for a surprisingly long time and when she got out she explained that swimming in the sea, even in the depths of winter, energizes her like nothing else.
Abby Jordan helps teach New Yorkers how to swim safely in the open ocean and swims all year round, including in January. (Damaso Reyes photo) 
Instructor Catherine Fukushima explains the basics of ocean swimming to student Scott David. (Damaso Reyes photo) 
Instructor Catherine Fukushima conducts safety training during an open water swimming clinic hosted by Coney Island Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers. (Damaso Reyes photo) 
Open water swimming student Scott David dives into the ocean. (Damaso Reyes photo) 
“We have so much water that we have to learn to live with and we have to really change our systems’ way of thinking in order to survive and adapt to the changes that climate change is going to have on our city,” says Abby Jordan. (Damaso Reyes photo) 
First-time open water swimming student Scott David said, “This is eye-opening and exciting. I want to get stronger and better at swimming in the ocean.” (Damaso Reyes photo) 
Scott David of Hell’s Kitchen practices treading water, an essential open water swimming skill as other students practice in the background. (Damaso Reyes photo)
Surrounded by open water
Seven months later Abby Jordan and a group of CIBOWS volunteers stood on a nearby beach on a warm Saturday morning. Jordan was preparing for the organization’s signature event the next day, Grimaldo’s Mile which honors an NYC lifeguard who advocated for open water swimmers. Her colleagues were preparing to teach an open water swimming clinic which gives swimmers the essential prep they need to feel comfortable and be safe in the ocean.
“If you think about how much of New York City is surrounded by open water, it’s shocking to think that we’re not good at getting into it and feeling comfortable, ” said Christina Gantcher, a CIBOWS board member and their director of programs.
“I want people to be able to experience this huge opportunity we have, because we do have public beaches, which are great and safe, and it’s kind of hard to think that we’re a beach town because we feel so trapped in our concrete jungle, but the truth is, there’s lots of water all around us.”
Constance Sasso, a CIBOWS former board member, agreed.
Video by Damaso Reyes
“I think it’s important for everybody to maintain the connection with the natural environment, especially people that are living in urban environments,” she said.
“However, it only takes a second for an accident to happen, and knowledge of the possible dangers, and knowledge of how to relax and be mindful of what your limitations are is pretty important …. They should know and understand to keep themselves safe,” in the water as well, Sasso added.
Once clinic participants had gathered the volunteer instructors went through the basics of open water swimming and the best techniques to stay safe and have fun. After the safety briefing the group went into the water wearing their high visibility swim caps and trailing buoys to continue the lesson in a more hands on, or feet wet, manner. Many of the swimmers were fans of the pool but intimidated by the ocean.
Hell’s Kitchen resident Scott David, who attended the clinic, was preparing for a triathlon in Miami. He had spent a lot of time training in the pool but the ocean was a totally different experience for him.
“The slight panic of not having anything to hold on,” he responded with a smile when asked about the difference between pool and ocean swimming. “This is eye opening and exciting. I want to get stronger and better … I should have come earlier,’ he added.
The stimulation of the ocean provided a nice contrast for another participant.
“It’s way more pleasurable than pool. There’s a lot of monotony there, and there’s more excitement and more things to see, more things to think about [in the ocean]. There are several elements that add to the experience here,” said clinic participant Uwen Umoh.
Abby Jordan was just 18 years old when Superstorm Sandy hit and she says it had a profound impact on her.
“I think that experience really pushed me towards a different understanding of what I wanted to have for my life. I was introduced to climate change because of that. I was introduced to coastal resiliency initiatives because of surviving Sandy and now, as an educator, I can share my story with my students,” said Jordan, who works as a climate education program manager at the National Wildlife Federation.
“We have so much water that we have to learn to live with and we have to really change our systems way of thinking in order to survive and adapt to the changes that climate change is going to have on our city,” she added.
