She Swam Again! Maddy Spiering swims Sharkfest, this time with brother
Spencer, Michael and Maddy Spiering Photo submitted
Upon the conclusion of the Sharkfest last summer Maddy Spiering, now 13, told Lamorinda Weekly she was not sure if she would swim the race again. Well, a year later she decided to take the plunge into the icy Bay once more-this time bringing along her ten-year-old brother, Spencer, on the swim from the waters just off Alcatraz Island to San Francisco.
Maddy finished third in the 13/14 female group with a time of 58 minutes, five minutes faster than last year. The race also differed from her first experience because she swam it alone after swimming ahead of her father and brother. "In the beginning I had gone ahead of them but not more than 20 yards. I could turn around and still see them. Then I must have gotten too far ahead and I couldn't find them," Maddy said. Not only was Maddy separated from her father, she could not see the ship or the finish line. However, she problem solved quickly, "I just stuck to large groups and followed them." Maddy said she enjoyed this race much more than the last just because she knew what to expect.
Spencer finished second in the ten and under males group with a time of one hour and 13 minutes. "It was really fun and exciting," said Spencer. Although it was his first Sharkfest, Spencer said the hardest part was getting started, "I was a little nervous about jumping off the boat but otherwise I was confident." And unlike Maddy who might have been a little hesitant to commit to another year after her first race, Spencer was on board, "I really want to do it next year!" C. Graveson
Spencer in front of Alcatraz island Photo Michael Spiering
Maddy finished third in the 13/14 female group with a time of 58 minutes, five minutes faster than last year. The race also differed from her first experience because she swam it alone after swimming ahead of her father and brother. "In the beginning I had gone ahead of them but not more than 20 yards. I could turn around and still see them. Then I must have gotten too far ahead and I couldn't find them," Maddy said. Not only was Maddy separated from her father, she could not see the ship or the finish line. However, she problem solved quickly, "I just stuck to large groups and followed them." Maddy said she enjoyed this race much more than the last just because she knew what to expect. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA