Since 1997 Gordon Miller, longtime Cape Cod National Seashore lifeguard has organized Park Service and other lifeguards to provide safety on the water during the Swim for Life. At one event be recalls a tired swimmer who hung onto the back of his board as he paddled to shore and they discussed James Joyce’s epic novel, Ulysses. With a degree in English literature and a masters in philosophy, Gordon was in heaven.
“This is an exciting event and I want to give back to the community,” he states enthusiastically.
This year he will receive the David Asher Volunteer Award at the 31st Swim for Life, set for September 8 at the Boatslip. The awards ceremony, set for 1:00pm (or after the last swimmer arrives safely on shore) is open to the public. The community is also invited to greet the swimmers arriving from Long Point beginning at 11:30 am, and to partake of the Mermaid Brunch at noon.
Gordon was born in the small town, Bolivar, Tennessee, named after the famous South American revolutionary, Simon Bolivar, into a family of eight siblings. His dad owned a grocery store and his mother was a civil rights activist. He became fascinated with the opportunities site of working at various national parks while in college, beginning with his first summer gig at Arcadia National Park in Maine. He started lifeguarding at the Seashore in 1985 and now supervises the north district, which includes Head of the Meadow, Race Point and Herring Cove beaches, with over 20 lifeguards.
To assure a stable crew of workers, the Seashore provides housing and even includes an extra week of housing for lifeguards who stay to work at the Swim.
During winters, Gordon spends time in Maui, Hawaii, where for years he worked as a dorm councilor at the oldest colonial school east of the Mississippi, Lahainaluna High School. This unique and expansive campus overlooking the ocean began as a Christian, missionary boarding school in 1831.
Business sponsors of the 2018 Swim for Life include: the Provincetown Banner (media sponsor), Seamen’s Bank (lead sponsor), and the Lobster Pot Restaurant, Far Land Provisions, Boatslip Resort & Beach Club, Fanizzi’s Restaurant, Harbor Hotel, Berta Walker Gallery, Cape Air, Bay State Cruise, Art’s Dune Tours, WOMR 92.1 FM, ProTools and Seashore Point.
The Swim funds a wide range of community organizations that include: AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, Soup Kitchen of Provincetown, Provincetown Rescue Squad, Lower Cape Ambulance, Accessible Provincetown, The Compact Community Fund, Provincetown Schools, West End Racing Club and Cape Cod Children’s Place.
Swimmers, boaters and volunteers are welcome. Swimmer and boater registration begins at 9:00 am on September 8. We are particularly looking for any size motorboats to provide back up to swimmers and kayakers on the water. Swim 2018 t-shirts, designed by Ellen LeBow, are available at Seamen’s Bank in downtown Provincetown. For more information go to www.theswim4life.org or jay@thecompact.org
