By Maggie Beamguard
On Saturday, Sept. 26, Sandy Golding dove into her life-long love and Lake Auman, completing a solo swim to raise more than $2,000 for cancer research.
Golding participated in Swim Across America, a nonprofit that organizes swimming events nationwide to raise money for cancer hospitals and research centers. Her fundraising will benefit the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.
On the same day as Golding’s swim, Swim Across America organized a pool swim at the Koury Natatorium on the campus of UNC. In addition to organized events, the organization encourages participants to swim virtually.
This year, Golding completed a virtual swim, setting out at 7 a.m. from Johnson Point. She swam toward Pine Island, circled the island counterclockwise and returned to her starting point. By the time she finished, she covered 3,700 meters, approximately 2.3 miles, in two hours.
The conditions made for a particularly challenging return. The sun rose around 7:15 a.m., bringing wind and choppy water with it. Golding’s kayak escorts also had to work to keep pace against the headwind.
Her husband, Keith Golding, and friend Chris Myers, a fellow Seven Lakes West resident, accompanied her by kayak. Resident Steve Reid documented the swim from a distance.
Special approval from the Seven Lakes West Lake Committee and Board of Directors allowed Golding to make the crossing. Community lake rules generally restrict swimmers to within 50 feet of shore.
Golding’s connection to swimming began in childhood. Because her mother could not swim, she encouraged her daughter to learn. Golding swam at the neighborhood pool and joined the local swim team. Later, after moving near a California ski resort, she discovered the joys of playing in a lake.
She returned to competitive swimming at 23 as a United States Masters Swimmer and began participating in open-water events about a decade ago. The appeal, she explained in a 2023 interview, is the opportunity to slow down, swim longer and experience the adventure of being on the water.
“People often ask what I think about as I am out there swimming,” she said. “This year I had to work very hard, so there was less time to ponder life. Much of my time was spent being careful not to take in water and to stay strong. I sang a few praise songs and hymns with good beats.”
This was Golding’s second virtual Swim Across America event in Lake Auman. She completed her first in 2023, swimming a different route. “God willing,” she said, “I will be up for the challenge again in a few years.”
By participating in Swim Across America, Golding puts her passion to work for a cause that touches many lives.
“I’m so glad I was well prepared and strong enough to get her done,” she said. “Thanks to my crew and their sacrifice and to my loving Lord who hems me in as I do what I love.”
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
