PBS: Interview with Doug McConnell

PBS interview with Doug McConnell about the Chicago River Swim

Doug McConnell talks about the Chicago River Swim on PBS. Doug McConnell has swam in New York’s Hudson River, the Boston Harbor and even the English Channel. Now he wants to make a splash in his own city. An excellent video interview where you will learn almost everything you need to know about the Chicago […]

Open WaterPedia

Doug-McConnell-swimming-the-Ka’iwi-Channel

Open WaterPedia Read Open WaterPedia biography of Doug McConnell, who became the 48th person over the age of 50 to swim across the English Channel in 2011. McConnell is a Managing Director of Halyard Capital Advisors and a cervical disc recipient who successfully completed a crossing of the English Channel in August 2011 and the […]

Plan for fall Chicago River swim on hold

Lone swimmer

Plan for fall Chicago River swim on hold McConnell and Don Macdonald wanted to organize a 2.4-mile open-water swim in the Chicago River in September. But the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events informed the team last week that the swim would need to be postponed, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The new target for […]

City delays plan for open-water swim in Chicago River by at least a year

swimmers

City delays plan for open-water swim in Chicago River by at least a year Efforts to organize an open-water swim in the Chicago River this fall will be delayed by at least one year. Doug McConnell said convincing the departments of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Transportation and Fleet and Facility Management, among others, to […]

Pantagraph: City delays fall plan for open-water swim in Chicago River

Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chicago

City delays fall plan for open-water swim in Chicago River Doug McConnell said convincing the departments of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Transportation and Fleet and Facility Management, among others, to permit swimming in the water was tougher than he anticipated. The new target for the swim, from Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown and […]

Open-Water Swim in Chicago River Delayed

WTTW Chicago Tonight photo Chicago River

Open-Water Swim in Chicago River Delayed Open-Water Swim in Chicago River Delayed, New Goal September 2020 A bold plan to get hundreds of swimmers into the Chicago River remains docked until at least next year. Co-organizers Doug McConnell and Don McDonald had hoped to host a 2.4-mile open-water swim in the river in September. But […]

Doug McConnell talks about a planned swim in the Chicago River

Toni Preckwinkle jump into cChicago River - WTTW photo

Doug McConnell talks about a planned swim in the Chicago River Doug McConnell has swam in New York’s Hudson River, the Boston Harbor and even the English Channel. Now he wants to make a splash in his own city. McConnell, of Barrington, and co-organizer Don Macdonald, of Chicago, are in the final stages, they hope, […]

An ‘Open Swim’ in the Chicago River is in the Works for September

Boats on Chicago River

An ‘Open Swim’ in the Chicago River is in the Works for September “Nobody in their right mind can [imagine] actually swimming in [the river],” McConnell said. “But if you look at the numbers, it really has improved to the point where you can [safely] have direct exposure.” That’s true, at least most of the […]

WGN Radio interview: Want To Swim In The Chicago River?

chicago-river-swim-end

Want to Swim in the Chicago River? The Chicago River Swim event spear-holder, Doug McConnell, talked with John Williams of WGN Radio about the event. There is a charity component to this event, benefiting ALS Research (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.) A Long Swim is an open water swimming venue that uses peer to peer fundraising to […]