For most people, spending seven hours in open water sounds unimaginable.
For Jean Kogut, it’s a chance to give back.
On July 25, the Tusten Social board member will dive into Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont, to swim 10 miles as part of the Kingdom Swim, an internationally recognized open water event. It’s the longest swim of her life, and she’s hoping it will raise $10,000 to support Tusten Social’s free community programs across the Upper Delaware River region.
The swim marks the third year Kogut has turned an endurance challenge into a fundraiser for the nonprofit. But this year, she’s pushing herself farther than ever.
“It’s kind of like training for a marathon,” Kogut said. “It’s just a little bit at a time.”
Months of preparation have meant steadily increasing the length of her swims, spending long hours in the pool, paying close attention to nutrition, getting enough sleep and preparing for the unique demands of open water.
Unlike swimming laps in a pool, marathon swimming requires constant fueling. Every 30 minutes, Kogut stops briefly to eat and drink while her husband, Jay, paddles alongside in a kayak serving as her support crew.
“You have to eat and drink water every half hour to keep yourself going,” she said. “Someone has to remind you to drink, otherwise you get dehydrated.”
Wind, currents and changing water conditions add another layer of challenge.
But Kogut says the biggest test isn’t physical.
Knowing she’s swimming on behalf of her community changes everything.
“I put this all over social media. Everyone knows I’m doing it. They all gave me money,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t have a choice. I have to finish.”
More seriously, she says every donation becomes motivation when fatigue sets in.
“It really feels like everyone’s in the water with me,” she said. “They’re in my head the whole time. It feels like I have a whole team behind me.”
That sense of community is exactly what Tusten Social works to create.
Founded in 2023, the nonprofit develops free programs aimed at addressing social isolation and strengthening community connections. Those offerings include after-school programs for children and teens, Sage Sessions for older adults and other community activities designed to bring residents together.
“We’re a community-funded nonprofit organization,” said Greta Knutzen, Tusten Social’s co-founder and board president. “We exist to identify gaps in the social infrastructure in our community and surrounds.”
Keeping programs free is central to that mission.
“I think one of the biggest issues is the economic issues around where we live,” Knutzen said. “Having free programming just means that everything we do is accessible to everyone.”
Fundraisers like Kogut’s are essential to making that possible.
“It’s just critical,” Knutzen said. “It’s donations to support efforts like this and grants that keep us going. We wouldn’t be able to keep our doors open otherwise.”
Knutzen says Kogut’s willingness to spend months preparing for a seven-hour swim reflects years of dedication to the community.
“Jean has always embodied what it means to show up for your community,” she said, noting Kogut’s involvement with numerous local organizations over the years. “She always shows up and delivers.”
Kogut, however, is quick to shift attention away from herself.
“I would rather swim 25 miles than have to listen to people sing my praises,” she said with a laugh.
Instead, she says the fundraiser has connected her with other swimmers throughout the region, many of whom train in the Delaware River or at local pools.
“The more you throw something out there, you talk about a hobby or an interest, you find people with similar mindsets,” she said. “It’s been really inspiring for me to meet other swimmers in our community.”
The swim itself will require nearly seven hours of concentration.
To pass the time, Kogut breaks the race into smaller segments between nutrition stops. Sometimes she mentally plans home improvement projects. Sometimes she thinks about work, friends or family. And sometimes she simply sings Def Leppard songs to herself.
“You have to trick your mind into thinking of something else,” she said. “Otherwise you’ll just focus on the endurance part of it.”
As of her interview with Radio Catskill, the fundraiser had raised just over $3,100 toward its $10,000 goal.
If the goal is reached, Knutzen said the money will directly support Tusten Social’s programming throughout the coming year, including its fall after-school programs for children and teens and its ongoing Sage Sessions for older adults.
For Kogut, every mile—and every stroke—serves a purpose beyond the finish line.
“It really feels like everyone’s in the water with me,” she said.
Image Credit: Jean Kogut