Interesting! I know that the group called Riverkeeper monitors the river for fecal bacteria, and usually concludes that most of it is safe for swimming, except after rains. The percentage of Hudson River locations that fail the Riverkeeper tests in dry weather is no different than ocean beach locations.
There are some organised and even competitive swim events in the Hudson; but I am curious about ordinary recreational swimming. I don't have the desire or the skill to participate in organised events; but I can swim and I like to splash around. I just wonder if it is possible to jump into the Hudson and have a dunk or two just as I would in the Atlantic Ocean down at Coney Island or Rockaway.
This Sports Illustrated article claims that "contrary to popular belief, recreational swimming in the Hudson is not illegal"; yet I always see "No Swimming" signs posted at the waterfront. Doesn't this mean that the City has rules against it? I think about this mainly when I am on the Hudson River Greenway up in Harlem, where the bike path runs right next to the river lapping up on the rocks.
When I am near the water's edge, it typically looks and smells alright; but of course there is the matter of microbes that you cannot see. However, as I mentioned above, the tests run by Riverkeeper usually come back good.
Last week I was riding up and down the Hudson coast on the New Jersey side, and I passed a little corner in Hoboken where a couple were sitting with their two boxer dogs. One of the dogs just waded into the river and started paddling around. I thought: if he can do it, why can't I?
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