Ponies Will Have A Late Swim Today

CHINCOTEAGUE -- A gentle, cool breeze is saving the thousands of spectators at today's 85th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim.

The ponies swim at slack tide -- the time between high and low tides when the current is absolutely still. Officials from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co., which owns and maintains the herd and organizes the event, announced to the large crowd at 10 a.m. that another hour and a half, possibly an hour and 45 minutes, still awaits.

But the high temperatures and high humidity of last week are gone, replaced by a comfortable, sunny morning and a cool breeze that is keeping the day bearable.

While a large crowd waits behind a orange snow fence, others frolic in the water of Assateague Channel. Earlier this morning, with the tide low, the shoreline was covered by mud. Now, with the incoming tide, it is rising and many are standing chest deep in it.

Thanks to the breeze, few seem to mind the wait.

"Everybody has a good time," said Roe Terry, public relations officer for the fire company.

www.delmarvanow.com