re: Swimming across the Mississippi River in south Louisiana

Can someone explain all the dangers involved to us non-coonasses?

We swam in the river in the 60s and held on to logs to float downstream a bit. The current was too strong to try to go across. I wouldn’t try it.

My dad and some buddy’s used to water ski b/t the old bridge and new bridge

Back in the older times the river was t dredged like it is today.

I heard stories where old timers walked to almost the middle of the river in certain spots and it was maybe neck deep for a 6ft tall person.

Again, that was in the 1940’a or before that.

My great uncle Emmanuel did it in 1910. He and three friends aged 14-17 hopped in the water near the French Market on a dare. The oldest boy at 17 outswam them all and got way ahead of the pack. My great uncle was the smallest and last in the pack and about halfway through he thought he wasn't going to make it. He just kept looking at the shore and not letting it out of his sight. He saw the oldest boy disappear and resurface three times (bobbin like a cork) never to be seen again. He and the others just laid on the shore for an hour not saying anything. He died at 94 years old a retired dentist. As told by his sister- my Grandmother.

LoL, I bet you swam out the beach by Fort Jackson a time or two.

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a woman did it in New Orleans a few years ago.

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Not everyone survives doing that though: LINK.

"She swam for approximately 100 yards, began to struggle against the current and the wake from a passing boat, screamed for help, and then sank."

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Also that water is cold even in August.

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How cold? I can't imagine it's below 60.

Right now, near Baton Rouge it's almost 70 degrees.