The Pony Swim from an Inflatable Boat

Take Your Inflatable Boat for Island Sightseeing and Water Fun!

Every year, about 40,000 people come together to watch the swimming of the ponies on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Crowding together on the Chincoteague shore, adults and children of all ages strain to catch a glimpse of this unique yearly spectacle. After about three minutes, the big event is over, and the crowd scatters a bit to pursue different activities like bidding on the ponies at auction, going to the Wild West Show, or attending the Fireman’s Carnival.

Although there’s no doubt that the swimming of the ponies is a lot of fun, many people don’t bother to attend. After all, being packed into a small area with a lot of other people on a hot summer’s day is not an ideal form of recreation. If you own an inflatable boat, however, you have another option available to you – watching the swimming of the ponies from the water.

What’s So Special About the Pony Swim?
Wild ponies have lived on Assateague Island, Virginia, since the 1600’s. Some people believe that they swam to the island after surviving the shipwreck of a Spanish galleon, while others believe that colonists used the island as a safe place to graze their herds. However they arrived on Assateague, these beautiful creatures became wild and free, living on the grass that grows on the island’s dunes. This restricted diet produced small, sturdy ponies.

However, there is a disadvantage to this location – Assateague, Virginia is a small island, and it simply cannot support a large pony herd. Meanwhile, neighboring Chincoteague Island also had a problem – a huge fire that devastated the town showed how poorly equipped their fire department was. These two problems dovetail beautifully into an elegant solution: every year, the pony herds are gathered up and brought to Chincoteague Island by swimming them across the Assateague Channel. Some of the younger ponies are auctioned off and the proceeds are donated to the fire department. The rest are returned to their island home.

Viewing the Pony Swim from Your Inflatable Boat
There aren’t many wild horses left in America, and Chincoteague’s Pony Swim is an exciting way to see these unusual creatures up close. However, the heat and the crowds can make the conditions less than idea – unless you bring along your canoe, kayak, or small pontoon boat. Some of the top reasons why you will enjoy the pony swim better from your inflatable boat include:

  • Beat the Heat in Your Canoe or Kayak
    Freed from the press of the crowd, you can enjoy the cooler temperatures on the water while you watch the big event. If the sun’s heat gets to be too strong, you can always jump into the water for your own swim.
  • Escape the Crowds in Your Inflatable Boat
    Chincoteague Island is never more crowded than on the day the ponies swim. Although they try to manage the crowds well, you are still trapped amidst thousands of people in a very small area. Usually you are waiting for hours under the hot sun. If you prefer to have room to stretch out and to move around as you wish, taking to the water in your inflatable boat is an excellent idea.
  • Spend Your Time Productively in Your Small Pontoon Boat
    While others might arrive hours early in order to stake out their chosen spots on the beach, you won’t have that kind of rush. Sure, you might want to get out there early – but that’s so that you can spend your time fishing, crabbing, or enjoying the water, not being packed in more tightly by the hour.
  • The Best Possible View of the Ponies is From Your Boat
    It’s unlikely that you will find a spot that will get you as close to the wild ponies, or that will give you such an unimpeded view, as on your boat. You won’t need to worry about seeing through the hat that the woman in front of you is wearing, or jostling for a place where your six-year-old can see the horses.

For an amazing adventure, pack up your inflatable kayak, canoe, or small pontoon boat and head down to Chincoteague, Virginia for the annual Pony Swim. The event is held close to the end of July every year.

About the Author:
Andrew Thomas is a successful author both on and off the Internet. He is a regular contributor to best-inflatable-boats.com.

Submitted by: Andrew Thomas