European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 18, 1981, Darmstadt, Hesse                                January 1981 the stars and stripes Page 3 Rhine dip crazy 325 believe not it May seem but there Are at least 325 people in West Germany whose Conception of fun is to take a wintry swim in the Rhine this year exactly that Many swimmers took part in the sixth International new years Rhine River swim sponsored by the Rheinland Pfalz Branch of the German lifesaving the annual swim is traditionally held on the third saturday in january and covers a distance of five Miles Between the towns of Bienheim and the oldest participant was 61 and the youngest reinforcing the International aspect of the us Reurs 8th inf div sent its 12th Engineer in to lend a supporting hand by providing bus transportation for the swimmers and a Crane to launch safety boats into the there were no bikinis to be for the participants were mainly reasonably copied the typical surfer and scuba diver attire the wet in the photo the main body of swimmers takes off from Bienheim As a River freighter hovers in the background and cooperates by making no Waves to disturb the River snorkels and face masks augmented the wetsuit attire of some of the swimmers photo at in the lower left one swimmer gets a helping hand near the finish line from a passing and at one of the swimmers drip dries As he starts his Auto ride Home from the Stephanie James