ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Retired Judge Robert Beach is 88 years old.
Sawyer Hansen is 7 years old.
On Sunday at 9 a.m., the swimming superstars will race each other at St. Pete’s North Shore Aquatic Complex to raise money for charity.
The public is welcome to cheer them on.
“It’s the judge versus the juvenile!” says Sawyer.
“We will swim for one hour starting at 9 a.m.,” says Judge Beach. “It’s the total distance over the course of that hour. We’ll see who wins!”
Sawyer’s mom Rebecca is the facilities supervisor at North Shore. The judge swims there every day.
When he heard how the young man was raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the senior swimmer challenged the junior swimmer to a fundraising race.
So who’s the favorite?
Sawyer is fast, a prodigy who’s been swimming basically since he was born. He has been raising money through swim events for almost as long.
Judge Beach is steady.
A few years ago, ABC Action News covered the longtime Pinellas County Circuit Court judge when he swam the infamous waters around Alcatraz.
Judge Beach thinks Sawyer will win.
The boy agrees.
“I want to taste that gold medal!" says Sawyer.
For more information on the fundraiser, click here.
