[KarlMalone]

The original Naked Goddess reveals details about Oregon City's nude moonlight swim

On Saturday night at 9:30, around 60 women – Naked Goddesses all – will disrobe and swim under a full moon at Oregon City's Clackamette Cove.

What started as a lark among a small group of dedicated female distance swimmers last year saw a sudden surge of interest in 2014.

Organizer Janie Malloy, expected maybe 20 participants this year. Malloy stopped accepting applications after 60 women registered.

"I have no idea who signed up," Malloy said.

As she prepared for the big dip, Malloy, a West Linn real estate agent, took time to answer some questions about the Naked Goddess Swim.

So, the Naked Goddess Swim. How did it come to be?

I started it last year. I'm not exactly sure how it came about. A group of my girlfriends from the Portland Triathlon Club train at the Cove. We were just joking around.

We'd done full-moon swims wearing bathing suits and someone joked about being naked goddesses. I thought it would be hilarious.

I ordered commemorative swim caps and decided everyone would wear robes until they entered the water. We held the first one last year and had 10 or 12 women participate.

Why naked?

Just because. No other reason. We just thought it would be funny. It's not pervy at all.

How many women will be in the water?

Last year we had about a dozen. This year I was hoping for a whopping 24. I was surprised by the response. I had to cap it at 60. With that many swimmers, safety is a big concern.

Have you taken any Goddess protection measures?

We're going to have a professional lifeguard – female – on shore. An Oregon City police officer will be present. Then there are the Kayak Gods.

Kayak Gods?

We have five kayakers who will be responsible for different groups of swimmers. Two of them are husbands of swimmers. Another is a male doctor. The other two are women.

Do the Goddesses swim in circles or what?

Yes and no. It depends on each swimmer's ability. There are four levels of goddesshood: Frolicking Goddess, Water Nymph, Esther Williams and Dangerous When Wet. (Williams was a world-class swimmer and a movie star. "Dangerous When Wet" was one of her films.)

Beginners will stay close to shore. The most experienced will swim the Cove's perimeter, about a mile.

Are you concerned about Peeping Toms?

If we find a Peeping Tom, he's going to be dealing with 60 pissed off Naked Goddesses. He may be eliminated through natural selection or at least qualify for a Darwin Award. Otherwise, I expect everyone to behave herself and be proper goddesses.

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