Other Swims

Georgia Strait Swim   This took place on July 3rd 2010.  For an account of this incredible swim – the same distance as the famed English Channel swim – from  VOWSA’s very own Jim Close, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.     

62nd annual Across the Lake Swim

 

* The days are getting longer. * The water in the lake is getting warmer. * Summer is coming! It is now time to think about one of the best things to do during a warm summer morning: Swimming across Lake Okanagan! The 62nd annual Across the Lake Swim is held here in Kelowna, BC, on July 17, 2010. With a lot of work being done by the newly founded Across the Lake Swim Society, the directors and volunteers are confident that the 2010 edition will be our best and safest event ever. A long-standing tradition, this event has always left all swimmers smiling and with a feeling of accomplishment, whether it is their first or 20th time crossing the lake. We would like to invite you to be a part of this event! To ensure a safe event, we will be capping entries at 450 this year. A few highlights for 2010 include:           

  • Our big, bold and beautiful beach towel – one for each registered participant (http://www.acrossthelakeswim.com/news/ta-da-the-brand-new-custom-atls-beach-towel
  • Optional souvenir t-shirts
  • A great (and full) goodie bag
  • Two houseboats to ferry participants to the start line
  • More Finish line entertainment for the whole family
  • Online: Twitter race updates at http://twitter.com/atlskelowna and water temperature

 

  Registration is now open at www.acrossthelakeswim.com. Our website also has information on the history of the swim, results, sample open water swim workouts and Gyro Swim Loop info. Speaking of which … We will be hosting open water swim clinics and time trials again at the Gyro Swim Loop (an 800m measured course at Gyro Beach) starting June 5, 2010 (until mid August). In addition to the 800m loop, we have added another (measured and marked) swim option, the Manteo Mile (a 1300m out-and-back course), providing training distances for everybody. The open water swim clinics will be led by qualified coaches, introducing or reinforcing special skills and tactics for swimming in the lake. The clinics are followed by time trials – an opportunity for everybody to swim the established 800m Gyro Loop for time and with other swimmers. Registration is at 6.45am ($5 fee for insurance), followed by the open water swim clinics and the time trials.   Please visit our website at www.acrossthelakeswim.com and invite your friends and family to cross the lake with you this July!         

  We are looking forward to seeing you on the beach!         

  The ATLS Directors         

THE OPEN WATER DOWNHILL CHALLENGE         

LOCATION: Penticton River Channel and Skaha Lake Park, Penticton, BC
HOSTED BY: Penticton KISU Swim Club
COURSE: 6km – full Channel – 8am start. 13&Over swimmers ONLY for the full 6km swim. 3km – half Channel – 8am start.     

 VKSC  1KM and 3KM OPEN WATER CHALLENGE.  This event will take place at Kin Beach/Okanagan Lake in Vernon, B.C on July 24th.  It is our 2nd annual open water event so we could  really use your help to spread the word!  If you could, it would be so much appreciated if you could pass the attached race/registration info on to your swimmers, parents, Masters Club and anyone else you may think would be interested.  Westsuits are optional, medals awarded for each age group and gender, door prizes, free t-shirt if registered before July 10th and free breakfast for all participants.  12 and under eligible for 1KM race only. Race info at  www.vksc.ca   under meet info.”OWS meet info” …..Registration $(30.00-35.00) Register at: http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/vernon_kokanee/   We invite and welcome you to our event!     

Other Events:

 

If you are aware of any other local or interesting Open Water swims please contact us so they may be included.         

Other Links

     An account of the July 3rd 2010 Georgia Strait swim, by Jim Close:

 

On July 2nd, 2010, 6 of us and our support crew were meeting at Drift Wood Inn in Sechelt contemplating our swim across Georgia Strait, part of the newly named, “Salish Sea”.  As we looked out from Davis Bay that night toward the distant shores of Nanaimo, our landing point being Pipers  Beach, we were all very excited  contemplating  swimming the  30 + km , the same distance as the  famed English Channel  Swim.  

 We were swimming with two solo swimmers, English Channel Rules, no wetsuit  and only grease, grease being a combination  of  Vaseline and Lanoline. Four of us on the relay team in wetsuits and  access to a nice warm sail boat  after our one  hour in the water, were going to have it easy.   When we arrived at the beach on Saturday morning, July 3rd,  the first thing we observed  was all the tugs  heading for  safe coverage with their log  booms, not a good sign.  The water  was very choppy and a balmy 16 degrees.   The two solo swimmers, Rod Craig and James Monk  accompanied by  Mike  Stamhuis  started  the swim at about 7:20 am. The first three hours were very rough  and had many of the relay team wondering if we would ever make it across the strait. Fortunately for me when it came my turn to swim the seas had begun to calm. That made my first leg of the relay a little easier.  

  Our crew consisted of three boats, a Boston  Whaler, skippered by John Defoe,  for the two solo swimmers and their mentor/coach Brent  Hobbs and his young son Connor.   Brent,  a successfully  ‘English Channel Swimmer’  offered endless  encouragement to us all during the entire crossing  The relay team  was following  a sailboat  skippered by Chris Falk and Lee-Eniss.  We had a third  high powered boat with us jus incase a medical emergency should occur.  

  The seas calmed and we began to make much better progress. Wendy Burton the sister of one of our relay team member , Bill Burton, tweeted our progress all the way across the strait.  As Rod Craig is scheduled to swim the English Channel this year our swim was being followed by all the other English Channel swimmers for this year.  The local TV network for Vancouver Island  was also following our swim. They showed-up at the end of the swim  to see us come a shore and do a couple of interviews.  

  As the  swim progessed the seas became rougher again. The wind and the waves were more consistent. This meant we could swim up one side of the wave and surf down the other side.  About seven hours into our swim the solo swimmers began to get a little separated so we made some adjustments.  Brent jumped in and swam with  Rod Craig  and  Mike  started to swim with James. Mike and James were now being  supported by our rescue  boat. By this time the solo swimmers were being feed water bottles of energy drinks every  15 minutes.  

  The relay team Bill Burton, Claire Both, and myself  were  now in the water, as Pipers’ Beach was only about  1 km away.  At this point one of us told James we were only about 1 km from shore . Being  a former competitive  swimmer he immediately sprinted for shore. Being the senior of the group I was the last out of the water. James and the relay team reached the shore 9:35 after leaving Sechelt . A very respectable time considering the water conditions.  This time makes James the second fastest time to complete this swim without a wetsuit. Rod  finished  15 minutes later.  We are all wishing him a successful  “English Channel Crossing “ latter this summer.  

  On shore not only was there the local media but a contingency of my family, my sister’s and various members of their families, waiting to meet us all.  

  The ending to this amazing day was a great sail back across to Sechelt. (Check out my big  smile on the sailboat).  

  This was a great adventure for me. I am truly grateful for all the support from my family and friends and hope you enjoy the photos and brief account of this truly amazing  adventure.