Penticton athlete to swim for Canada at Gay Games
Former Ironman to compete in 2.5-km swimming event
Longtime Penticton resident and retired Ironman John Archer will spend a good portion of his honeymoon next month, competing in the Gay Games in Paris.
Not only will Archer be enjoying his honeymoon in one of the world’s most romantic cities, he will also experience the thrill of competing against athletes from all around the globe. Archer is no stranger to competing. As a lifelong swimmer, he began taking sports seriously at the age of 60 when he participated in his first Ironman.
“I had volunteered with Ironman for some time before I actually decided to do one for my 60th birthday,” he said.
“I will be representing Penticton, Okanagan Valley, B.C. and Canada in the Gay Games,” said Archer on Friday, just prior to swimming 100 laps at the community pool.
Swimming both in Okanagan Lake and the community pool is all part of his training leading up to the Games that take place from Aug. 4-12.
Archer is swimming a 2.5 km race in the 60-69 age category.
“I think there are about 60 of us in that particular race. Overall, there are 10,000 participants in the entire field of events, which, as you may well imagine, will be one hell of a party.”
Around 100 participants are from Canada, Archer said.
“I’m looking forward to talking to people from different countries to hear their experiences,” he said. “The games are going to be a cultural experience, full of parties and competition.”
He also paid for a competitor to join the games from an impoverished country.
He’s hoping his participation will be an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community.
“Perhaps my taking part in the Games will inspire others throughout Penticton to get active and enjoy sports and see where they can go from there.”
Sport has opened his world to experiences he never thought possible.
“When you are passionate about something and stick with it, you never know where it takes you. And it’s so rewarding,” said the 67-year-old.
“I never thought I’d swim between two continents or swim from one island to another in the Caribbean with sharks under me, but I did.”
In 2015, he competed in the world’s only intercontinental swim.
Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait, which marks the separation between Europe and Asia, and makes the Turkish city the only one in the world that spans two continents.
It was a 6.5-km swim with more than 2,000 competitors.
“Set a goal for yourself and never give up. It helps with self-esteem and keeps you positive,” said Archer. “I’ve found when I’m focusing on a goal, it keeps you out of the negativity and bullying you may be experiencing.”
Along with physical training, Archer said mental training is important too.
Three times a week, Archer walks from town to the top of Carmi at the hairpin turn at Joy Road, where he visits his friends who own Joy Road Catering.
Archer married his long-term partner Doug Bertz at the public art gallery this March in front of a large crowd. The couple are longtime volunteers there.