Diving in the deep
It’s early Sunday morning and many have yet to rise when 49 endurance swimmers wade through the cold waters of the Northumberland Strait, before plunging right in, as a crowd gawks from the shallows.
There’s only a breath of wind rippling the water as they slip from sight and shore, followed closely by support kayaks and safety boats along the Confederation Bridge from Cape Jourimain, N.B., to the wharf at the end of Beach Road in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.
Nicole Langille, director of operations for Give to Live, the charity that hosts the annual Big Swim, said Mother Nature was on their side.
“Last year we had to cancel because of the thunderstorm, but this weather is probably the most ideal for the swimmers,” she said, noting safety is their mantra.
“They started at 7 this morning and went in three waves. And it’s around 14 and 17 kilometres, depending on the tide and current.”
Swimmers can take five to eight hours to complete the Strait.
“Give to Live was founded 11 years ago based on the premise of inspiring people to live a healthier Wendy and Shawn O’Connor travelled from New Brunswick to follow their daughter, Colleen, in the Big Swim. Colleen was accompanied in the water by their son, Brendan, in his kayak.
and happier life through generosity, achievement of something extraordinary, and exercise,” said Todd McDonald, co-founder of Give to Live. “We aim to change people’s lives, one person at a time, and we run these events three or four times a year.”
Shawn and Wendy O’Connor travelled from New Brunswick to follow their daughter Colleen, who was accompanied in the water by their son Brendan in his kayak.
“Colleen is a very determined
young lady and her brother is a very good coach. They make a good team, and this year they have GPS trackers so we can follow each swimmer online,” said Shawn, while gazing across the horizon in his binoculars.
“But when we drove across the bridge and saw the expanse of the water, we gasped,” added Wendy.
In March, Colleen started swimming 350 metres and worked her way up while juggling medical school.
“She’s pretty thrilled at raising
money to send children to camp at Brigadoon Village, and this event has brought the whole family together,” said Wendy. “We’re very proud of her.”
Colleen was pulled out for hypothermia, but recovered quickly in the kayak and dived back in the water determined to complete the swim for the worthy cause.
Brigadoon Village provides camp programs for children living in Atlantic Canada with health conditions and
other life challenges.
“Brigadoon is now the largest pediatric illness camp program in the country,” said David Graham, executive director of Brigadoon Village.
“It hosts more than 725 children at our facility that we built in 2010 in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.”
The Big Swim this year raised more than $160,000, which will give 160 children the opportunity to attend one of the 14 summer programs at the camp.