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Munro Swim
CKWS Newswatch

August 6, 2003

LONG DISTANCE SWIMMER JOHN MUNRO IS READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE. HE'S JUST WAITING FOR MOTHER NATURE TO GIVE HIM A SIGN. MUNRO IS READY TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE....SWIM FROM SACKETT'S HARBOUR, NEW YORK TO KINGSTON, AROUND THE WESTERN TIP OF WOLFE ISLAND. AND AS NEWSWATCH'S CHRIS HARVEY TELLS US, HE'S TAKING THE PLUNGE TO HELP OTHERS.

JOHN MUNRO IS IN SHAPE AND IS RARING TO GO. EARLY NEXT WEEK THE RETIRED POLICE OFFICER AND HUSBAND OF MARATHON SWIMMER VICKI KEITH WILL HIT THE WATER IN SACKETT'S HARBOUR NEW YORK AND EMERGE AT KINGSTON'S CONFEDERATION BASIN MORE THAN 24 HOURS LATER. AND IT'S ALL TO RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS.

JOHN MUNRO:
" THE SWIM IS ABOUT RAISING MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR PROGRAMS WE'RE DEVELOPING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINGSTON FAMILY YMCA. WE'RE DEVELOPING SUCH SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, MARTIAL ARTS, TRACK AND FIELD AND BOCCIA.."

MUNRO WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THE SWIM FROM NIAGARA ON THE LAKE TO TORONTO BUT THE WATER THERE IS TOO COLD. AND BESIDES, KINGSTON IS A PERFECT FIT.

JOHN MUNRO:
"SIMPLY BECAUSE MY SUPPORT TEAM IS HERE, THE YOUNGSTERS ARE HERE AND CAN COME DOWN TO THE END OF THE SWIM. THE YMCA IS HERE. SO SOME REALLY COMPELLING REASONS TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT DOWN AT THIS END."

MUNRO WILL SWIM IN AN ARC AROUND THE WESTERN TIP OF WOLFE ISLAND, LEAVING AT 7 IN THE MORNING AND ARRIVING IN KINGSTON 24 TO 27 HOURS LATER, ARRIVING AT CONFEDERATION BASIN BETWEEN 9 AND NOON THE NEXT DAY. AND HE'LL BE STOPPING EVERY TWO HOURS TO EAT.

JOHN MUNRO:
"I'LL TREAD WATER WHILE I'M EATING, I'LL BE CONSUMING REALLY HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE KINDS OF FOODS LIKE RICE PRODUCTS AND PUREED FRUIT, POWER AID KIND OF DRINKS. ANYTHING THAT'S EASILY DIGESTIBLE." MUNRO HAS ALREADY CONQUERED LAKE ERIE IN HIS PUSH TO RAISE 77 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE PROGRAMS AT THE "Y". HE SAYS NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THIS KIND OF SWIM BEFORE, BUT THAT'S A SIDE ISSUE.

JOHN MUNRO:
"IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SWIM, IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE KIDS. AND THAT'S THE EXCITING PART FOR ME IS HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF THESE YOUNGSTERS, BECAUSE THESE PROGRAMS REALLY ARE LIFE CHANGING."

CHRIS HARVEY, CKWS NEWSWATCH, KINGSTON.

THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAS DELAYED THE SWIM.
DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER, HE'LL HIT THE WATER MONDAY , TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.