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Lake
Erie
Swim
Lake Ontario Swim
July
2 - Qualifying Swim/Lake Erie Crossing Update
Hi everyone:
Just a quick update on the Y Knot Marathon. I completed my 4 mile qualifying swim on Canada Day from the Town of Bath to Amherst Island. We got off to a rough start, literally. The first two thirds of the swim we were battling 1 1/2 meter swells and strong winds. Once I got into the lea of Amherst Island, the water was calmer and I had the benefit of the waves and current pushing from the rear. It took me 2 hours and 20 minutes to finish. As I arrived on shore I was greeted by a crowd of about 200 people. It was pretty awesome to see such wonderful
support. I was really thrilled to see a great group of seniors called
the "News Hounds" at Hallowell House in Picton at the end of my
swim. They came to see the end of my swim with my brother Brian and my sister in law , Faye. Thanks guys. That is certainly one of the benefits of living in a small, caring
community. It makes my swimming so much easier when I know that people care about what we are setting out to accomplish. Many of the kids that we are working hard for came on one of my five support boats and helped to cheer me on. It was great to have them out on the lake with me. Bottom line is they are what the swim is all about!! My fellow Fire Fighters from the Amherst Island Emergency Services hosted a barbecue, Cow Paddy Bingo and a 50/50 draw. Through all their hard work they helped to raise $1,000 for the Y Knot
Marathon. Vicki and I are very thankful to work along side these dedicated community volunteers. Members of the Association also put together the Y Knot Marathon float that our kids with special needs rode on in the Bath and Amherst Island Canada Day parades. These youngsters had a great time. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity of working with them. Please go to our web site at www.amherstisland.on.ca and click on Y Knot Marathon if you would like to see more information on my qualifying swim and see some of the pictures from the start to the end at Amherst Island.
My Lake Erie swim has been postponed from July 5th to our new target date of July 10th. This change was made mainly due to the American long
weekend. My American crew will be celebrating the holiday and the boat traffic is expected to be very
heavy. Once we have confirmed that Lake Erie is a "Go", we will let you know. Vicki and I really appreciate all of the support you have given us.
Cheers
John
July
1 - Qualifying Swim
John completed his qualifying swim for the Y Knot Marathon on July 1st. It started at Centennial Park in the Village of Bath at 2:55 pm. He proceeded to the north shore across from the Amherst Island Public School and arrived at 5:15 pm. The water temperature remained at a constant 18 degrees Celsius throughout the swim. For the first 2/3rds of the swim, John was battered by 1 1/2 metre swells moving him east along the shore as he tried to swim in a south easterly direction. Once in the lea of the island, the waves calmed significantly.
Ted Gow (near kayak) & Vicki Keith
(far kayak) accompany John on his Canada Day swim.
John did not let the waves get the better of him. He swam strongly throughout the event stopping only a few times to tread water and thank the boaters who came by to wish him well. John was also thrilled with the support that he received out on the water, where he
was accompanied by two Kayaks, 3 large power boats and 2 sail boats. In some of the boats, the young people with special needs accompanied him and shouted out words of encouragement as he swam.
A crowd of close to 200 people waited for him on Amherst Island, and their voices could be heard out across the water encouraging him in. When John walked up onto the shore, the awaiting audience could not believe how fresh he looked. Many commented on the speed at which he finished and how they were expecting him to look "at least a little tired." John spent the next hour speaking with the crowd and thanking them for their support. A celebration and BBQ were held at the finishing point, directly following the completion of the swim. Thanks to the efforts of the Amherst Island Emergency Services, $1000.00 was raised to support the Y Knot marathon.
Additional pictures can be found in the photo
gallery.
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