Five women from Ontario are attempting to make history—by swimming the length of Lake Ontario. The ladies, ages ranging from 18 to 61, will undergo the swim relay of 305km over the next five days.
Their epic journey began at Kingston, and wraps up in Burlington on Saturday.
While the women are all stellar swimmers in their own right, Colleen Shields, 61, Nicole Mallette, 48, Samantha Whiteside, 23, and Rebekah Boscariol, 18, have teamed together for the swim across Lake Ontario.
Alone, each woman has managed a solo swim of around 50km, yet according to an article in the CBC such a relay across the length of Lake Ontario has never been achieved.
The real challenge for the women is not the distance but the temperature. The team has been training in the Lake since June to get their bodies used to the chilly waters.
"We started off training in 54 degree [12 C] water," said Mallette. "Take your shower that you normally have, put it on cold and multiply that by 10." Brrr, indeed.
The women are braving goosebumps and teeth chattering galore for a good cause. Proceeds from the swim will go to Because I'm a Girl, a charity promoting gender equality and girls' rights. If the Speedo fits... These aren't the only swimming superstars who made waves.
Wishing you the best of luck! We're behind you all the way (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Printer-friendly version