Hello!
If you haven't already heard, we made it across the Strait of Georgia. Well, Caryn made it all the way, Kaylynn jumped in about every other hour to swim with Caryn. Caryn swam more than 35km on July 20th, and Kaylynn swam about 20km.
Our swim was planned for July 19th, and at about 5:20 am on the 19th we set out to our start site. In the inlet where we were moored overnight, the water was as smooth as glass, but once we were out on the strait, we were bouncing around in 3-4.5ft waves with the wind at over 25 knots. We were forbidden to get in the water...and headed back to Secret Cove for the day. It was a really disappointing day for us, but also for our crew. Everybody was rather quite sad. When you work so hard and so long for one day, and you have brought so many people together for a single moment, it is really disappointing to have to face the fact that the swim might not happen.
However, on July 20th, the engines of the Temptress were started again, and we set off for Trail Islands at 5:30 am to make attempt number 2. It was still pretty wavy, but they were smaller than on the 19th, maybe 2.5ft-3ft. The skies were grey and it was drizzling a little bit, but we jumped in anyway. With Trevor and Kaylynn's Mom in the dingy, we set off headed for Nanaimo. The biggest problem was that when you are swimming in between the swells, you can't see the land markers that you are headed for. But we managed to keep somewhat on the right direction, despite getting swamped a few times in the waves and spun around a bit like a toy top.
Thankfully, as the day went on, the Strait smoothed out. I think we were both a little surprised at how warm the Strait was where we were swimming, normally after 45 minutes in the ocean we could no longer feel our hands. Despite the warmer than expected ocean temperature, Caryn's body temperature at the end was 32 degrees C...
I think it is safe to say that this is one of the hardest things that either of us have done, but also probably one of the most rewarding. You learn a lot about yourself when you are pushed to your breaking point, because when you are swimming, it is just you and the ocean.
If you haven't already heard, we made it across the Strait of Georgia. Well, Caryn made it all the way, Kaylynn jumped in about every other hour to swim with Caryn. Caryn swam more than 35km on July 20th, and Kaylynn swam about 20km.
Our swim was planned for July 19th, and at about 5:20 am on the 19th we set out to our start site. In the inlet where we were moored overnight, the water was as smooth as glass, but once we were out on the strait, we were bouncing around in 3-4.5ft waves with the wind at over 25 knots. We were forbidden to get in the water...and headed back to Secret Cove for the day. It was a really disappointing day for us, but also for our crew. Everybody was rather quite sad. When you work so hard and so long for one day, and you have brought so many people together for a single moment, it is really disappointing to have to face the fact that the swim might not happen.
However, on July 20th, the engines of the Temptress were started again, and we set off for Trail Islands at 5:30 am to make attempt number 2. It was still pretty wavy, but they were smaller than on the 19th, maybe 2.5ft-3ft. The skies were grey and it was drizzling a little bit, but we jumped in anyway. With Trevor and Kaylynn's Mom in the dingy, we set off headed for Nanaimo. The biggest problem was that when you are swimming in between the swells, you can't see the land markers that you are headed for. But we managed to keep somewhat on the right direction, despite getting swamped a few times in the waves and spun around a bit like a toy top.
Thankfully, as the day went on, the Strait smoothed out. I think we were both a little surprised at how warm the Strait was where we were swimming, normally after 45 minutes in the ocean we could no longer feel our hands. Despite the warmer than expected ocean temperature, Caryn's body temperature at the end was 32 degrees C...
I think it is safe to say that this is one of the hardest things that either of us have done, but also probably one of the most rewarding. You learn a lot about yourself when you are pushed to your breaking point, because when you are swimming, it is just you and the ocean.
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| Our Life Boat/Food Boat/ Encouragement Crew/ Paramedic Station |
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| Captain Hugh and First Mate Jane |
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| The Dingy Captain and Paramedic Trevor |
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| Kaylynn's Mom and Swimmer Feeder |
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| Caryn swimming in the smooth ocean near the end |
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| Just keep swimming... |
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| Baby Food Break |
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| Almost there!! |
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| We did it! |
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