A dynamic and very daring group of swimmers dove in to Lake Ontario a few days before Christmas to mark the solstice in the most appropriate way any swimmer can! Bill Eadie documented the experience with some excellent shots. With temperatures hovering between 2 and 4 degrees, the crew of 11 swimmers swam between 20 to 40 minutes. They were grateful for the air temperature of 6 degrees that made it doable. “Swimming at sunset days before Christmas was beautiful and surreal,” said Coach Ayesha. She was joined by Karl Bonar, Dianne Davis, Lisa Fitzgibons, Mark Gilbert, Silvie Kuppek, Kelvin Landolt, Kate Moore, Laura Pus, Chris Smelt and Jocelyn Stephenson.
Perhaps the bravest swimmer or the bunch was Coach Kelvin who swam without a wetsuit! Recounting his New Year’s Day dive in as well, Coach K insists: “In a wetsuit or without, swimming at Cherry Beach is remarkable at this time of the year. We did Jan 1 at 10:30 AM—the closest to 0c (actual freezing) we’ve ever swum!”