FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 31, 2024
Victoria, BC – The Spirit Orcas, a group of open water swimmers with intellectual and physical disabilities, are looking to add a swim around North Pender Island to their list of achievements.
Between June 14th and 15th a group of six athletes (Drew Sabourn, Aly White, Dixon McGowan, Maria Sharock, Meliah Motchman and Lisa Newell), will begin their swim at Theives Bay, just outside the Orca Interim Sanctuary Zone, and swim north up and around the island relay style. They will end their swim at Poet’s Cove on the South Pender.
The Spirit Orcas have opted to exclude the ocra Interim Sanctuary Zone on the North Island as they do not want to interfere with the orcas’ feeding patterns and wish to leave them at peace.
Throughout the 20 kilometer plus swim the Spirit Orcas are expected to swim in waters ranging from 10 – 14 Celsius (without wetsuits) and encounter varying conditions along the way. Supported by a crew of experienced pilots, kayakers, safety swimmers and their Coach Susan Simmons, the team hopes to complete the swim in under 12 hours and become the first known group to swim this route.
“There are some interesting challenges along the route” said Simmons. “Outside of any anxiety the Spirit Orcas my feel around swimming in waters frequented by orcas, the waters off the northern tip of the island experience standing waves and the narrow canal between North and South Pender can push the swimmers backward if the timing is not just right.” These are uncharted waters for the team.
The Spirit Orcas also face a number of challenges not common in the Open Water Swim community including autism, Downs syndrome, anxiety disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Epilepsy, blindness amongst others. They have not however, let that stop them. To date they have completed relay swims in Lake Cowichan (35 km), Gunboat Pass and Hunter Channel in the Great Bear Rainforest (25 km and 20km), and an 80 km staged swim from Brentwood Bay to Colwood.
For more information please contact Susan Simmons.
Susan Simmons
778-678-7356
Hello Orcas, this is Alison. I met you at Hope Bay as you went for your evening swim today. I must tell you that it was an unexpected privilege to meet such a group of amazing and accomplished athletes and individuals – I wish you all the best of luck with your swim around North Pender Island next weekend. You are all inspired and inspirations to others – thank you for that gift. We will be cheering for you on this swim and all your other endeavours. Best of all luck, Alison, Dave, and Mister Gibbs