The Y Penguins aquatic club have set up a plan to do what some might think is impossible; swim the length of lake Ontario.
The Y Penguins aquatic club is a team based out of Kingston, Ont (a town on the north-eastern corner of the great lake), which is a partnership with the local YMCA. The Y Penguins are unlike most swim teams however, their primary focus is specifically swimmers with disabilities.
Since the creation of the team in 2001, coach Vicki Keith has truly shaped her club into one of the best training locations designed specifically to fit disabled swimmers. Swimmers of all levels are able to train with the team, which also boasts a competitive environment for the swimmers’ able-bodied siblings to train.
The team was inspired as they watched a group attempt to cross the 305km (189.5 miles) distance and become the first people ever to swim the length of the lake. People have swam the width of the lake, but to swim from Kingston, Ont. to Hamilton or Burlington, Ont. is quite the feat.
The team was preparing their descant into the cold waters of lake Ontario on July 14th, but due to an inversion which will drop the temperature of the lake to un-safe temperatures, they’ll be postponing their swim until August 16th.
There have been a total 58 people to complete swimming the width of the lake (north to south), but this performance will be a world record upon completion.
The Y Penguins have been training for this event for some time now, first training in the pool while creating lake-like experiences, and then moving to the lake which will be all too familiar with them come August 16th.
To follow their mission, the Y Penguins have set up a Facebook page titles “The Great Lake Adventure” which shows updates mixed with the option to donate to their cause.
To view the page click here. To follow the Y Penguins on twitter for updates click here.
A local station in Kingston put together a short video about the swim which can be found here.