Sports

Photo: Grant Scott

West Kelowna's David Dimitrov was the first to complete the 64th Annual Across the Lake Swim on Saturday.

Under cloudy skies, over 500 swimmers hit the waters of Okanagan Lake Saturday morning for the 64th running of the Across the Lake Swim.

The event dates back to the 1949 Kelowna Regatta when the 2.1 kilometre swim was added to the Regatta's roster of aquatic events.

With a lake temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, conditions were good for the swimmers as they began the swim shortly after 8:00 a.m.

22 minutes and 18 seconds later, West Kelowna's David Dimitrov was the first out of the lake despite swimming slightly south of the finish line before correcting his path and heading to shore.

The 20 year-old member of the Liquid Lightning Swim Club was one of the favourites heading in to the race after missing out by mere seconds on qualifying for the London Olympics.

Photo: Contributed

Hundreds of spectators and volunteers were on hand for the race.

"There was four of us from Liquid Lightning that went to Olympic Trials this year and two of us placed fourth in each of our races. It was really close, we were a couple of seconds off making the Olympic team."

Far from discouraged, Dimitrov points out that he'll be 24 years-old in 2016, which is the average age for male Olympic athletes.

"In four years it looks very promising."

There will be no time for Dimitrov to rest on his laurels however, as he'll be leaving for the Summer Nationals in Edmonton on Wednesday to competed for medals in as many as seven events.

He also hopes to return in 2013, not only to repeat as champion but also to try and establish a new course record.

"I'll definitely be back. It's a great event and the whole swim community in Kelowna comes out. It's nice to come out here and see everyone and be a part of the community."