Lake monsters ready for English Channel

A number of swimmers from the Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC) will soon be on their way to England as the team prepares to swim across the English Channel.

Photo: Contributed - Angelique Duffield

Five members of the Okanagan Masters Swim Club will attempt to cross the English Channel later this month.

Five members of the club will attempt to cross the channel from Dover, England to the finish near Calais, France. At this point the span of the channel is 35 kilometres, but strong ocean currents and tides could push the distance to over 45 kilometres.

The team, made up of Canadian Masters record holder Mike Stamhuis, Phred Martin, Denise Cesselli, Tracey Sutton and Leora Dahl, is called the OMSC Lake Monsters and will swim as a relay team.

In order to prepare for what could be a very cold swim (wet suits are not allowed), team members have been swimming 12 times per week in the pool, Okanagan Lake and the Kettle River.

The Okanagan Masters Swim Club is for adult swimmers 18 years and older. It’s main focus is to promote fitness for life through swimming. You can find more information on the group’s website.

They are also raising fund for the YMCA’s Y Strong Kids Campaign which enables children and families to participate in sports. Donations can be made in the Lake Monster’s name.