What an amazing turnout! So we kicked off the season of LOST Swimming with a HUGE turn-out… 40 swimmers!… on the first day… and we’re still in May! Incredible.
It was a great day, water conditions were probably the best I’ve ever seen for this early in the year… 58-60F (16C)… flatter than any pool you ever swam in… a bit of floating algae, but nothing to write home about… a whole school of keen LOST Swimmers!
We had 40 swimmers sign up on Saturday morning (thanks for bringing the forms all filled out and the exact change or cheque too)… and 13 people have already mailed their forms into Melanie… 53 swimmers on the first day?! wow.
I usually weave some kind of story about our swim, but I was cc’d on a letter by one of oldest swimmers… who also happens to be one of the new swimmers too, Aussie, John Gayford who I wrote a bit of a blurb on a few post ago (below). He wrote a letter to friends and family back in Oz that pretty much summed things up and seemed pretty bang on (except for the Mr. Kent part?… my dad wasn’t there?! 😉 )… so I’ll save myself some typing and let him tell you about it…
Thanks for the write up, John… and thanks to Lynn for the pics… Jackie for kayaking(!!!)… and Michael for helping with registration!
Cheers,
Rob
L.O.S.T – Lake Ontario Swim Team – JG’s first swim 26 May 2012
Background: Discovered the L.O.S.T – https://lostswimming.com/ and was immediately intrigued by the idea of people enjoying swimming in Lake Ontario – one of the colder Great Lakes. As a long time lake sailor I have seen very few folk swimming for pleasure in the lake. I always thought that I would become a complete Oakvillian by getting into as well as living next to and sailing over on lake. The Lake Ontario Swim Team provides the organization to fulfill that desire.
L.O.S.T encourages folks of all ages who aspire to a healthy active lifestyle to swim with them in a safe, nurturing and sociable way. The founder – Rob Kent – along with his family and volunteers meet members Saturday mornings at 8am at the foot of Navy Street in Oakville to swim in the lake for up to an hour, or more. Wet suits are good and those hardy souls without them are known as ‘naked’ swimmers!
The Experience: At 8am Members congregated along the shoreline while Mr Kent checked the water temperature. 16C is announced along with the comforting news that with a wetsuit feels more like 21C!
(Note – many LOST are definitively swimming extremists. Mr Kent is doing a 42.2 km Lake Ontario crossing to Oakville in August!!! Swimming a marathon!!)
Wetsuit on, I stood calf deep in the lake as the other 40 members calmly eased in. Nary a scream was heard because I was fully focussed on myself with thoughts of ‘Oh no something is clamped to my legs.’ Splashing water on my face helped to give advance warning that total immersion was going to hurt!! But as per Robs calming address, this feeling would soon turn into bliss!!
Keeping this in mind my first few freestyle strokes were hard! All my strength evaporated, and my breathe disappeared leaving my body in mild shock. Panic did not appear as I rolled onto my back to get my breathe back and – luxury – I was floating perfectly – thanks to the wetsuit!! This revelation allowed me to recall the advice to take it easy – you will be able to swim ok soon. The soon was after my breathing was balanced with the muscle exertion. This took 15 minutes – a little longer than expected. Room for improvement.
You may ask about cold. Rob was right on the money – this was not an issue – After 5 minutes I felt quite comfy if a little constrained by the tightness of the wet suit.
As I began to swim reasonably well, (thanks to Mette my coach at Oakville Masters training) a mermaid heading back swam by, looked at me and asked if I was ok. Now that’s very nice. Tami introduced herself and swam off. I followed and 10 minutes later arrived back at the start. Surprisingly I was content to stay floating in the 16C water very happy with my first Lake Ontario Swim with the Team.
The morning exertion was followed up lots of socializing on shore and coffee nearby.
Thanks L.O.S.T
Conclusion: Excellent. I feel great !!!
John G
