This weekend, nearly 50 swimmers waded into Georgian Bay for the inaugural Collingwood Terminals Open Water Swim.
A local swimmer and part-time coach, Dorothy Kosciuch, came up with the idea, thinking an open water swim would be perfect in Collingwood. She is a part-time coach and swimmer on the Georgian Bay Squall Masters Swim Team (formerly Collingwood Masters Swimming).
The swim team hosted this year's event, and has committed to running three annual open swims, with the intention of holding the Collingwood Terminals Open Water Swim for "as long as possible," according to team member Nancy Black.
On Aug. 28, swimmers covered distances of one, three, and five kilometres.
"For some, it was the first time participating in an open water event," said Black.
The local open water swim event was officially hosted by CanAqua Sports with Georgian Bay Squall as a partner. The swim is part of the CanAqua Swim Series.
"It was a success," said Black, noting recipients received a medal, and a bathing cap and event t-shirt to commemorate the inaugural swim. The event will return next year, with a possible addition to make it a swim-run.
Georgian Bay Squall supports the charity Georgian Bay Forever.
"While the swim teams plans to train and compete in the beautiful waters of the bay, it also feels a responsibility to keep it that way," said Black.
Georgian Bay Squall Masters Swim Team is accepting registrations for the next season, with training offered for different levels of participation from fitness, stroke improvement, competition, triathlon, and open water. Visit georgianbaysquall.ca for more.
