2020 Swim Season In The Northeast Kingdom
Courtesy of Phil White, Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association, Vermont.
Phil White, founder and visionary behind the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association announced, “We are looking out at another robust summer of open water swimming in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec in 2020. Once again, we are offering a full range of swims from 1 to 5 miles, to 10 km, 10 mile, 25 km, 25-mile and even 50-mile distances.“
Son of a Swim on June 27th. “A couple of years ago we moved the swim from Prouty Beach in Newport to The Clubhous and Derby Bay. We now swim out and around the islands. This is our kick off of the summer season. It’s a totally laid back start with distances of 2, 4, 6.5, and 10 miles. No buoys, no awards, just a swim, some patrol boats, and a BBQ back at The Clubhous. We like it that way. We’re re-naming this swim Lost in the Islands.“
Kingdom Swim on July 25. “Now in its 12th year, we will be the venue of the 2020 USMS Ultra Marathon Distance (10 Mile) Open Water National Championship. We also offer the Border Buster, a 25 km swim into Canada and back, as well as shorter distances of 1 mile, 5 km, and 10 km. It is a boisterous celebration of open water swimming for all ages and all abilities. Our Swimmers and Yackers Pasta Dinner at The EastSide Restaurant the evening before the swim is to die for, not to mention all the burgers and corn you can eat on the beach following the swim. Kingdom Swim has become the Flagship of over 15 days of swimming in Vermont each year.”
NEK Swim Week between August 8th and 16th with 8 lake swims over 9 days, totaling 46 miles, with options to double cross Lac Massawippi (making it 18 miles) and Lake Willoughby (10 miles) bringing the total distance to 60 miles. “Swim one or two lakes, or swim them all. Last year we were filled to overflowing, with 100 swimmers at Lake Willoughby and 40 or more swimmers at some lakes. It was a blast BUT…this year we are strictly limiting the number of swimmers at each lake to 30, We’re about half full already.“
In Search of Memphre in July, August, and September. “This is our iconic 25-mile, international swim between Newport, Vermont and Magog, Quebec. Last year we started organizing the swim slightly differently than we have in previous years. We now offer eight three day windows. We pick the very best day of the three to swim. Each window can accommodate 1 to 3 swimmers. We provide the motor boat and the pilot. Swimmer provides a crew member (or we do for an extra fee). Last year, all 8 swimmers successfully completed the swim. This year 8 Swimmer Scouts have signed up, with room for just a couple more, depending on the window. We are now accepting applications for 2021 as well, with two swimmers already grabbing slots.”
Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival between February 29th and March 1st with 90 swimmers already registered [see below]. “Registration closes on February 15th. We have room for just a few more.”
Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival Athletes:
1 Mindy Bowens (49)
2 Erin Churchill (38)
3 Robbie Bailey (50)
4 Robert Bailey (52)
5 Pam Ladds (70)
6 Greg O’Connor (51)
7 Jeremy Whelchel (36)
8 Karyn Stannard (45)
9 Rena Demeo (50)
10 Esme Kimber (13)
11 Blake Hargis (45)
12 Sam Levinson (32)
13 Qing Li (29)
14 Nadine Bennett (47)
15 Damase Olsson (50)
16 Seth Bornstein (63)
17 Karen Nazor (57)
18 Mary Stella (42)
19 Elliot Reed (39)
20 Louise Hyder-Darlington (59)
21 Amy Wierman (52)
22 Stephen Rouch (35)
23 Christopher Graefe (45)
25 Margaret Rivard (12)
26 Vera Rivard (15)
27 Josh Kalin (44)
28 Martha Wood (57)
29 Thomas Young-Bayer (40)
30 Edwin Greenfield (61)
31 Sharon Purdy (70)
32 April Ann Warrick (27)
33 Polly Madding (40)
34 Gigi Goesling (43)
35 Leszek Skibinski (55)
36 Maura McEnaney (62)
37 Ginny Peck (74)
38 Aimee Jones (38)
39 Christina Lorenson (47)
41 Codey Lybeck (26)
42 Mike Stannard (43)
43 Margaret Gadzic (41)
44 Ashley Wiese (40)
45 Bridget Williams (43)
46 Rick Born (57)
47 Elaine Howley (42)
48 Renée Morris (39)
49 Gabriel Deschênes (12)
50 Brette Langevin (30)
51 Karina Palmorino (43)
52 James (Jim) Loreto (47)
53 Laurie Craigen (42)
54 Amy Craigen (41)
55 Martin McMahon (57)
56 Kellie Latimer (34)
57 John Gale (63)
58 Josef Polcz (60)
59 Jennifer Mullen (32)
60 Janice Burton (56)
61 Janet Manning (56)
62 Anne McLindon (52)
63 Ted Hirsch (59)
64 Caroline Block (35)
65 Tom Heyerdahl (57)
66 Paula Miller (47)
67 Jeremy Grosvenor (50)
68 Erik Rieth (48)
69 Susie Nolan Loiselle (55)
70 Diego Lopez (38)
71 Sandra Dee Owens (59)
72 Derek Tucker (49)
73 Gigi Somerville (59)
74 Julie Zeitlinger (49)
75 Simone McKnight (33)
76 Patrick McKnight (53)
77 Anne Coen (77)
78 Daina Bouquin (30)
79 Marci Held (40)
80 Barry O’Connor (57)
81 Allen Evans (51)
82 Richie Eslawa (50)
83 Talbott Crowell (52)
84 Saranna Soroka (28)
85 Safet Feratovic (44)
86 Jennifer Grace (60)
87 Catherine Delneo (43)
88 Sean Postlewaite (53)
89 Kelsey Gross (29)
90 Heather Caputo (42)