Before a new swim course can be attempted, adventurous swimming pioneers must first investigate unprecedented swim courses. Sometimes, they need to explore for days, weeks, or months – repeatedly – to find a challenging, but reasonably safe, course.
Susan Simmons and her colleagues Aly White and Ben Vanlierop of the Spirit Orcas just did that this summer.
They went on a reconnaissance trip to Haida Gwaii, a very remote place off the northwest coast of Canada that overlooks Alaska. Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago off British Columbia. It is rich with wildlife with remote islands, a temperate rainforest, and beautiful beaches.
Simmons explains, “It took 3 days to get to Haida Gwaii. Aly and Ben joined me as we tested the water for future swims. This is a very special place with evidence of people dating back 15,000 years. The Haida are water people. We were able to learn of some of their traditions including using cold water for resilience.”
Simmons’ reconnaissance reports and videos are posted here. Below is one example:
After her initial reconnaissance, Simmons reflected, “When I first thought about swimming in Haida Gwaii, I wanted to be the first person to complete a marathon swim. I carefully planned three potential routes. After spending a close to a week there however, my goal changed. It changed for two reasons.
The first reason was the around the idea of being the first. When you visit a place where the ancestors, in this case Haida, are known to have been in the territory for 12,000 to 15,000 years, you quickly realize that it is highly unlikely you will be the first to do anything. There is a high probability that someone did it a long time ago and it was not recorded or claimed in the way modern day athletes like to record and claim things.“
So true. A humble nod to our open water swimming predecessors of long ago.
Simmons continued, “The second reason, which ultimately became the deciding factor for both swims, was one of legacy. As an athlete with a disability (Multiple Sclerosis) I wanted my legacy to be one of firsts and world records. This however changed in Haida Gwaii. What I would like to be remembered for is the impact I have on those around me. I want to make the lives of others a little brighter, particularly when it comes to the lives of people with disabilities.
Aly and Ben, two Spirit Orcas, were with me on this trip. It didn’t take me long to realize that my relationship with them, and our being together, is of far more value than me being the first modern day athlete to swim a marathon in Haida Gwaii. I wanted them to experience the water with me, and for us to share the joy together.“
Learn more about their explorations in Haida Gwaii here.
© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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