A group of Americans, very close to the border in Canada, are organizing a 14.5 km swim on Lac Massawippi in the Eastern Townships of Québec.  Race organizer Phil White of the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association explains, “The event has been part of our NEK Swim Week since 2013.

This year, the Massawippi Swim will be on August 4th. 

But we are renaming this swim The CAN-USA-Ukraine Unity Swim.  The event costs US$450. Additionally, this year we will support an 128.9 km double crossing for an additional donation of US$1,000. All funds raised, after expenses, will be donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. This Foundation has been supporting Ukrainian causes since 2014 and the invasion of Crimea.

We will encourage swimmers and kayakers to stay in Canadian lodging for the night and to savor the food in Canadian restaurants and pubs and to hoist some Canadian beer and spirits.   It is a small way to show our understanding and support.

It may not be much.  But it’s what we can do.  And we know we are not alone with our voice. We join a growing chorus. As one old union song throated, ‘Drops of water turn the mill. Singly none.’  We will join the drops and turn this mill. We encourage Canadian and US swimmers to join us and show your support for our Canadian and Ukrainian friends.“

The event is part of the 8-lake NEK Swim Week 2025:

• 8 km Crystal Swim on August 2nd
• 6.4 km Island Pond Swim on August 3rd
• 14.5 km CAN-USA-Ukraine Unity Swim on August 4th
• 10 km Lake Seymour Swim on August 5th
• 6 km or 12 km Echo Lake Swim on August 6th
• 10.4 km or 19.3 km Lake Memphremagog – Clubhous Swim on August 7th
• 8 km or 16 km Willoughby Swim on August 9th
• 4.8 km Caspian Swim on August 10th

Photo above shows Kevin Sullivan swimming from Ayer’s Cliff Beach to North Hatley on lac Massawippi, escorted by kayaker Patty Sullivan.

For more information, visit here and register here.

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