There are few coaches who is push a more unlikely, but fiercely passionate, group of open water swimmers than Susan Simmons.

Coach Simmons has introduced, inspired, and gradually developed the Spirit Orcas into a formidable open water swimming pod in British Columbia, Canada.

She explains her latest adventure, “This summer the Spirit Orcas have their eyes set on swimming around Pender Island, a distance of 30 km. As part of this inspiring adventure they are participating in a life-skills training program that includes budgeting for the trip and raising the funds. On March 30th, they will be having a swim-a-thon at Crystal Pool to help pay for trip costs. Some will swim up to 10 km.

E-transfers for this program are greatly appreciated and can be sent to finance@spiritorcas.ca.”

Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Salish Sea in British Columbia. It is approximately 34 km² in area and is home to 2,250 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population.

Coach Simmons has organized and led a number of cold-water and marathon swimming expeditions for the Spirit Orcas in all kinds of locations throughout British Columbia. This year, she established the Spirit Orca Swim Masters Club for adults for physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Practices are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, led by Susan Simmons, Peter Kremer and Jasmine Kremer.

For more information, contact swimclub@spiritorcas.ca or visit spiritorcas.ca.

The life-skills program that Coach Simmons talks about is the Great Big Adventure Life Skills Program. She encourages many, “We are a community of adults with intellectual disabilities who believe in possibilities. For much of our lives we have been told no or that’s not possible for someone like you. The Spirit Orca Community Inclusion Project Society believes in us and says no to no and instead finds ways to help us achieve our incredible goals and participate in society in meaningful ways”.

Coach Simmons leads the following programs:

• Pool Swim Club – see here
• Open Water Swim Club – see here
• Swimming with Spirit Orcas – see here
• Great Big Adventure Life Skills Program – see here
• Spirit Orca Open Water Safety Program – see here
• Giving Back – see here

The Spirit Orcas has various pods depending on expertise and goals:

• The J pod is the Spirit Orcas long distance swim group with swim distances range from 10 to 15 km solo swims and 30+ km relay swims. J pod is currently training to relay cross the Strait of Georgia and hopes to attempt an English Channel relay. Members include Drew Sabourn, Aly White, and Ben Vanlierop.
• The K pod is the Spirit Orcas mid-distance swim group with distances ranging between 3 to 10 km solo swims and 30+ km relay swims. K pod is currently training to relay cross through Hunter Channel in near Waglisla (Bella Bell) off the central coast of British Columbia in the traditional territory of the Heiltsuk First Nation and the Great Bear Rainforest. They include Cheyenne Furlong-Goss, Dixon McGowan, Meliah Motchman, Maria Sharock, and Lidia White.
• The L pod are future Spirit Orcas in training and include Lisa Newell.

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