Aerin Bowers - Christina Lake

South to North

18.45 km (11.5 miles)

7 hours, 0 minutes on 12 September 2020

Observed and documented by Shanna Tanabe, Ali Meredith, Andrea Winckers

First

Contents

Swimmer

  • Name: Aerin Bowers
  • Gender: female
  • Age on swim date: 45
  • Nationality: Canada
  • Resides: Rossland, British Columbia, Canada

Support Personnel

  • Shanna Tanabe - observer / boat pilot
  • Ali Meredith - observer
  • Andrea Winckers - observer
  • Robin Hethey - kayaker
  • Sue McBride - kayaker
  • Elaine Klemmensen - kayaker
  • Rob Klemmensen - kayaker

Escort Vessel

Name Type Port
unnamed Bayliner 185 Christina Lake

Swim Parameters

  • Category: Solo, nonstop, unassisted.
  • Rules: MSF Rules of Marathon Swimming, without exception or modification.
  • Equipment used: textile swimsuit (Q Swimwear My New Mixtape Classic Strap), goggles, silicone cap.

Route Definition

  • Body of Water: Christina Lake
  • Route Type: one-way
  • Start Location: Christina Lake Provincial Park Beach (49.043101, -118.220100)
  • Finish Location: North end of Christina Lake (49.202570, -118.294430)
  • Minimum Route Distance: 18.45 km (11.5 miles) (map)

History

No known previous swims of this route.


Swim Data

  • Start: 12 September 2020, 07:10 (Pacific Daylight, America/Vancouver, UTC-7).
  • Finish: 12 September 2020, 14:10:51
  • Elapsed: 7 hours, 0 minutes, 51 seconds.

Summary of Conditions

Feature Min Max
Water Temp (C) 18.5 22.2
Air Temp (C) 12 26
Wind (kph) 3 8

GPS Track

Trackpoint frequency: 30 minutes. Download raw data (CSV).

Click to expand map.

Speed Plot

Nutrition: 250 ml of nutrition drink every 30 minutes after the first hour. Mix of Perpetuem and Hammer Gel. Water every hour. Hammer Electrolyte drink at 3.5 hours.


Observer Log

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Swimmer Statement

by Aerin Bowers

What inspired you to do this swim?

I swim in Christina Lake regularly, and it’s one of my favourite lakes. I was supposed to travel to Zurich, Switzerland for the Sri Chinmoy swim in August, but a worldwide pandemic had other plans for me! I adjusted my travel plans and my training, and set my sights on swimming the length of Christina Lake instead. I was inspired to be able to include my close friends, who often support my training and my crazy ambitions. I also wanted to complete the swim in honour of my father, who passed away in September 2019. This swim is dedicated to him.

Please describe how you planned for the swim.

With pools closed since early March, I adjusted my training plan for lakes. I was able to get in the lake in late April, adjusting to the cold in longer and longer increments. I swam at least 4 times a week, with average training distances of 4 – 6 km on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a longer 10-12 km swim on the weekends. I did a 10 km prep swim in Christina Lake in August, and then a 15 km swim in Anglin Lake, Saskatchewan in late August. I gathered my support crew together and created a plan for the day, which was executed perfectly.

How did the swim go, generally? Did you face any unanticipated challenges?

Physically and mentally, the swim was excellent. The water was the perfect temperature and I felt great throughout. The biggest challenge was the forest fire smoke in the air, which was hazy at the beginning and as thick as a cloud by the finish. The air quality was terrible as the smoke settled close to the water.


Photos

Click to enlarge.


Video


Media

Nelson Star: Rossland resident Aerin Bowers completes 19-km swim along Christina Lake

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