2 months from the finish...

This past year has been one gigantic roller coaster ride.  It is hard to believe we are 2 months away from the swim!  It has taken countless hours to get to where we are today.

This endeavor has made me face a number of fears that makes completing the swim in itself a stressful task.  Stepping outside my comfort zone has been very challenging.  Asking for help has to be one of my weakest attributes; to ask for help, to ask for someone to believe in me and my passion to help others scares me more than anything I face in the waters.  It has been discouraging to read yet another annual drowning report to see that drownings are still increasing year over year.  Not to mention the doubt of skeptics :(  Yet despite the challenges I face, the discouraging statistics and the doubt I encounter I am prepared to continue to pursue this event to help promote drowning prevention and to promote water safety!  Whether Mother Nature cooperates this go around or not, whether I make it 42 km's or 75 km's I believe it is better to do something to help than nothing.  I am certainly not saying any sane person needs to tackle swimming across a lake to promote a cause but to persist and to overcome adversity.

Even when it is hard, seeing this quote every day helps to keep that optimism.  We can all be a part of change.  Prevention = Life

Swim with a buddy
Stay within arms reach
Wear a lifejacket
Stay clear of fast moving bodies of water
Take lessons
Prevention = Life

80 days

Yup, this is the countdown.  It has begun.  80 days to go until I am scheduled to push off from the shore of Harbor Beach Michigan and make the swim across Lake Huron.

Admittedly hearing there is still ice in Lake Huron is slightly frustrating!  We will hold on and see what this summer will bring.  Despite this, training is well under-way and just scheduling in the open water dates brrrrrr!

Spring like weather on the way!?!

If the weather man is right, we just might have some above freezing temperatures this weekend! Could this be the end of this never-ending winter?  Hopefully the ice on the water ways starts to melt!

That being said, although it may be a great weekend to be outside enjoying some walking trails, make sure you keep children and pets away from all water ways!

Did you know that drownings in the winter/spring accounted for a quarter (27%) of drownings through out the time frame 2005-2009.  Where are people drowning, 6 in 10 are lakes/ponds/rivers/creeks. Drownings are occurring during non-water related activity such as walking near water or ice. (Canadian Drowning Report, Lifesaving Society 2012).

Remember prevention = life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well I certainly have a lot to be thankful this past year.  Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect and express gratitutde to those in our lives. 

My family has been a HUGE support to me over the past year, although they do not always understand me they are passionate in their support.

The crew, many of whom I only met a few short months ago, has been so patient and dedicated to the swim.  I am truly in awe of their commitment to the cause.  It is their dedication that pushes me through the water. 

SEALS Swim to Survive fans and followers, you are so important and integral for the success of the message.  You are the doers who can implement best practices at your facilties; you can put preventative meaures in place at your homes; you can take your kids to learn to swim together; you can chose to stay safe in and around the water; you can spread the message and be influencial in others lives.  We can all be the face of change by taking the proper steps to educate ourselves and our loved ones.  Prevention = Life!

Future SEALS Swimmers, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting some young swimmers this summer who have been following the progress of the swim! I am so thankful to have their support, and to be an inspiration to those who inspire me!  Our future lies in the youth of today.   I wish them all the best as they grow and become influencial people in our communities.  I love the saying "it takes a village to raise a child".  Let us all make wise choices for our children, and keep our communities safe!

Over the next year I will continue to post tips about water safety, training progress and lake crossing information so please check back in!

 

2014 Lake Huron crossing date to be announced!

Funds raised to date...

Thanks to you we have raised $6,061.00 to date for Swim to Survive training!

 

Did you know with funds raised so far just over 200 children will receive FREE Swim to Survive life skills!

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more to come on SEALS Swim to Survive!

25 km Lake Huron Shoreline Swim - August 5th 2013

A successful completion!

Due to rough waters the night before we experienced a delayed start on Monday August 5^th; our crew assemble approximately 1 km off shore from Bayfield to start the swim to Goderich at 7:00am.   It was a brisk summer morning, air temperature far below average, and water temperature fluctuating between18-21 degrees Celsius (66 – 69 degrees Fahrenheit).  Throughout the swim I took 12 feeding breaks and had my core temperature read 4 times.  I completed the 25 km solo swim shortly after 2:00 pm, with a recorded time of 7 hours 5 minutes.

I am an advocate of being safe and responsible in and around the water, given the set of circumstances I had in front of me I had to make a responsible decision.  I am happy to say that although we didn’t complete a Lake Huron crossing this summer, no one’s lives were at risk at any point during our shoreline swim.  Our captains and crew gained valuable experience to make our crossing in 2014 that much more successful!

 

 

75 km Lake Huron Crossing UPDATE

I have been preaching over the past 6 months "know your abilities, know the dangers" this weekend I have to take my own advice.

It has been a year worth of planning for the 2013 SEALS Swim to Survive Ultra-marathon Solo Swim Across Lake Huron, this season's weather and water conditions have not been favourable for our scheduled dates & back up dates.

The swim is to promote drowning prevention which includes the responsible planning and action to keep safety first for swimmers and boaters alike.

Knowing my abilities and the imminent dangers countered with limitations to re-assemble all boats and crew on our 5th attempt to reschedule, the decision has been made to postpone the Harbor Beach to Goderich crossing to 2014.  

The Captains and Crew have been outstanding throughout the roller coaster we have been on.  We have amazing people that all want to be part of a successful event to promote safe and responsible water and boating practices. 

With the excitement still arise our boaters and crew have committed to an altered plan which will have the SEALS Swim to Survive Team complete an Ontario shoreline swim from Bayfield to Goderich (25 km) on Monday August 5th, 5:00am start time with an anticipation of reaching Goderich beach by 2-3pm in the afternoon to waive our Lifesaving Society flags proud of a right and responsible decision.

We all look forward to a more favourable Lake Huron in 2014!

Sincerely,

Lesley Burton Zehr