posted September 12, 2005 09:32 PM               

We found ourselves the same Friday Pathfinder's CL 16 was being pummeled by gale force winds and falling trees scheduled to cross Lake Ontario from Toronto to Grimsby to join up with the swim. Although the lake didn't look too bad, the winds were very strong. The view north was intimidating though, with the northwest skies looking like a black abyss, punctuated by lightning bolts. We were to cross with a Hunter 44 towing 2 Zodiac support craft. We considered driving the boats around that evening on trailers but the highways were flooded.

A Lake swim is planned a year in advance so the coach (known as the Swim Master) is not likely to abandon the attempt to cross until the last possible minute. No matter what the weather, the support boats must be ready to go on Saturday. We opted to wait until Saturday morning. Lynda and I drove the 2 Zodiacs to Ontario Place, left one with the Hunter, and then headed out onto the lake to join up with my Brother's boat where we would tow the motorboat to Grimsby (South side of Lake Ontario). The wind was still strong and the amount of debris washed into the lake from the storm was astonishing. We had to push trees out of the way to get into the harbour. Driving around floating trees, picnic tables, parts of houses was like navigating a mine field. The mud coloured high waves made it difficult to see all this flotsam.

Two Racers driving to weather with us off of Toronto as we head to Grimsby.

We joined up with my brother a mile or two out. The trip to Grimsby was straight into the wind but after 4 hours of pounding the wind began to drop off. As we approached the beach at Grimsby, the waves began to settlebecause the breeze is offshore on the south side.

The 2 sailboats act as support for the swim crew: One navigates and leads the swimmer (the Hunter). We carry food and extra spotters and feeders and keep close alongside the swimmer. The larger sailboats become the refuge for everyone if a storm hits in the middle of the lake. So what he have between 2 boats are 20 swimmer support crew and 6 sailors to bale them out if things get tough on the lake.

One Zodiac has the Swim Master and who never takes his eyes off the swimmer. The other inflatable is the feeding boat. Boat drivers and feeders are relieved every 3 hours where they are taken to the sailboat to rest and eat. With wind and current going the right way the swim was to take approximately 16 hours.

Grimsby is too shallow to take a 36-foot sailboat so we anchored off shore using the Zodiacs to pick up supplies and support people from the beach.
Support boats anchored off Grimsby

Zodiacs loading supplies and crew at the beach.

Anita Morrow with her Coach just before starting. Her Coach has done several English Channel swims himself.

A few moments to reflect.

Lynda driving the Swim Master who keeps a close watch on Anita.

Except for a bit of rain, the night was beautiful. Water calm and warm. Coast Guard announces regular “Securite” warnings to keep freighters informed of swimmer in the water. Anita swims on with amazing endurance and strength.

The early hours throw us two additional challenges: The wind switches to the northwest and increases so Anita is now punching right into the waves. Furthermore, The gale force winds of the day before had pushed the lake water to the west but now it's flowing back east adding over a knot of current in the wrong direction. After 16 hours of swimming when we should be in site of Oakville we find ourselves only a quarter of the way across. Our feisty swimmer cannot make enough headway into the current. The Swim Master abandons the attempt.

You would think after 16 hours of swimming Anita would be depressed. She would have loved to have made it but has proven to herself she can swim the time it takes to do a crossing in normal conditions.

Lynda at the helm after a full day (and night) in the Zodiac.