Nothing stops a dedicated group of Sooke swimmers from completing their daily dip.
“We’re in the lake five days a week, whatever the weather,” said Ina Winterburn, one of seven women ranging in age from 50 to 76 years of age who participate in a one-mile swim at Kemp Lake.
Winterburn is in her second year with the group that takes to the water, whatever the conditions are, from April to November.
“It takes about 40 minutes to complete the mile around lake,” Winterburn said. “Lots of people who have cottages at Kemp Lake know us and some join us for a swim in the summer. Safety is a key, and everyone swims with a Swim Buddy flotation device.”
Last Saturday marked the 100th time the group has taken the plunge together this year. They raised a toast at a picnic table near the lake to acknowledge the milestone.
“It was a celebration of different abilities, overcoming fears and a sense of accomplishment,” Winterburn said.
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On the two days a week the women don’t swim at Kemp Lake, they put another two kilometres in the water at SEAPARC Recreational Complex as part of a Swim Fit program coached by Tara Neifer and Neil Harvey. Three members of the Swim Fit program, which is similar to competitive swimming, earned 13 medals at the 55+ B.C. Games in Victoria in 2022.
“We all adore our coaches and love the Swim Fit experience,” Winterburn said.
The women have taken to calling themselves the 21st Century Renaissance Women Swimmers, a fitting moniker for a group that personifies the definition of keeping fit.
“We have wonderful camaraderie,” Winterburn noted. “There’s great support within group, and we’ve become good friends and do many activities together.”
The women also have a heightened sense of the critical role the environmental health of Kemp Lake plays in their swim.
“Sooke has many wonderful fresh water resources and we need to take care of all of them,” Winterburn stressed.
Those interested in more information or joining the group can contact Open Waters Swimmers of Sooke on Instagram.