Swim Day: Wednesday July 19th

Swim Direction North to South

Start; Magog, Quebec, Canada

Finish: Newport, Vermont, USA

Observer: Phil White 

Crew: Cynthia Needham

Lake Monster: Memphre

This was to be my second swim down this awe inspiring lake. The first being in 2011, I was one of 4 swimmers who made it down the lake on the night of September 11th, 2011, marking the 10th anniversary of 911, we swam to promote friendly borders and in Search of Memphre the lakes resident Lake Monster.

My 2011 swim was tough, my first 25 miler. I had prepared with night swims, rough water, practice feeding off a boat, swimming alongside a kayak, swimming in the cold night air and mentally training myself to keep swimming.

 I completed my 2011 Lake Monster swim in 15 hours and 30 minutes. The fall night air was cold on my back, I was separated from my kayak and support boat early in the swim for an hour and battled a relentless northerly head wind. In the thick of the chaos something warm brushed by my leg, whatever it was calmed my mind and I swam on to complete the swim.

This year I’m returning to swim in the opposite direction with the goal of getting down the lake a little faster, well wouldn’t that be great, either way it will be a fine adventure and another border crossing my favorite!

Swim Day Arrives.

Up at 4:00am. Gear is packed, feeds are ready we load the boat at the Magog Marina. It is pitch dark, the dawn is starting to nudge it’s way out as we motor to Parc de la Pointe- Merry.

 As we approach the start beach I make my final preparations, light sticks in place, my one cap is secure, I have Vaseline on my arm pits, around my neck and under my suit straps to reduce chaffing as I swim. The final touch is my ear plugs. I slide in to water and wade up onto the beach.

 I am ready to begin one very long day swimming from Canada to the USA, 25.2 miles wearing one traditional bathing suit, one swim cap, ear plugs, light sticks and a pair of goggles. I raise my arms to signal to Phil White my observer and Cynthia Needham crew that I am ready. I pause for a moment taking it all in, the expanse of the lake the approaching dawn and the knowledge that once I step my toe into the water it is ” game on” until I reach the other end of the lake. No assistance…it’s time to go I step in and smile, I can’t wait.

 In to the water I slide, it feels amazing, as I begin stroking on arm at a time my way back to the USA!

Lake Willoughby – Double  Crossing Summer 2017: 2 chances of spotting a giant serpent!

Lake Willoughby is a lake in the town of Westmore, Vermont. It is a lake with crystal clear waters, dramatic vistas and, a legend in it’s history. 

Lake Willoughby is  5 miles long. It has delightful sandy beaches at both the southern, and northern end. The north beach boasts a lovely .25 mile long beach.

Two rugged mountains overlook the lake at the southern end. Mount Pisgah, one one side, and Mount Hor on the other. Swimming between them, gives you the distinct  feeling that  someone, or something  is watching you, especially when the wind is howling, and the skies are dark, it can feel ominous.

Lake Willoughby was created by glacial action,  which carved out a narrow, and deep lake. It resembles a Norwegian Ford. At it’s deepest it is 320ft. It the deepest lake to be entirely contained in Vermont. It also makes it a cold lake, and often a windy lake. The wind funnels down the lake with force, entertaining,  when you are swimming with a tail wind, heartbreaking into a head wind.

The Town – Westmore, VT

Westmore,  was chartered in 1781, it was granted to Uriah Seymour. It was rugged terrain, with no roads.  Eight hardy families settled the area. Early in the 1800’s inhabitants left due to the harsh conditions. The frosts destroyed their crops, and there was a  constant fear of attack from hostile Indians.

 By the 1830’s settlers returned, to farm, and build mills. The lake once again welcomed settlers. Eventually a road was built in 1850 on the east side of lake, and hotels arrived. People were starting to visit Lake Willoughby, which had long been unreachable. Visitors loved  it’s scenery, it’s fishing, and even took steam ship tours to enjoy the lake scenery. Legend has it, some saw a lake monster. The lake which had been largely untouched, now had company.

There are no recordings on how the Lake Willoughby was named.  One story is that many years ago a man named Willoughby was crossing the ice with a horse-drawn sled. When the horses broke through, Willoughby and his driver were drowned, and the lake was called Willoughby in his memory. There are no records of an early settler names Willoughby, of course settlers, came and went often without recording in those early years.

Lake Monster or Giant Serpent or Giant Eel?

Both in the 1800’s and 1900’s, there have been reports of sightings of a long dark creature in the lake.

In August 14, 1868, the story of a “lake monster” appeared in the Caledonian newspaper. “It is reported that the great water snake at Willoughby Lake was killed Wednesday of last week by Stephen Edmonds of Newport, VT., a lad of twelve years. Rushing boldly upon the monster he severed its body with a sickle. On actual measurement the two pieces were found to be 23 feet in length.”

According to local folklore, there is an underground passageway between Lake Willoughby, and Crystal lake. One local story goes that many years ago, a team of horses crashed through the winter ice on Lake Willoughby only to be found months later in Crystal Lake..

 In the 1950’s a team of divers looking for the body of a man presumed drowned after his boat capsized claimed to see a huge hole in the bottom of the lake and saw eels 8 feet( 2. 6 metres) long.

On September 9, 1986 Audrey Besse of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, saw an unknown creature in Willoughby Lake. The sighting was filed with the International Dracontology Society of LakeMemphremagog . Her sighting is as follows:While sitting on the “point” near the Wheeler’s Camps beach more than 15 years ago, Audrey, Ann Hauk (her mother), and a friend saw a long, dark, creature with two or three humps in the middle of the lake, swimming toward the south end. Mrs. Besse went for her binoculars and camera, but the creature had submerged before she could use them.

Adventure worthy – time to grab a cap and goggles and go search!

This summer after careful planning, myself, Phil White, observer, and boat captain, and crew, Cynthia Needham are going on the search.

We are picking early summer, when the lake is still cool, and few folks will be venturing in and on it’s waters, to give us the best chances of a sighting of a monster eel, or serpant, whichever it may be!

Swim Day: Wednesday June 28th 

Distance: 10 miles

Pilot/ Observer: Phil White

Crew: Cynthia Needham 

We got the thumbs up this afternoon! English Channel swim start time is approx 11:30 pm Thursday August 25th EST, ( 4:30 am Friday August 26th UK Time )

WAHOO SUPER EXCITED!!!!

Swim Track track.rs/charlotte

SUVA Tracker here http://cspf.co.uk/tracking

August 2016, Orrs Island

Time to head north, way north! We are in Orrs Island for a week of sea swimming in the cool ocean waters of Harpswell sound.What a stunning place!

The goal, 70k, in 6 days, and we are well on the way.

The waters have been calm on some days, and others a keen south wind has barreled down the sound. All making for great conditions.

It is such a blast seeing the lobster fishermen, working while I swim, they are friendly, and send us warm smiles and big waves.

Cynthia Needham has been a tower of power, kayaking by my side, Heidi Brynn, has been our photographer.

Have we been having fun, you bet!

Next up: Dover, UK August 17th, Big Fun!

Kingdom Swim Border Buster July 30th, 2016

What a treat of a swim, we had a blast enjoying good company from swimmers from around the country and world.

Thanks to Phil White of the North East Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association for the top event, terrific conditions, and fabulous hand carved Kingdom Swim walking stick, a coveted award!

Swim Time :7 hours and 55 minutes

Course Distance: 15.94 miles/ 25.7 km

Overall Course Winner

High clouds overhead, and a northerly wind. This has the makings of a spirited swim.

We load Django, with all our gear, one big bin chocked full of feeds, a dry bag of warm clothes, and some extra company. Phil White,is my captain and observer, Cynthia Needham,is crew captain, and then there is Skinner! Skinner, you might ask? Yes, Uriah Skinner,the half size skeleton, we got for grins, to join us, for our recent Skinner Island, 2 way crossing. He has become quite a part of the team, since his rescue from smugglers cave, on Skinner Island.

Time to “walk the boat ramp”, I think,as I gaze down the lake. I can just make out Ile Ronde,a small, speck in the distance, 8. 2 miles away,and just waiting to be conquered. ” I’m coming for you round island”, I firmly, declare.
The boat ramp is slick, I slither into the water, game on.

Some days a swim welcomes you with open arms, it reaches out to you, with fair weather, and calm waters, it sends you a, ” this is your day vibe”. Today, is not one of those days. Today, Lake Memphremagog, is ornery.

Instantly my heart rate accelerates,I drive my head down low, and pull with long, strong strokes.” Every stroke draws me closer”, I think.

” Listen here, you!” I imagine, the Lake baiting me. ” You’ve been slipping that kiwi frame through my waters, all month, and I’ve played nice. Sure, I’ve given you some wind,rain, and cloudy skies to keep you honest, but this, a circumnavigation of Ile Ronde, now, now your pushing it!” This is the vibe this old Lake is giving me, she’s going to do her best to throw me off the horse, and I’m ready to fight back!

And with that Ole Memphremagog blows from the North, the wind steadily builds. I drive my head down even lower. The more she gusts, the harder I fight. Swells begin to roll down her waters, I breathe hard.

The light house comes, and goes, the vulture like birds look on.

Next up the border, we are in Canadian waters, I treat myself to a look at the island, it is getting closer. The closer it gets, the stronger I swim.

I look at the team, Phil White is calling in our pre approved entry into the Canadian custom officials, this makes it possible to swim continuously without having to go the customs station mid swim, I am grateful for this! Cynthia Needham is fixing my next feed, and then there is Skinner, sitting upright in the back of the boat. I fix my gaze on him, for what feels like a very long time.

My feeds are fast, I say very little to the crew. A few words like, ” Lovely morning”, ” “Bonjour mon ami”. But something’s brewing. For the past 30 minutes, I have been thinking of nothing else, other than what I have been bursting to tell, Phil and Cynthia. I grin, my widest grin, as I think of it. Finally feed time is here, I slide alongside the boat, reach for my feed and say, ” Could you guys do something about Skinner, he looks terrified, he may be thinking we are taking him back to smugglers cave, on Skinner Island”, I spit out the words with a roar of laughter, and then I’m off again. I just love adventure!
(If you don’t know about Skinner’s history, ready Skinner Island blog!)

The wind continues to gust, I know the island is close. Suddenly, Ile Ronde, looms in front of me. She is bigger than I anticipated, tall in stature, along with very tall trees. I make my approach and begin to swim clockwise around this proud island.

As, I swim around Ile Ronde, I reflect on the battle to get here. “Lake Memphremagog made me earn it today”, I think, and then I smile, my very biggest of smiles, for I have made it around the island and am looking forward to a strong northerly tail wind the whole way home. Head down, and I accelerate down the lake.

In no time at all we are back at the border, WAHOO, I love border crossings! Phil and Cynthia fly the New Zealand flag as I cross, I can see the slash in the trees marking the border, and the border buoys in the water.

I continue down the lake, the sailboats are out in full force, one circles us, ” Is that Charlotte”, a yell comes from the sailboat. They follow us for a while, and as we near the city dock they peel off.The wind has eased, the gusts have dropped, lake Memphremagog has succumbed.

” Last feed”, says Cynthia, I smile and swim on. I know I am close, I watch the familiar landmarks, and enjoy the ride. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I see Cynthia bouncing up and down, it is clear she wants me to sprint. ” Either it’s a boat, or I am close to an hour mark”. I think, as I drive my head down, and pull hard. My breath is heavy and loud, I suck in oxygen, and forcefully exhale. I am 500 meters away, my shoulders burn, I keep sprinting.400 meters, 300 meters, 200 meters, the countdown is on. The last 100 meters is here, I don’t let up. The ramp is before me,”Oh no,slippery”, I remember the slide down the ramp this morning.I don’t let up, I swim as far as I can, then pop upright and scamper up the ramp, on my tip toes. Success, I clear the water, and turn to face the boat, pumping my fists, and grinning from ear to ear.

My time 7 hours, 59 minutes and 4 seconds. Thanks to Cynthia Needham, a sub 8 hour swim.

What’s next?

Another Border Crossing of course! July 30th Kingdom Swim Border Buster!

track/rs.charlottetrack.rs/charlotte

Sometimes a swim calls to you. That’s what happened here. I was intrigued and drawn to this swim……

The island of Ile Ronde sits with Owls Head mountain, looking down on it. ( You can just make out the speck of the island on the port side of the boat, below the black mark in the clouds )

Owls Head, is a breathtaking mountain, that has long fascinated me, it is so regal and majestic. I was curious as to why it was named Owls Head. All the locals I asked said it was because it looked like an owls head, but I was not convinced.

After some research, here is what I learned.

It’s unusual name originated from an Indian tribe who inhabited the area, the Abenaki, they hunted and fished in the local region for their existence

After the death of their great chief named “ OWL:, they decided to commemorate his existence and allow his spirit to last forever by naming the mountain “ Owl’s Head”. They believed the mountains outline resembled the great chiefs profile as he lay in a state of repose.

Here’s more about the upcoming Swim

Location: Lake Memphremagog

Distance: 16.6 Miles

Start Location: Newport Public Dock, Newport, Vermont, USA
End Location: Newport Public Dock, Newport, Vermont, USA

Course: Swim North across the US- Canadian Border. Swim around Ile Ronde. Swim South across the Canadain- US Border, back to Newport, VT, USA.

Why Circumnavigate? Because the Island is named Ile Ronde, the only way to swim in honor of a round island, is around it!

I’m looking forward to the thrill of crossing the border from Vermont, USA, into Canada and back again

The border is marked by a slash in the trees and border buoys in the water.

Phil White of The North East Kingdom Swimming Association will be observing/ piloting and Cynthia Needham will be team BRYNNSWIM on the boat.
Will we make it across the border and back with a successful circumnavigation of Ile Ronde? Will Owls Head guide us through our adventure?

Follow my swim track here, approximate start time is 6:30am EST track.rs/charlotte

Georgeville, Quebec, Canada to Newport, VT USA

July 19th, 15 Miles 6 hours, 41 Minutes, 50 seconds

A Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association First

15 miles of scenic swimming in Lake Memphremagog, with a WNW Wind and cloudy skies.

What a rush to blaze across the border, for another international swim! Thanks to Phil White of NEOWSA for supporting this swim, and BRYNNSWIM teammate and fellow adventurer Cynthia Needham for guiding me, feeding me, and sharing the grins.