The City has responded to our request to add a buoy line just outside of the new Gyro Swim Loop buoys, to serve as a deterrent to boaters coming too close to swimmers. Despite this, boats (usually with water skiers in tow) continue to be noticed very close to the outer buoys, and even occasionally inside them, so a continued vigil remains important, as does brightly colored swim caps. The RCMP has been informed of our safety concerns, as has the marina at the Eldorado where boats fuel up. We will continue to inform the boating and water skiing community that there are swimmers out at Gyro every morning, all summer long. We hope that all users of this loop can also inform your boater friends to keep clear of the loop to keep everyone safe. If anyone captures a photograph of boats in or near the Loop, please contact us by sending them to: webguy@acrossthelakeswim.com.

We’d like to welcome two new Sponsors of the Kelowna Fresh Air Across the Lake Swim: Solo Bars and Starbucks. Both will be at the race displaying their products and will be offering free samples. Our race wouldn’t be a success without our Sponsors so we encourage you to support them!

On June 27th (10am-3pm) the Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon is doing a car wash to raise funds. They receive a government grant for every volunteer and they need your support! The washes are at the following locations: Petro-Canada at 97 & Leathead, Petro-Canada on Hwy 33 and the Mohawk station in West Kelowna. If you can help volunteer, please contact: Tabitha 250-980-3368 or Mike 250-861-1465. Be sure to tell your friends to bring their dirty vehicles to the car wash!

After, ahem, a short delay, we’re pleased to announce the Gyro Swim Loop Time Trial results are now online. Click here to view.

Mark your calendars… Saturday, July 4th 7-10 am Fresh Air will be at the Gyro Swim Loop along with Blue Seventy Wetsuits and a few other suppliers to demo wetsuits, goggles and other swim products. Come and take that wetsuit you’ve been checking out for a spin around the loop.

So who doesn’t like to save a buck here and there? I don’t see any raised hands so you’ll want to take advantage of our bargain early bird registration pricing of $45. Thing is, it ends on June 27th, then the price raises to $55 – and we can’t guarantee you’ll get a shirt (although we’ll do our best) – and you should see these shirts, a totally new design. Mind you, $55 is still a hot price, but that 10 bucks could go towards that swanky new set of swim goggles you’ve been eyeing up. So get off yer duff and register!

Swimmers of all levels pitted themselves against the clock this morning and swam the 800m Gyro Loop. The water was calm, clear and a scorching 18 degrees. The fastest time of 11:03:48 was posted by Mike Stamhuis. This is the current loop record!

The Gyro Loop Time Trials are a weekly event held every Saturday morning at 7:00am (sign up at 6:45am). Next week we will be adding a 1600m time trial for those interested in doing two continuous loops. Your results will be posted on this website so you can track your performance over the season. It’s a great way to train for the Across the Lake Swim or any open water swimming event!

So come out and join the fun – it’s just you against the clock! Swimmers of all levels are welcome but you must be able to swim at least 1000m continuously in a pool. We even have an official Lifeguard on duty on a surfboard to make sure we are all safe.

See you on Saturday!

We’ve attached a thermometer to the first marker (0 metre) so you can get an accurate water temperature. Look below the marker, it’s attached to the chain. If it’s not there, it’s been stolen! The water is warmer than you think!

The Okanagan Princess is a new luxury houseboat that we have been able to secure to both transport swimmers from City Park to the Old Ferry Dock, as well as to allow a limited number of spectators to enjoy the race from a moving “poolside” grandstand. We have offered this service in an attempt to relieve the very limited drop off and parking capacity on Old Ferry Wharf Road.

There will be two sailings leaving from the City Park boat ramp on the morning of the race. The first will leave at 7:30 AM SHARP to transport up to 90 swimmers to the start line at the Old Ferry Dock, where they will be asked to jump into the water about 50 meters from shore (there is no longer a dock there). The Princess will scamper back to City Park to collect up to another 30 swimmers, as well as up to 60 spectators, with the intent of leaving as close to 8AM as possible, in time to return to the swim start line before the race commences at 8:30. The spectators will enjoy a leisurely cruise back along side the swimmers, being able to watch the race and their favorite swimmers for the entire crossing before being returned to City Park to partake in the finish line ceremonies by about 9:15.

If you want to be ferried across to the start line, or you have supporters that want to watch the race, tickets we be made available on a first come, first served basis, for a maximum of 90 (swimmers only) to leave at 7:30, and 60 spectators and as many as 30 more swimmers to leave at 8 AM. All tickets are $5. You can pick up and pay for tickets on the race package pickup days (July 16 & 17).

We are now accepting nominations for this year’s Jan Morrow Award until July 1st, 2009. Click here for more information about the award.