ATLS Society

2011 ATLSS Organization Chart

2012 ATLSS Organization Chart

In the past, the Kelowna Masters Swim Club had organized the Interior Savings Across the Lake Swim as part of its club activities. With the completion of the new H2O pool in the spring of 2009, the Kelowna-area masters swim clubs amalgamated to a larger club at the new facility. In addition, the surging growth and interest in open water swimming and the Interior Savings Across The Lake Swim mandated more dedicated attention than to just be part of any one swim club. Therefore the organizers created a non-profit society to promote the event and important skills involved in open water swimming. With the help of Richard Montgomery of Montgomery Miles Law Firm, five veterans of previous Interior Savings Across The Lake Swim organizing committees became the founding members of the new Across The Lake Swim Society (ATLSS), which was registered in November 2009.

The constitution states that the mandate of the ATLS Society is to:
A) Support and Preserve the Across The Lake Swim as an annual tradition;
B) Promote interest in open water swimming;
C) Enhance knowledge and skills in open water swimming; and
D) Foster accessibility to, and community support around, open water swimming.

The ATLSS had its first annual general meeting in September 2010. The following roles are currently assigned:

  • President – Peter Rudd
  • Vice President – Gerry Moyer
  • Past President – Mark Fromberg
  • Secretary – Leora Dahl
  • Treasurer – Dorrie Fasick
  • Webmaster – Peter Rudd
  • Swim Club Liaison – Suzie Da Silva
  • Member at Large – Val Miller
  • Race Director (2012) – Peter Rudd

Also playing important roles in the 2012 ATLS organizing committee are Clarke Traverse, Biggi Weischedel, Jacqualyn Conrad, Jane Fletcher, Graham McMynn and Steve Pope.

There are many important aspects to making this event run safely and smoothly, including venue preparation at the start and finish lines, race package preparation, updating the website, developing the waivers and securing insurance, organizing lifeguarding and on the water patrolling, organizing race day volunteers, as well as liaisons with the City of Kelowna, the WFN, sponsors, the RCMP, the houseboat ferry captains, the media and the swim clubs. If you are interested in becoming a part of the ATLS tradition in Kelowna, giving back to the swim community or helping out with a special skill in any of those areas, whether in the organizational phase or on race day, please contact us!

Funds generated by the Interior Savings Across The Lake Swim are redirected to local non-profit swim clubs. Cheques totalling $7000 were distributed to club presidents, with a promise to continue this tradition annually as long as the event is financially successful.

The Across The Lake Swim Society remains open to partnering with any swim clubs or other organizations that wish to participate in any mutually beneficial promotions. For example, in early 2010 the ATLSS offered reduced rate race entries to some swim club members participating in a training program directed at first time ATLS participants.

Please contact us if you have any questions or ideas that will enhance our community’s swimming skills and grow the sport of open water swimming.

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