NEKOWSA Swim the Kingdom Schedule for 2015
Fil
Derby, VTCharter Member
We are very pleased to announce our schedule of swims in 2015 in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, the Eastern Townships of Quebec and Scotland!!! Registration will open on September 15th, 2014
We have moved Kingdom Swim back to where it started, the last weekend in July. And we are very excited to include Loch Ness in the list of legendary lakes on this schedule. The Swimmer Scouts' Search for a plesiosaur like lake creature expands, thanks to Sarah Thomas, Elaine Kornbau Howley and Craig Lenning.
SWIM THE KINGDOM
Son of a Swim, June 13 and 20, 2015 – 6, 4, and 2 mile courses
Kingdom Swim, July 25, 2015 – 15 Mile Border Buster, WOWSA 10 Mile World Open Water Championship, plus non championship 10, 6, 3, and 1 mile courses plus 1/4 mile and 100 yard courses just for kids.
Seymour Swim (in conjunction with Kingdom Triathlon) August 1, 2014 – 3.5 and 1.75 mile swims
8 Lake – 45 Mile – 4 Marathon – Swim the Kingdom Week (swim one or all eight)
Crystal Swim – August 8, 2015 – 5 miles
Island Pond Swim – August 9, 2015 – 4 miles
Echo Swim – August 10, 2015 – 12 K
Seymour Swim – August 11, 2015 – 10 K
Massawippi Swim – August 12, 2015 – 9 mile
Memphremagog Clubhous-Slash Swim – August 13, 2015 – 10 K
Willoughby Swim – August 15, 2014 – 5 mile
Caspian Swim – August 16, 2014 – 3 and 1.5 mile
Echo Lake Road Race & Swim, August 22-23, 2015 – 1 Mile and 3 Mile Swims
Loch Ness – August 22, 2015 – 23 cold water miles as part of the Triple Crown of Lake Monster Swims – Tahoe, Memphremagog, and Loch Ness
In Search of Memphre – September 5, 2015 – 25 mile international swim - To search for our legendary lake creature and to promote a more open border with our Canadian friends.
Georgeville or Bust – October 10, 2015 – 15 mile international swim – Water temperatures guaranteed to be below 60 degrees (another border buster).
We have moved Kingdom Swim back to where it started, the last weekend in July. And we are very excited to include Loch Ness in the list of legendary lakes on this schedule. The Swimmer Scouts' Search for a plesiosaur like lake creature expands, thanks to Sarah Thomas, Elaine Kornbau Howley and Craig Lenning.
SWIM THE KINGDOM
Son of a Swim, June 13 and 20, 2015 – 6, 4, and 2 mile courses
Kingdom Swim, July 25, 2015 – 15 Mile Border Buster, WOWSA 10 Mile World Open Water Championship, plus non championship 10, 6, 3, and 1 mile courses plus 1/4 mile and 100 yard courses just for kids.
Seymour Swim (in conjunction with Kingdom Triathlon) August 1, 2014 – 3.5 and 1.75 mile swims
8 Lake – 45 Mile – 4 Marathon – Swim the Kingdom Week (swim one or all eight)
Crystal Swim – August 8, 2015 – 5 miles
Island Pond Swim – August 9, 2015 – 4 miles
Echo Swim – August 10, 2015 – 12 K
Seymour Swim – August 11, 2015 – 10 K
Massawippi Swim – August 12, 2015 – 9 mile
Memphremagog Clubhous-Slash Swim – August 13, 2015 – 10 K
Willoughby Swim – August 15, 2014 – 5 mile
Caspian Swim – August 16, 2014 – 3 and 1.5 mile
Echo Lake Road Race & Swim, August 22-23, 2015 – 1 Mile and 3 Mile Swims
Loch Ness – August 22, 2015 – 23 cold water miles as part of the Triple Crown of Lake Monster Swims – Tahoe, Memphremagog, and Loch Ness
In Search of Memphre – September 5, 2015 – 25 mile international swim - To search for our legendary lake creature and to promote a more open border with our Canadian friends.
Georgeville or Bust – October 10, 2015 – 15 mile international swim – Water temperatures guaranteed to be below 60 degrees (another border buster).
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Comments
Have you been in touch with the BLDSA re ratification / observers for the Loch Ness swim?
Also, while over visiting the UK have you thought about trying to find Bownessie (Nessie's younger cousin) in Windermere?
I think this one swim will be a monster. So, I doubt that any of these three Swimmer Scouts will be looking for a second swim while they are in Scotland. But please tell me more about Windermere and Bownessie. - Fil
Hi @Fil Sorry for lack of response, I've been busy swimming!
You're right, Loch Ness will be a monster swim, but it would be amazing to do it.
Re Windermere. It is England's longest lake at 10.5 miles and it is located in the gorgeous Lake District. Local Tip: Don't call it "Lake Windermere", as "mere" means a body of water. So it's Windermere, otherwise the locals get upset. It's a lovely swim, I've done a single and a double, and think I'll do it again next year.
Bownessie is the local lake "monster" named after the town Bowness which is situated on Windermere. http://www.bownessiewindermere.co.uk/bownessie-and-friends.asp
FYI - Icelandair Flies out of both Denver and Boston, gives a free stopover in Reykjavik and then will take you the rest of the way into Glasgow, Scotland, just saying
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagarfljót_Worm
Or if not a blog writeup, are there some swims you might recommend over others?
Thanks.
Other lakes feature more interesting or roundabout courses--sometimes it seemed like the swimming equivalent of a scavenger hunt (touch that rock on the far side, pose for a photo by that dock over yonder, then swim to the dam, etc), which brought its own fun. Crystal Lake (which is very pretty and has a nice beach to hang out on before and after) is in this category, as were Seymour and Memphremagog. At Echo Lake--an isolated spot that featured a short hike-in--we swam perimeter(s) of the lake, which gave a great view of the shoreline cabins and forest. (Maybe Phil will get permission for us to bounce on the water trampoline in the northeast corner of the lake next year?
Most of the lakes were very clear, and you could see fish swimming in the shallows and sometimes further out. Willoughby and Crystal were especially nice in this regard, although I might have seen the most fish in Seymour near the dam. Echo had lots of loons, as well as some crawfish. The daily drives to the lakes, sometimes on dirt roads, were also a treat--Vermont in August is just plain gorgeous. I stayed on Lake Willoughby, and most of the 8 lakes were within an hour's drive.
Lake Massawippi was special because it was in Canada, and going over there felt like a fun field trip. The mayor of the small town welcomed us and accompanied us in a boat, and we all went out to a nice pub afterwards. And for sheer beauty, Willoughby remains my favorite, with dramatic rock faces rising up from its depths.
The swims early in the week were more intimate, and I looked forward to seeing many of the same swimmers, kayakers, and support crew day after day. For most of the first 5 days there were rarely other swimmers within sight while I was out on the lakes and I appreciated the solitude and the chance to meander along at my own pace and enjoy the sights. Memphre was a delight because there were a few more swimmers, and I found a swim buddy. Willoughby and Caspian were larger events, and had the competitive energy that those bring while still feeling very friendly and supportive of everyone.
What I most appreciated about the week of swimming was how low-key and relaxed it all was, and how little there was for us swimmers to worry about. I spent a week just waking up, driving to the lake du jour, and getting to swim, with a kayaker and some good post-swim food and company provided. There was no pressure to swim the entire distance each day--Phil was very accommodating about having shorter distance options. And the kayakers he found were great, both at navigating and at being fun company out on the water.
Hope this helps! It really is a wonderful event, and I know you'll love whatever combination of swims you choose!
A few of us are seeing Lake Michigan swimming into November. It isn't so bad in the water (around 55 deg currently). What happens after that has to be managed. Smile.
Marjorie
It would be fun to rent a larger cabin and go up with a group next year!
You do get it all with your camera, don't you?!
Very pleased to say that Craig Dietz has signed on for the 10 K course in the Adaptive Division. A great guy. We are very glad to welcome him to The Kingdom and know we are going to have some fun.
We have had an adaptive division at Kingdom Swim for several years. But this year, we are making a concerted effort to attract the adaptive swimming community to any and all of our NEKOWSA swims. Any help in spreading this word would be much appreciated.
Fil
I'm already here! Everything is beautiful and the weather is perfect. Planning on swimming a bit in the lake every day until the race. I'm so excited that Craig is swimming! It'll be an honor to swim with him.
Just came back from two hours of cruise-swimming around the lake. Quelle luxe, you guys. The temperature is perfect--felt like low 70s with the occasional refreshing cool current--and there's just enough breeze to make things interesting and lovely. So happy.
Thanks, @heart !
Flipping back and forth between this thread and the David Yudovin Memorial Relay thread, two wonderful events, two vastly different bodies of water and swimming experience, I had to go jump into Lake Michigan for some mid-continental relief, and swim in glorious sparkling blue water.
Swim the Kingdom is straight ahead on the radar for next year.
Meanwhile, hourly updates would be fine!
I heard it was 74. I'm afraid I'm going to be hot!
More swimming today. Good times! Even with the added thrill/excitement of avoiding ships and boats when crossing the lake from side to side. Very excited about Saturday.
If anyone's already around Newport, PM me; I think of going for thai food at 7pm on Main Street and would love company.
74 Hot! Ha!
Could it be 78 please? #WarmWaterRULES!
See y'all Saturday!
I'm not in Newport, but that Thai place is really good. My wife and I were surprised it was up there when I did that swim in 2013, but we were very pleased with our food there.
Wow, this swim was AMAZING!!! Conditions were beautiful. Water was glassy smooth, currents were cooperative, temperature was perfect--what a great day on the water!
@heart Sounds wonderful! I hope you had company for Thai food.
I can't find up-to-date rosters for the swim, or results (though it may be too early for results).
Blog post with pix!