Eleventh Annual 13km
Swim For The Cure

Solo swimmers and relay swimmers alike are invited to take part in this swim. Participants are welcome to choose the distance they will seek to complete based on their level of fitness and personal goals. For first time distance swimmers, we have some tips available on the site, an archive of previous years' events, and lots of support information.

We invite you to register for the swim by signing up on this page. Then download this year's pledge sheet and get it filled!

Swimmers can be sponsored online through personal or team fundraising pages hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society. This is the ideal way to receive donations as a receipt is delivered by email immediately and the donation added to your total. The swimmers who have currently set up online donations for this year's event are listed on this page, such as Marilyn Korzekwa (who is also going to swim the English Channel in August!) and Debbie Bang (who is going to be a pacer for Marilyn!).

Starts will be staggered. The 12.8 km swim will be starting between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30. As returning swimmers know, there is a boat ride to the starting point of 15 to 25 minutes, so keep this in mind when deciding on your start time. The first pick up at Severn Falls will be around 6:15 a.m.

1. Relay team from Swift Rapids to Big Chute = 12.8 km / 8 miles
2. Solo swim from Swift Rapids to Big Chute = 12.8 km / 8 miles
3. Solo swim from Severn Falls to Big Chute = 7.8 km / 4.85 miles

Five to eight hours later (depending on the weather and water conditions and how quickly you swim.)

There will be celebration refreshments at the completion of the swim. All participants and support crews are invited!

All swimmers MUST have a boat / canoe / kayak / paddleboat beside them at all times. Their job is to keep an eye on you. We will also have runner boats to communicate between swimmers and a boat behind all the swimmers for safety.

Funds are being raised for breast cancer research, donated through the Orillia and District Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. Members of the Unit will be on hand on the day of the swim, collecting our pledge forms and taking donations from interested cottagers and spectators. A boat accompanying the swimmers collects donations from other boaters as well; many have proved to be generous during past swims. Swimmers are also encouraged to use the online fundraising pages provided by the Canadian Cancer Society (see above) for collecting sponsors online!

The most recent swim story can be found here. Further information is available by using the links on this page or by directly contacting Debbie Bang through e-mail (dbang at stjoes.ca).