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2014 – From icy cold to hot stuff: Another pioneering swim by Paul Duffield

Team photo (credit Angelique Duffield). L to R: Ashley Russo, Angelique Duffield, Paul Duffield, Phred Martin
Team photo (credit Angelique Duffield). L to R: Ashley Russo, Angelique Duffield, Paul Duffield, Phred Martin

West Kelowna, BC, September 7th, 2014 – In December 2012, Paul Duffield became Canada’s first (and still only) ice swimmer by swimming a mile in the frigid Okanagan Lake. This past Saturday he tipped the other end of the temperature scale. Duffield completed what he believes is the first recorded solo marathon swim in Osoyoos Lake, reputed to be Canada’s warmest lake, from Oroville, WA to Osoyoos, BC. Duffield researched and planned the swim for over a year and couldn’t find another recorded swim between the two cities.

The USA-Canada swim took Duffield 5 hours 45 minutes to complete.

About the swim Duffield commented, “It may have taken almost six hours to complete but it took much longer to plan. When I first came up with the idea in February 2013 I had no idea who I needed to speak to for permission to do this. In fact I didn’t even know if it was possible.”

After lots of research on the internet and writing dozens of letters and emails, including one to the Canadian Prime Minister, Duffield was contacted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Osoyoos. Duffield said the CBSA had been nothing but helpful in assisting with the swim between the United States and Canada, and their support was instrumental.

“The CBSA is happy for the opportunity to facilitate this unique cross border swim. We would like to congratulate Mr. Duffield on his achievement” said Alan Profili, Chief of Operations for the Port of Osoyoos, CBSA.

During the swim Duffield was supported by two kayakers – Ashley Russo, who was also a member of Duffield’s Ice Swim team, and English Channel relay swimmer Phred Martin – along with his wife Angelique who followed the team’s progress up the lake by road. The support crew were in constant radio contact with each other and Angelique was relaying information about the swim on social media throughout the day.

Paul Duffield swimming in Osoyoos Lake. (photo credit: Ashley Russo)
Paul Duffield swimming in Osoyoos Lake. (photo credit: Ashley Russo)

The swim started at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Oroville at 10:38 am. Sunny, summer-like weather and minimal winds made for perfect swimming conditions and the team made good progress up the lake.

Towards the end though Duffield, who suffers from arthritis in his hand and wrist, was in considerable pain. He remarked “I very nearly quit when we reached Haynes Point Provincial Park, after swimming for four hours. My hand ached and felt like it was burning, and I had sharp pains in my fingers and wrist. I told myself that as long as my arms kept turning over I would continue to the end.” Duffield and his team reached Gyro Park in Osoyoos at 4.23pm. The team then celebrated a successful day over dinner in Osoyoos before heading home.

The official swim time was 5 hours 45 minutes and 40 seconds, recorded by the Hydro Tracker GPS device Duffield wore on his goggle straps, which was supplied by FINIS, the official swim sponsor.

Someone has already asked what’s next.

Duffield jokingly shared, “I have no firm plans yet, but I’ll have to get out the map book and see what piques my interest”.

Duffield has been keeping a blog about his swim training and challenges for the last two years. You can view it at http://www.nothinggreatiseasy.com

Paul Duffield at Gyro Park in Osoyoos after successfully completing the swim. (photo credit: Angelique Duffield)
Paul Duffield at Gyro Park in Osoyoos after successfully completing the swim. (photo credit: Angelique Duffield)

Issued by:
Angelique Duffield, online marketing strategist, Bright Spark Media

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