Reminiscences of a Long Distance Swimmer: 25 mile Lake Memphremagog Solo Swim

If you are into connecting with nature, seeing bald eagles & ospreys overhead, stunning vistas washed down with warmer waters in the summertime then Vermont might well be your ideal venue. NEKOWSA (North East Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association) boasts a ‘ladder’ swim series and a unique selling point arguably not seen anywhere else in the world with a proper graduation of events from 1mile, 5km, 10km, 10mile, 25km culminating in the ultimate 25 mile (In Search of Memphre) length of the entire lake of Lake Memphremagog between Newport in Vermont, USA to Magog in Quebec, Canada. Indeed 4/5ths of the surface area of this lake is actually Canadian. There’s a monster in there too named Memphre and this is part of the 3-part lake monster series (along with Tahoe in California/Nevada (which I did in 2018) and Loch Ness in Scotland which I have yet to attempt in solo format).
Check out the Kingdom Games events here: http://kingdomgames.co

The seed for attempting this swim was planted by Paula Yankauskas whilst breakfasting at the Apache Lake Motel after swimming 17-mile Lake Apache as part of our 42 mile SCAR swim series in Arizona in 2015 led by Kent Nicholas (here: http://www.scarswim.com). She, in her typical humble fashion, regaled the story of a stunning 25 mile swim which crosses the US border into Canada (requiring passport on support boat), the fabled monster and her ca. 18 hour conquering having battled the elements, testing her physical and mental limits but ultimately coming out victorious on her journey to her English Channel swim and also the Triple Crown. No mean feat for someone who was 60 at the time which totally earns my (and everyone in the sport's) utmost respect.

The notion of this attempt for me was further cemented during a 10 mile Swim the Suck Swim in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2016 (here: http://www.swimthesuck.org) as the kayaker serendipitously chosen (by race director Karah Nazor) to guide me that day was none other than Phil White who is race director of the 25 mile ‘In Search of Memphre’, founder of the entire Kingdom Games series and one of the key figures in US extreme swimming and other sports. He’s a bit of a legend in the area and you can feel that the events are run for athletes by athletes who are great ambassadors for the beauty of the area and rejoice in the achievements of others only wanting athletes to succeed.

So, fast forward 3 years to July 2019 and 3 swimmers (Natalie Rose from Boston, Massachusetts and Jim Loreto from Bethesda, Maryland plus yours truly) managed to arrive at the start line of this year’s July 'Search' where the programme commenced with the ominously named ‘Last Supper’ which combined as a safety briefing, get-to-know-each-other-session and crew meet on the Sunday night before pinpointing the best of the three day window (Tuesday 16th). The idea was to give participants the best possible chance at completing rather than being anchored to a specific day. (I devoted a whole week to being in the area just in case the weather blew up so I could get it done). Check out this sunset!

(Jim, Natalie and Shez befriending each other and the butterflies!)

So the 'jump' was set for 5am on Tuesday 16th July 2019 with getting ready (zinc-ing up) from 4am so much more civilised than so many other swims and we even had a room to do it in! The short 5 mins ride from the apartment in Newport to the start line confirmed the forecast that their was a reasonable 4-6mph tailwind as the wind had veered overnight as denoted by the flags on Main Street as I drove across town. After forgetting the lucky duck for the recent 20 bridges ‘round Manhattan’ swim I knew fortune was going to be on my side as he complimented by Union Jack swim cap recently presented to me by colleagues ahead of my successful round-manhattan swim.

(thumbs up if you only do this sport for the zinc!)

Each crew and boat captain had been presented with a laminated map which I had studied extensively so I pretty much new at all times how far I had covered and in what time given my feeds were programmed to be hourly. Check out the map!

(errr - that's one helluva long way innit)

I had barely known Theresa Gerade, one of my crew, for a couple of hours and then here she was donning rubber gloves to a complete stranger and helping to protect my body from the sun proving to be a dab hand with sun cream and zinc! Here she is on board with the lucky duck the day before feeling proud to have 'duck-taped' him to the bow area! Looking across at the duck all day really does put a smile on one's face. One of my crew on my victorious 43-mile Geneva swim is also called Teresa so I knew luck was on my side.

(Theresa getting to know the lucky duck)

At 4.53am Phil set us off (with the rattle of his metal cup, lol!) and we entered the water at the Eastside restaurant in Newport at the southernmost end. The water was a totally bath-like 72f which takes getting ones head around as in the winter the ice on the lake can be over 3 feet thick!

(only 25.2 miles to go....)

As usual got into my usual catatonic ca. 50-stroke rhythm and was matching fellow competitor Jim stroke for stroke whilst Natalie was giving it more beans moving clear ahead of us. Jim had just returned from a distance week in Cork and although I was slightly envious of his training camp, I was secretly glad that was not my taper as I tend to shun salt water when gunning for a major fresh water event. My taper comprised of barely swimming in the prior 2 weeks (other than with the Fausto group in Sunderland at 12c!) and concentrating on eating mostly whatever I wanted and drinking gin! I planned to feed every hour on the hour to keep things totally simple with the first 2/3rd comprised of very diluted carbohydrate & cordial drink followed by flat coke in the final 1/3rd with the odd treat thrown in at the discretion of the crew (either strawberry wafer, Oreo mini, 1/2 banana or soft oatmeal cream pie (the latter was a total revelation btw given soft and sustaining)!)

(ultimate marathon swimming nutrition)

As we rounded the first jut of trees to our right a bald eagle took off from its nest and flew over the swimmers and crews. It was squawking away probably complaining that we were interrupting its key early morning hunting agenda. The sun then started to rise and it was a really magical feeling being free in the lake taking on such an expedition surrounded by highly supportive local crews hell-bent on seeing us succeed.

(My boat in the distance with Natalie's kayaker closer to the camera - photo credit Charlotte Brynn)

(Rounding the first bend where the bald eagle lives - photo credit Charlotte Brynn)

After another mile or so (we learnt later that) Natalie’s husband in the kayak turned over so he had to be rescued whilst Natalie swam in circles waiting! That would have driven me slightly potty! The paddle sunk to the bottom of the lake so the monster must have had that for breakfast. That must have been around 1/5 into the swim where we entered the Canadian border as denoted by the line of trees cut down on the mainland and one of the islands! She must have taken it in her stride as still got the job done but would have thrown others for six.

(Jim and Shez enjoying the new Olympic sport of long distance synchronised freestyle!)

Evidently Jim Loreto and I matched each other largely stroke for stroke all the way until the Il Ronde island which marked the 8 mile completion point. (On the maps above you will see that this key island and also Lord's Island break up the swim into thirds (south, mid and north basins)).

The next feature above us was Mont Owl Head granting us rite of passage and it drew fond memories of Ben Lomond also being the key mid-way landmark on my Loch Lomond solo in 2012. Owl Head dominates the skyline from both Newport at one end and Magog on the other so I thanked him (and of course the monster) for looking after us as we passed. Phil informed me that this was the deepest point at 400 feet to which I pointed out that I could see the bottom and the monster was definitely not at home! Captain then relaxed, had a pee in the bucket, leaned back in his seat and put his feet up on the side of the boat proudly boasting 2 odd socks (one with flamingo's on of course). OMG how these odd socks started to mess with my OCD!

We nudged our way past the halfway point and slogged up to the sweet town of Georgeville on the eastern shore that I had visited the day before just chilling out. We continued to be pushed down the lake and feeds continued at hourly intervals. Some of the waves were 1 feet high which made feeds thoroughly inconvenient dissolving my creme pies and diluting my cordial before I had even taken a bite or a swig! I swear I was drinking most of the lake and surprised there was any water left. At this stage I was getting so thrilled about my new feeding treat of the oatmeal cream pies that I had the let down of having consumed the last one and not packing enough leaving the balance in the apartment!

The view on the western shore after the main inlet on the left was then dominated by the stunning monastery on the Western bank which I knew from memorising the map was only 2 miles to go until Ile Lorde island. I asked Phil what was the name of the place and in best English (totally bastardising French) he offered 'Abbaye De St-Benoit-Du-Lac'...to which I replied 'you were f-ing wasted in the legal profession, you should have been a French teacher!' We all giggled and carried on.

(Shezza closing in on the final third with Magog in the very far distance - photo credit Phil White)

We then rounded Ile Lorde island and this was the first time since the start that I saw the bottom not even 6 feet below me and I feared the support boat might come stuck but relented to say anything realising that they must have it covered. First rule of marathon swimming = always trust your crew and never second guess them I reminded myself! Once round the island Phil confirmed forthrightly '7 miles to go'. Oh Ullswater then I thought. Simples and not much more than a cheeky 10km! The plan I had in my head was to get to this point and then flood my brain with feelings of joy of finishing and what I would do hanging out in the US relaxing for the next 3 days. I also vowed NEVER to look up at the finish line. This largely worked a treat but the last 3 miles were tough as this distance is >4 miles longer than the Channel and in fresh water so the body was really beginning to hurt.
After what seemed like an eternity we started to encounter more boat traffic, chop, windsurfers and moored boats which heralded 1.5 miles to go which I reckoned was exaggerated so told myself we would be done within the hour. After 45 mins I finally allowed myself my first glimpse of what was ahead. Barely able to see out of the goggles after the suction had been so strong in the waves making my eyes hazy, I finally reconciled Peter and Geneve the arrival party cheering the swimmers in.
Probing ones feet down into the sand & rocks was divine and the conclusion in stumbling to clear the water meant stopping the clock was imminent.

After 13 hours and 8 mins I realised I was the first swimmer home in a time I would have bitten your arm off for beforehand having put ca. 14-15 hours on my form. First thing I was offered from the land crew of Peter and Geneve was a beer (!) which was hilarious as I was adamant that would have made me queazy - I politely declined that in favour of a ham sub sandwich with lashings of mayo and tea! Amazing how one craves savoury after a day of sweet things!

(Boat Captain Phil White with awesome crew Theresa Girade and Owl Head in the distance)

Once Jim finished ca 40 mins later we shook hands and basked in mutual respect and glory of achievement. Then only 5 mins later Natalie emerged from the water with the biggest grin on her face and we were all so thrilled for her having stepped up for the first time to a distance north of 20 miles.

(A 'Rose' between two (bald) thorns - Jim Loreto, Natalie Rose and Shezza)

One of Natalie's crew, the lovely Charlotte Brynn, came bouncing over to the bench I was recovering on beaming from ear to ear presenting me with a congratulatory hug and a look in her eye you could only earn from a former soloist of the lake. Natalie had indeed almost caught Jim in the final stages which took some doing given the kayak woes earlier in the day. I duly informed her that if she could do this then the world would be her oyster given most events in extreme swimming are at least 4 miles shorter! We were put into the record books as only the 37th, 38th and 39th amateur swimmers in history to have completed this swim.

Read the official swim report from the organisers here:
Three-Complete-In-Search-of-Memphre-on-July-16th--2019

Here are my observer sheets:

Observations and final thoughts

This swim was really no bother given the temperature of the water and I'm glad I only fed 1x per hour to let the crew just get on with other things. I'm amazed that no amateur Canadian has even completed this yet. This swim will get more popular imho. My training was perfect and I definitely didn't overtrain for it but then I have amassed a few miles in the tank over the years (and I am very happy with my technique) which stands for something!

The views from the water of the surroundings are totally stunning. Probably the most remarkable scenery on any 20+ mile swim I have ever done. Water temp was so perfect that when I exited the water I strutted around in T-shirt and shorts with no shaking. The organisation was first classs and well-briefed feeling safe all of the time.

I flew into Boston which is a 4 hour drive from Newport. There are more daily flights into Boston than Montreal plus they are cheaper.

I stayed at ‘Vita Huset’ - an apartment, surprisingly good value and clean with my own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area with access to laundry, fridge-freezer etc.
https://www.newportextendedstay.com

Much of the lake frontage plots are private and residential but my favourite swim spot is Eagle Point on the east side just below the Canadian border - right by a nature reserve where you will spot the Osprey’s nest and otters.
http://discovernewportvt.com/eagle-point-wildlife-management-area.html

Don't forget to take your passport everywhere with you. The border police pulled me over one morning on the way back from a sunrise swim with nothing better to do than to question me.

You should definitely take a day or two to go and explore Lake Willoughby and Crystal lake that are only 30 mins away.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Willoughby