Welcome to #THESWOOWS [Swim Diesel]
It's been a journey friends. In four years I have seen many open water swims in many shapes and sizes. Now it is time for me to deposit instead of withdraw.
If you have been around open water swimming in Ontario chances are you have met either me or Josh Reid. We became friends because of this sport and really wanted to build something where others could do the same. We decided to start our own swim series for those in (mainly) southern Ontario which outside of the GTA is sorely under serviced. We wanted to do something that was inclusive, grassroots, and family oriented. We wanted to create a place where people could swim, meet some new faces, congregate with familiar ones, and get their kids involved. Thus - the SWOOWS was born.
The North Shore Challenge is Josh's established swim. This is our anchor so to speak. It is already the finest open water event in Ontario and currently the 2nd largest. With the addition of the SWOOWS "Mighty Minnows" it will be the crown jewel of the series. We have 2 other established swims in the works which I am not at liberty to discuss until they become official. It is a great thing when you can start with some established swims and some newly created ones. More on that in a bit.
Turkey point is a wonderful place to swim.... but there are other swimming holes in Ontario. Josh and I will be seeking them out and some of them will translate into events.
Our first event of the season is a brand new one.
We wanted to kick off the open water season early. The Great Lakes aren't quite ripe yet but conservation areas are prime for the picking already. The SWOOWS would like to invite you to the Father’s Day Classic at Waterford Ponds. Registration is here --> https://goo.gl/SLM7Eb
Waterford is a stone's throw outside of Simcoe and is often known for the heritage landmark, the Black Bridge.
But back to the swim....
YES it is on Father's Day (2018-06-17). We will have 2 distances at this event, 1km and 4km. For our eager beavers there will also be the option to do both. For the kids (12 and under) there will be a 250m (ish) swim to get them involved. At many events you would get a finishers medal. We wanted to do something a little different. SWOOWS finishers will get Race Tags. Part of the idea is to collect them. We will also be running our own points system. I'm currently sorting out some of the fine points but the bulk of the system is sorted.
What's the water temperature? This is always one of the top two questions. Well - Josh and I were out for about 90 minutes in the water just yesterday.
My internal thermometer is suggesting approximately 17 degrees. With a few weeks to go I can tell you that the water will be great on race day. We're hoping that you come out and bring your crew. There are washrooms, picnic tables, parking ($12 per car) and lots of room for kids to play. Make this a family event and come hang out!
So - there you have it. An intro to the SWOOWS and our first event. Let's call a spade a spade. We're a new series and there are startup costs. We need swimmers! More swimmers makes for a better event, a better swim community, and helps pay the bills. Many of you know us. Some of you have become very dear to us.... and all because of swimming. Come on out and be a part of year one!
Registration is here --> https://goo.gl/SLM7Eb
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
K : swimdiesel
B : SWMDSL
If you have been around open water swimming in Ontario chances are you have met either me or Josh Reid. We became friends because of this sport and really wanted to build something where others could do the same. We decided to start our own swim series for those in (mainly) southern Ontario which outside of the GTA is sorely under serviced. We wanted to do something that was inclusive, grassroots, and family oriented. We wanted to create a place where people could swim, meet some new faces, congregate with familiar ones, and get their kids involved. Thus - the SWOOWS was born.
The North Shore Challenge is Josh's established swim. This is our anchor so to speak. It is already the finest open water event in Ontario and currently the 2nd largest. With the addition of the SWOOWS "Mighty Minnows" it will be the crown jewel of the series. We have 2 other established swims in the works which I am not at liberty to discuss until they become official. It is a great thing when you can start with some established swims and some newly created ones. More on that in a bit.
Turkey point is a wonderful place to swim.... but there are other swimming holes in Ontario. Josh and I will be seeking them out and some of them will translate into events.
Our first event of the season is a brand new one.
We wanted to kick off the open water season early. The Great Lakes aren't quite ripe yet but conservation areas are prime for the picking already. The SWOOWS would like to invite you to the Father’s Day Classic at Waterford Ponds. Registration is here --> https://goo.gl/SLM7Eb
Waterford is a stone's throw outside of Simcoe and is often known for the heritage landmark, the Black Bridge.
But back to the swim....
YES it is on Father's Day (2018-06-17). We will have 2 distances at this event, 1km and 4km. For our eager beavers there will also be the option to do both. For the kids (12 and under) there will be a 250m (ish) swim to get them involved. At many events you would get a finishers medal. We wanted to do something a little different. SWOOWS finishers will get Race Tags. Part of the idea is to collect them. We will also be running our own points system. I'm currently sorting out some of the fine points but the bulk of the system is sorted.
What's the water temperature? This is always one of the top two questions. Well - Josh and I were out for about 90 minutes in the water just yesterday.
My internal thermometer is suggesting approximately 17 degrees. With a few weeks to go I can tell you that the water will be great on race day. We're hoping that you come out and bring your crew. There are washrooms, picnic tables, parking ($12 per car) and lots of room for kids to play. Make this a family event and come hang out!
So - there you have it. An intro to the SWOOWS and our first event. Let's call a spade a spade. We're a new series and there are startup costs. We need swimmers! More swimmers makes for a better event, a better swim community, and helps pay the bills. Many of you know us. Some of you have become very dear to us.... and all because of swimming. Come on out and be a part of year one!
Registration is here --> https://goo.gl/SLM7Eb
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
K : swimdiesel
B : SWMDSL