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Canaqua Sports Presents : Welland Canal Open Water Swim [Swim Diesel]

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The Welland Canal is always a treat to swim in. But today I almost didn't.


Last night I went to bed after having spent time with my family, much of whom were visiting from Winnipeg. I left the gang at my sisters and made the journey solo back to where I am currently hanging my hat. I did the bedtime math game where I calculated how much sleep would be a good idea, how long the upcoming drive would take, and exactly how much sleep I would get if I went to bed precisely.... I mean - I was a math ninja. About 45 minutes after I went to sleep I woke up in excruciating pain in my abdomen. 2 hours later with all the plans dashed and a whole lot of "Too Much Information" I had dulled the pain enough that I could lie down again. Oh, there was some mass amount of Pepto involved. I woke up as planned at 5am (yes) and felt better than the previous time I had woken up but was certainly not feeling great. I had to make the choice.... go back to bed or go to Welland and get my tshirt.

With more Pepto I made the journey without incident. Immediately I requested a step down from my scheduled 10km to the 2.5km. It was then that I was volunasked to put out the turn buoys at the end of the course.


Putting them in was quite simple.... or so I thought. The way that I put them in cause the weight at the bottom to not truly anchor. This resulted in the first turn buoy buggering off past the NEXT bridge which unfortunately swimmers swam to as their turn. They got more bang for their buck. We fixed this shortly after we realized that we had a buoy going on a swim of its own.


As for the swims themselves I think they went pretty well (other than that buoy). We had a different start point than in previous years. In fact, I've done an August race here 3 different occasions and it has been 3 different "events" strictly speaking. Anyways - this year we started from the dock on the side of the canal. I don't think anyone minded.



The 10km and 5km got the bright and early start. Later the 1km swimmers got to walk 1km down to swim 1km back.


After that (and after I had returned from saving the buoys life) it was my swim, the 2.5km. This was just one lap of the canal. I finished right in the middle which is no surprise. I've certainly put in better swims but as my good friends Stu & Erica gently remind us all "You get out what you put in"... which in hindsight makes me wonder what I ate to feel so rotten.


As usual - the canal treated us well. It was a great event once again put on by Ian and his team. I had the opportunity to hang out with my sometimes teammate and homie Carly.



But once again the coolest part of the event was watching Robin Lajoie (60 something years old) complete the 10km which he swam with the butterfly stroke. I like butterfly more than most, although I swim a survival version of butterfly, and I cannot fathom how it is possible for your body to allow you to swim 10km (or more) with that stroke. My hat is off to you sir.





Until I touch the wall.....

Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion

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