It isn't hard to attract people from far and wide to swim across Kalamalka Lake.
Swimmers from as far as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and Japan took part in the third annual Across the Lake Swim and emerged from the water at Coldstream's Kal Beach, where many left with a medal around their neck Saturday, Aug. 16.
"It's one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and I really enjoyed it," Kelowna swimmer Brent Hobbes said of the signature bright-blue lake, and the swim. "Especially (Juniper Bay) on the other side of the provincial park. It's absolutely stunning. I swam along the cliff 香蕉视频直播� we live in such a beautiful place. The water was calm, the race was well organized."
Hobbes, 57, has been swimming all his life. Seventeen years ago, he swam the English Channel, one of the world's ultimate swimming tests at just under 34 kilometres.
Race director Peter Rudd said the race has kept growing in its early years, and this year is no different.
"This year we've had people from all over the world come," he said.
Asked what brings people to this event, Rudd said, "It's the lake. It's 100 per cent the lake."
Swimmers could race a 1.5, 4.5 or 10-kilometre race and were sorted into different age categories, with plenty of medals given out.
"The longer distances, you get more competitive swimmers," Rudd said.
He said proceeds from the event will support the YMCA Okanagan Swims program. So far, more than $166,000 has been donated to the program, providing free swim lessons to more than 20,000 kids. Rudd said Saturday's event alone will generate between $5,000 and $10,000 for the program.
