Three Lake Country ladies are providing inspiration for many around them as they prepare for this coming weekend's Across the Lake Swim in Kelowna.
Spanning from ages 61 to 81, Linda Hamilton, Jenny Wilkinson and Irene Linden have taken on a schedule of weekly swimming practice since November to prepare themselves for the 2.1 kilometre swim across Okanagan Lake which takes July 16.
Besides the weekly swim regime in a pool, they have added lake training and can be cheered on from the shore in the early morning around Okanagan Safe Harbour regional park and boat launch.
When asked what motivated them to take on this kind of physical challenge, they smiled and shared that the goal of the lake swim provided the motivation for extra activity to contribute to their own health and wellness and was something they had never tried before.
They also added that the camaraderie and social aspects are also fun.
The Across the Lake Swim in Kelowna is billed as Canada's largest open water swim. Beginning in 1949, it is now in its 68th year.