There is something empowering about making a positive change in the face of a disease that can make us feel so utterly powerless.
The Annual SwimBowen event does all of that and so much more. It is an extraordinary celebration of community from near and far attracting both elite athletes and beginner ocean swimmers all bubbling with enthusiasm and generosity.
This year we raised a whopping $50,658 for our signature Cancer Care Fund supporting island residents in active cancer treatment. The generosity is literally worldwide with donations coming from as far away as Australia, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and France.
Congratulations to our top fundraiser - Anne Chollat who raised a stunning total of $5,026. Her fundraising style is just like her swim: slow, steady and uniquely determined.
There were several communications with myself sorting out deliveries of personal cheques, each with handwritten (and perhaps somewhat cryptic) messages, enclosed in a plastic bag and tacked to my front gate. I don’t think it gets more Bowen Island than that.
At one point Anne referred to her winning fundraising style as “water torture.” Well chosen words Anne!
Sporting her handmade cougar swim hat, Anne accepted this year’s Grand Prize Whistler Get-Away valued at $2,200: 3 nights accommodation at Delta Suites (thank you Mr. CA!), 2 Whistler Blackcomb lift tickets (thank you Kate Roddick and Vail Resorts!) and a $200 gift card to Il Caminetto Restaurant.
Hurray to the top overall finishers! 1,500 metre event: First Place - Lukas Musselman from North Vancouver, 20:18; Second Place - Mark Kennedy from Vancouver 21:48; Third Place - Kisely Barbic from West Vancouver, 21:50.
Top Overall finishers for the 750 metre event: First Place - Jeni Redekopp from Bowen Island, 17:25; Second Place - Olivia Gleser from Bellingham, 17:29; Third Place - Nicki Harris from Seattle, 17:33.
A special shout out to Artisan Eats, The Ruddy, and the General Store for keeping everyone nourished, to Basia’s Bowen Island Event Rentals, to Ana Aguayo and the Wellness Centre for providing on-site massage, to our course setters Cameron Rolfe, Mike Shannon and Gord Rose, and to our water and land safety team - we are nothing without you: Billi Behm, Lisa Brougham, Amanda Ockleon, Andy Hoppenrath, Beatrice Rose, Bryan Baker, Jo Quarry, Quinten Foellmer, Kate Brougham, Peter and Sophie Walter, and Sue Fairburn.
To our corporate and community sponsors, your combined support comes to a staggering value of $18,102. We have no words. To our legion of volunteers, our 360-plus donors, and of course to our fabulous swimmers - please know that together you create enough joy to buoy us throughout the year.
Thank you for making a meaningful difference to those that need it most. Mark your calendars, rest up and see you on the beach for July 11, SwimBowen 2026!
