Okanagan swimmers make a splash overseas

VERNON – Five Okanagan swimmers are overseas in Europe braving the English Channel.

They call themselves the Okanagan Lake Monsters, and will be swimming the 35-kilometre route (45 kilometres in strong ocean currents) as a relay team.

The team is made up of Mike Stamhuis (Canadian Masters record holder and chief administrative officer for District of Coldstream), Phred Martin, Denise Cesselli, Tracey Sutton and Leora Dahl.

Swimmers hit the water in Dover, England and finish near Calais, France. The best and safest window for swimming the channel is between July 29 and August 7. The waters have claimed lives before, including that of a 34-year-old British woman earlier this month.

The Lake Monsters are raising money for the YMCA's Y Strong Kids Campaign, which gives children and families the opportunity to participate in sports.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.

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Charlotte Helston

REPORTER

Charlotte Helston grew up in Armstrong and after four years studying writing at the University of Victoria, she came back to do what she loves most: Connect with the community and bringing its stories to life.

Covering Vernon for iNFOnews.ca has reinforced her belief in community. The people and the stories she encounters every day—at the courthouse, City Hall or on the street—show the big tales in a small town.

If you have an opinion to share or a story you'd like covered, contact Charlotte at Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230.

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