TRACK JESSI'S SWIM HERE: http://track.rs/jessi

Renowned distance ocean swimmer Jessi Harewicz, 42, will embark on a challenging swim from Squamish to Horseshoe Bay, setting off during the tidal window of Sunday 8th - Tuesday 10th June starting at around 2am. This demanding endurance feat, estimated to take approximately 12 hours, aims to raise vital funds for Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) Station 04 in Squamish. 

Vancouver-born and raised, Harewicz’s swimming journey began in synchronized swimming before returning to the water in 2015. A 2016 diagnosis of degenerative hip impingement shifted her athletic focus from Ironman to open water swimming. In the past eight years, she has accumulated an impressive list of international accomplishments, including being the first Canadian to swim the North Channel (Ireland to Scotland) and Monterey Bay (California), a grueling 40 km swim known for its challenging conditions.

Locally, Harewicz holds the record for the longest unassisted (no wetsuit or touching the boat) ocean swim in the Salish Sea – a 30-hour, 58 km swim from Nanaimo Harbour to Kitsilano Beach in 2019. She has also circumnavigated all of the Átl'ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Islands in 2018 and 2021. Last year, Jessi swam the 51 km width of Lake Ontario to raise money for the Lifesaving Society.

Her upcoming Howe Sound swim is part of her ongoing "Átl'ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Swimming Project," through which she aims to create a comprehensive swim map for fellow swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts. "It’s taken a few years," Harewicz notes, "but I understand why nobody wants to swim big distances in Howe Sound. There’s lots of planning and logistics. Lots of little islands placed close together with some crazy wind patterns and currents." Despite the challenges, she finds immense beauty in the region: "The snow capped mountains, the indigenous stories, driftwood, the seals and other wildlife, make it a place to swim like no other."

Each swim undertaken involves in depth safety planning, reviewing tides, weather, currents and speaking to local experts. As an advocate for safe open water recreation Harewicz is always keen to promote trip planning as she knows all too well how conditions can change quickly. Her support boat will follow her throughout the swim and a live track will be available for people to follow her adventure. 

We're incredibly thankful that Jessi is fundraising for us," says Rob Walter, station leader of RCM-SAR Station 4 in Squamish. "As a fully volunteer crew, it's only through the kind donations of local individuals and businesses that we're able to support our community year-round.”

Support Jessi Harewicz's incredible endeavor and contribute to the campaign for RCM-SAR Station 04.