Ontario Provincial Masters Championship
5 km Open-Water Swim
September 7, 2008

The 5 kilometre Provincial Championship Swim has been held annually for the last 23 years at a reclaimed quarry in the Town of St. Mary’s. After the quarrying of stone ceased the Town turned the quarry into a public swimming pool during the summer months. It measures 500 metres in length, 200 metres in width and in14 metres depth. The source of water is from springs and the temperature hovers around a cool 21o C. Part of the rules state that no wet suits or triathlon suits are allowed.

The competition is open to all registered masters swimmers 18 years of age and older. Swimmers complete 11 laps of a triangular course. Results are divided into 5 year age groups. This year the fastest time was a blistering 1:07:47 and the slowest an arduous 3:09:32.

From the Arnprior Greyfish Masters 5 swimmers entered. Ken Marchant who has recently moved to Guelph, has completed the course for the last 15 years, however, this year, at the age of 81, was forced to withdraw after 2 laps due to a muscle spasm. The remaining Arnprior swimmers have been training for the event throughout the summer by swimming three times a week at the Burnstown Beach. At each practice the swimmers swam from the Beach to the Burnstown Bridge and back in an enlarged loop of two kilometres.

Jane Dowd and Jackie Stadnyk placed second and third in their age groups. Ralph Chown and Gail MacDowall placed first in her age groups. Additionally Gail was awarded the trophy for this year’s most mature female to complete the course.