AYLESFORD, N.S. — Mother and daughter swimmers, Elaine and Scotia Broome, crossed the Northumberland Strait recently to aid Brigadoon Village.
On Aug. 18, 16-year-old Scotia completed about 15.5 km feat in four hours and 35 minutes and Elaine covered a few more kilometers in about 5 hours and 40 minutes.
“It was the hardest thing I have ever done but I am so incredibly happy to have done it,” Elaine said afterward. “Loved doing it with Scotia and having our family members as support.”
They were two of 44 swimmers this year who took part in The Big Swim, crossing the strait from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island and contributing over $160,000 to Brigadoon Village.
The Wolfville swimmers raised more than $3,400.
The annual event is not a race and therefore not officially timed, Broome said, but her daughter bettered her time during her second year taking on the challenge.
The aim is for everyone to achieve their individual goals and to finish the swim safely, Broome said.
“A special thank you to our kayakers Tom Shreve and Steve Broome for keeping us safe.”
Open water swimming is hard to compare from race to race because of all the variables, including weather, currents, tide etc., said Broome.
“Scotia swam extremely well and as good as last year,” she added. “The event caters to both beginner and elite swimmers as well as those in between.
There were some really quick swimmers participating this year, including some former Olympians.
Broome, who did some long-distance swimming in Australia, said she would recommend the event to all levels of swimmers who want a great physical challenge as well as the added bonus of fundraising for Brigadoon Village.
Last year, the currents were stronger and most swimmers swam greater distances as a result, Broome said.
“This year the weather was cooler and rainy to start and the water was very choppy in the middle of the straight causing many of the swimmers to suffer from nausea.”
After participating with this event for two years in a row, she said, her family feels like part of the ‘Give to Live’ family and hopes to continue participating in the future.
“Next year we want to volunteer for the event so that we can help other swimmers achieve their goals of swimming from N.B. to P.E.I. The event is equal parts swimmers/kayakers/volunteers - together forming an awesome swimming event and raising money for the awesome place that Brigadoon is.”
There were a number of swimmers, kayakers and volunteers participating this year to honour their friend and the founder of Brigadoon Village, Dave McKeage, who died at the end of 2018.
Wolfville area resident Jen Kelday acted as kayaker for Dale O’Neil. They were among four original Brigadoon staff members who took part in McKeage’s memory.
Kelday said O’Neil only began swimming back in February.
“That commemorative aspect,” she said, “made it extra special. Many of us were feeling a huge hole and missing Dave. The Big Swim was a way to channel some positive energy and see the new community around the event.”
Broome said everyone was inspired to raise funds for a legacy that positively impacts the lives of thousands of children living with chronic health conditions.
The BigSwim is just one of three events that Give To Live organizes each year to fundraise through fitness challenges. Give To Live also organizes The Big Chill, a snowshoeing event that raises money for the Lawrencetown Education Centre, and The Big Ride, a cycling event that raises money for The Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute.
The average swimmer takes six hours to complete the strait crossing, says event director Heather McGrath.
The Big Swim raised more than $160,000 for Brigadoon Village summer camp in the Annapolis Valley.
“Over the years to date, $1.3 million has been raised for the charity,” said McGrath. The Big Swim has taken place for nine summers.
Each swimmer commits to pay a fee of $200 to sign up and to raise up to $1,500 for Brigadoon Village.
The event is held by Give to Live, an organization raising money for cancer-related charities.
Brigadoon Village, a camp located at Aylesford Lake, is dedicated to helping children with health issues experience camping and the opportunity to meet kids just like them.
To learn more about Brigadoon Village visit, brigadoonvillage.org.
