Twenty-one swimmers and their kayaker escorts braved the North Atlantic waters and crossed the Bell Island Tickle for the 7th annual Tickle Swim for Mental Health.
Swimmers are in the water along with their kayak escorts. It’s a perfect day on the water!
@590VOCM @tickleswim @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/gxdH5Gpdpn— AmyFitzpatrickVOCM (@AmyVocm) August 10, 2019
The swimmers were greeted on the Bell Island side of the tickle with cheers and support from family, friends and volunteers this morning.
Family and friends wait for swimmers to arrive on the Bell Island side of the tickle. Photo by Amy Fitzpatrick
Shannon Fisher was one of the swimmers. She says that she was exhausted and that the swim was really difficult but she loved every minute of it. She says her kayaker partner and friend, Sonya talked her through the tough parts and told her, “we got this.”
Shannon Fisher and her kayaker escort, Sonya. Photo by Amy Fitzpatrick
The 5 km open-ocean swim from Portugal Cove-St. Phillips to Bell island started at 7 a.m. and concluded around 9:30 with a reception at Dick’s fish and Chips.
Each swimmer aimed to raise one-thousand-dollars that will be used to support mental health initiatives in this province.
The waters were smooth and weather warm for the Tickle Swim. Photo by Amy Fitzpatrick
Fundraising continues online for another two weeks. To donate visit www.tickleswim.com
