Dan Nichols
Dan Nichols is a Canadian triathlete and open water swimmer who became one of a handful of individuals to successfully cross Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes in North America. At the age of 37, he swam across in 20 hours 45 minutes to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Contents
Lake Erie Course
Nichols swam 51.4 km from the Presque Isle Lighthouse in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA (42° 09' 56" N, 80° 06' 56" W) to the beach at the foot of the Abigail Becker Parkway in Long Point, Ontario, Canada (42° 34' 44" N, 80° 24' 27" W) in 20 hours 45 minutes, ratified by the Solo Swims of Ontario.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake (by surface area) of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes. It is bounded by Ontario to the north, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to the south, and Michigan to the west. The lake is named after the Erie tribe of Native Americans who lived along its southern shore. The outflow from the lake provides hydroelectric power to Canada and the U.S. as it spins huge turbines at Niagara Falls.
Successful Marathon Swims Across Central Lake Erie
Recognized and Ratified by LEOWSA
1975: Pat Budney swam 26 miles (41.8 km) in 25 hours 52 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Presque Isle State Park - Beach 10, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA on 20 August 1975. Note: his finish beach is now named Budney Beach in his honor.
1989: Bob North and Harvey Snell swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach, North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 12 August 1989
1992: Bob Weir, age 49, Canada swam 27 miles (43 km) in 23 hours 41 minutes from Dunkirk, New York, USA to Mohawk Point, Ontario Canada 26-27 August
1993: Halli Reid swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 17 hours from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach, North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 9 August 1993 (first woman). Note: Nearby Park is now named in her honor.
1995: Greg Sarbak swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 13 hours 30 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 21 August 1995
1998: Paula Stephanson: swam 27 miles (43 km) in 18 hours 23 minutes from Dunkirk, New York USA to Rock Point Provincial Park, Ontario Canada 18-19 July
2002: Paula Jongerden swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 23 hours 36 minutes from Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA to Long Point, Ontario, Canada on 21 August 2002
2005: Sara McClure swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 8 August 2005
2006: Josh Heynes swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 11 hours 53 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 9 August 2006
2007: Dan Nichols swam 32.2 miles (51.4 km) in 20 hours 45 minutes 57 seconds from Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA to Abigail Becker Parkway, Long Point, Ontario on 5 August
2007: Sonya Pyle swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 14 hours 9 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 6 August 2007
2009: Randy McElwain swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 11 hours 23 minutes 33 seconds from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 24 August
2010: Mitch Ranzenberger swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 17 hours 47 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 1 August
2011: Josh Heynes swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 11 hours 16 minutes 40 seconds from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 9 July (course record time)
2011: Melanie Reade swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) in 13 hours 35 minutes 33 seconds from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 31 July (course record time for women)
2011: Randy McElwain swam 32.5 miles (51.5 km) in 16 hours 26 minutes 6 seconds from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Dobbin's Landing - Erie, Pennsylvania, USA on 30 August (longest distance across Lake Erie)
2012: Eric Mizuba swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) across Lake Erie in 14 hours 34 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 29 July
Unsanctioned and Unofficial
2013: Mike Ferritto swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) across Lake Erie in 15 hours 20 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 1 August 2013
2013: Steve Wargo swam 24.3 miles (39.1 km) across Lake Erie in 20 hours 7 minutes from Long Point, Ontario, Canada to Freeport Beach - North East Twp., Pennsylvania, USA on 1 August 2013
External links
- The History Behind And After Budney Beach
- Lake Erie swimmer sets speed record
- Great Swims In Great Lakes
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Overcoming The Odds, Halli Reid
- Paula Jongerden Completes Lake Erie Swim
- Lake Erie swimmer sets speed record
- Dan Nichols To Attempt Crossing Of Lake Erie]
- Open Water Swimming
- Marathon Swimming
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Blue-Green Marine Disaster Masks Successes In Lake Erie
