Spectator article

https://www.thespec.com/community-story/8853741-hamilton-psychiatrist-marilyn-korzekwa-conquers-lake-superior/

Marilyn is going back to California

Yes, its official. Marilyn is going back to the Santa Barbara channel to try the crossing from Santa Cruz Island again Sept. 11, 12 or 13.
This would be a 1 am start on Sept 12, 13, or 14 in Eastern time.
This time I hope I won't have any wildlife encounters.

Marilyn's story of Lake Superior

Staring down my fears with the Mishipeshu ceremony really helped my attitude before the swim. I was looking forward to the challenge. I also realized that I haven't wanted to conquer a lake this much since fog foiled my first attempt at Lake Ontario and I had to try again.
The dragon I had to stare down for Lake Superior is the legendary frigid water and high waves. But I knew swimming it was doable with meticulous planning. I used historical weather records to select the date, consulted 8 weather websites, trusted my very experienced captain to select the best day, brought my very experienced team, and arranged more boats and safety equipment than required by Solo Swims of Ontario.
What a spectacular lake! Beautiful clean blue water. In fact, Gitchee Gumee means shining blue seawater. Cliffs and hills were the view we were swimming towards since sunrise. Lake Superior is the definition of the beauty of Canada for me.
The swim started on the sandy spit of Whitefish Point. It was an awesome feeling standing there at 3 am with water on 3 sides staring into the blackness that was my route. The air was 61 degrees F and the water was flat. The first 45 minutes weren't bad but then the water temperature dropped and the cool air started getting to me. I picked up the pace. We threaded our way between 3 tankers in the dark. Fortunately the sky was already getting lighter by 5:15. Of course, we had planned to minimize the night hours for this reason, but we had to start in the dark to make sure I finished in daylight. I finally started to feel warmer around 8 am as the air warmed. The  water temperature was a chilly 62 F for most of the swim, forcing me to keep my brisk pace going. It was a sunny day with a high of 68 F. When we passed the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, I commemorated the moment by singing the song to myself. Mid morning, there was about 2 hours of nasty waves hitting me broadside up to 3 feet that were really straining my shoulders. I just kept thinking about the dragon and that I could cope with these waves. Eventually, the waves settled down and turned to push me. Then the dragon smiled and flattened the water. The last 4 hours were a joy. I could see the sand about 50 feet down, and saw it slowly rise over about a kilometre. What a glorious feeling to finish a swim on a beach in the daylight! Thank you Mishipeshu.
Thank you to captain David Steele and family who did an awesome job and knows this lake and it's winds inside out. Thank you to Doug Porter and family who accompanied us in their beautiful powerboat. Thank you to my ever faithful crew and family for helping me realize my dream in 12:09. It was 28.7 km.
And last but not least, thank you to everyone who donated to Sashbear.

3.5 miles left

Showing no signs of slowing. Water is 62 and waves have calmed down to 1 foot swells with the wind now in her favour

Over halfway and holding at a steady 62 strokes per minute. A jovial coffee was had around 9 am with a pacer joining for the preceding hour and festivities. Core temp holding steady with only a .02 degrees Fahrenheit drop recorded. Pacer came out of the water shaking with blue lips but Marilyn is going strong and reminded us to update the blog

After 2 hours Marilyn is swimming faster at 66 strokes per minute instead of her usual 60 to generate more body heat. Water temp is 64 and she has swum 2.9 naut. miles. She is feeding every 45 minutes with food supplements high in carbs electrolytes and protein mixed with hot water.

Marilyn left the sandy spit at Whitefish Point Michigan at 3:15 am with calm water and water  temp of 66F. She has had her first feed and is on her way. Distance travelled is 1.6 nautical miles or about 1.7 statute miles. Steelin Time is 40 ft sailboat setting the course in the lead and Aye Kandy 37ft Sea Ray is following as support and evacuation vessel should the need arise. There are two zodiacs beside her keeping a watchful eye on her at all times.

Swim is on for 2 to 3 a.m. tonight

The wind is settling down. Waves will be less than a foot at 3 a.m. and maybe even less during the afternoon. Water is a bit cooler with the wind last night. In the range of 64 to 67 degrees F. Warmer than my English Channel swim.

Mishipeshu

Mishipeshu is the underwater creature that looks like a panther-dragon that lives in Lake Superior. The image of a feline shape with horns, palmed paws and scale covered dragon tail is featured in pictographs in the region. A fascinating artist, Ellen Van Laar, told us all about him. We went to visit her yesterday at her studio on the shore of Lake Superior north of Pancake Bay to thank her for connecting me with my boat captain. Mishipeshu, according to Ojibway legend, has the power to create waves and wind. Ellen says you have to stare him down to get his respect. Furthermore, he symbolizes fear of the unknown under the surface, in other words, unconscious fears. She suggested we do a little homage service to him with traditional symbols of copper and tobacco. After my bad luck in California, I was ready to dive into local traditions. 

I think that this legend is a great metaphor for life, staring down your conscious and unconscious fears. 

Swim cancelled tonight

We have cancelled the swim for tonight. The waves are oncoming broadside at 4 feet at Whitefish Point, the start. It will take most of tomorrow to settle down. 
We are now aiming for a 1 am start on Sunday.

Tracker link

https://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0yWtmlNiE6LcNq6Ke7FjUpBqkfKEhNG3L

I FINALLY got the link working. But its not as pretty as maps made by experienced users.
Please ignore any spots on the highway. Don't panic if no spots come up, tune in later.

Picture of Marilyn at Pancake Bay

On this Lake Superior swim, there is an independent film crew accompanying me, Kalli and Kaija. I would like to credit them with the picture of me at Pancake Bay and the beautiful sunset photo.
If you look over my left shoulder, you will see the strip of land that is Pancake Point. Our preferred landing spot is in the middle of the treed peninsula behind me where the sand starts.

Swim starts in 27 hours

The swim is scheduled to start at around 3 am  on Saturday morning.
We have been busy organizing crew, rides and equipment.
My CTV Up North interview is available for viewing at https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1462748
Sorry for the limited updates. There is no wifi here.

Swim on Saturday

We had our crew meeting this evening. Looks like the weather is best for a departure at 3 a.m. Saturday (Friday night).

Checking out the start

Yesterday we went to Whitefish Point, Michigan. I wanted to see it in the daylight because I will be starting in the dark. We saw the Shipwreck museum and the actual bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald. I got to swim from the lighthouse to the end of the point, a distance of about a kilometer. The sandy part of the point seems to go on forever, as you can see in the picture where the point is at the edge of the photo. The water was about 67 deg. F. I finally got in some water that is close to the temperature I will be swimming through. A freighter went by while I was swimming, only about a kilometer from the point.
This morning I did an interview with CBC radio in Sudbury. It will probably be airing on CBC at 4.

Greetings from Sault Ste Marie

We arrived safely last night in time for a quick swim. The water was 76 deg. F. In Whitefish Bay. Too warm! I'm going to have to go the mouth of the bay to find the temperature I will be swimming in, which is mid 60s. We met Captain David yesterday. He thinks Friday looks good.

Another article

Here's another great article in the Hamilton news.
htpps://www.hamiltonnews.com/community-story/8797220-hamilton-s-marilyn-korzekwa-ready-to-tackle-lake-superior

Getting ready for Lake Superior

I'm busy packing and making arrangements for my Lake Superior swim August 18.
Here is a recent article in Hamilton news.
https://www.hamiltonnews.com/community-story/8749192-hamilton-s-marilyn-korzekwa-to-swim-across-lake-superior-for-sashbear-foundation/