Salt Spring Seals
SALT SPRING SEALS
The Salt Spring Seals began on a cold February afternoon in 2002 when I traveled to Sombreo Beach on Vancouver Island for a photo shoot: Swimming With Trout photographic series. I had rented wetsuits for the occasion and after the shoot I took my first winter dip in the cold waters of Juan de Fuca Strait. It was exhilarating and provided a new avenue for health and wholeness.
The same year that I began my daily swims in the ocean, I was joined first by one and then, soon after, a pod of eager swimmers – thus began the Salt Spring Seals. We are now a group of fifteen strong, swimming in the various bay around our island, year-round. We love to share the challenge of open water swimming and encourage curious swimmers to join us in our pursuit of wellness and aqua-adventure.
· Pat Burkette article “The Daily Dippers” Time Colonist April 2005
· PDF – Pat Burkette article “Stroking Past the Cold” Aqua Magazine June 2006
· www.gulfislands.net
· “Swimming Into My Life”, Diana Hayes,
published in Companions,Winter 2007 Volume 16, number 1
Ali Nichols after The Crossing 2004
Diana Hayes and Elly Silverman greet Rob Dyke at Clover Point Oct.2/05
following his epic swim around Vancouver Island
Joni Ganderton joins the Seals with help from Diana and Chris
Salt Spring Seals at Southey Point July 2007
Painting of Seals at Vesuvius Bay by Ellen Mae Simmonds
Common sighting at Grannie’s Bay
Salt Spring Seals following “The Crossing”, June 2004, where they swam from Crofton on Vancouver Island to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island to raise money for the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre.
Pat Parkes performs her ritual wave for the Salt Spring Seals
Salt Spring Seals and Kayakers on “The Crossing”, June 2004.
Salt Spring Seals following a frosty swim in Vesuvius Bay, March 2005.
