February 25 2009 » Home FeatureSkeena Swim
One Woman, One River
Smithers resident Ali Howard is going to extreme lengths to educate people about the importance of Northwest BC’s Skeena River. This summer the 33 year-old woman plans to swim the River’s entire 610-km length, from the Sacred Headwaters to the Pacific Ocean.
“The Skeena is one of North America’s most magnificent rivers,” said Howard. “I’m hoping my swim will help strengthen connections among Skeena residents and build a common vision for the watershed’s future.”
A project of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, Howard’s swim will trace the annual migration of Skeena wild salmon.
“My swim is inspired by the salmon,” said Howard. “They’re a powerful metaphor of connectedness and a very real part of our region’s way of life. Everything that happens in our watershed affects the salmon.”
“We need to work together as residents of the Skeena to ensure future generations can enjoy the same quality of life we do,” added Howard.
The swim will take approximately three weeks for Howard to complete. Along the way, she will encounter numerous hazards, including rapids, waterfalls, log jams, and whirlpools. In addition to a drysuit to protect her against the frigid water, a professional safety team trained by Rescue 3 International will accompany her.
“It’s really a team effort,” said Howard. “I fully trust my team members and don’t plan to take any unnecessary risks. I am training hard and hope to complete the swim successfully, I will certainly try my best.”
Howard plans to hit the water July 21. The Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition will be organizing a number of events to coincide with her arrival in communities along the route. “I know she can do it!” Says executive director Shannon McPhail, “She might be shy and quiet but she is tenacious!”
Ali Howard is a professional chef working at The Cliffs at Kispiox River – Bearclaw Lodge in the remote reaches of the Kispiox Valley. Ali works with the Allen family who are long time residents of the Skeena Watershed and active members of SWCC, after a short conversation about what she could do to help maintain the health and integrity of the Skeena Watershed – Ali decided to explore the idea of swimming the Skeena. Working with SWCC, she had many conversations about the risks involved and the mammoth physical demand she will place on her body. Ali has had conversations with Fin Donnelly, the man who has completed several marathon swims including the entire Fraser River, the Georgia Strait, and Quesnel Lake, to learn the things that worked for him. Ali will have a team dedicated to her safety and health during the swim.
Hazelton kayaker and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Chris Gee, will be Howard’s closest companion on the trip. He will paddle alongside her for the entire duration, a luxury Fin Donnelly didn’t have his first swim of the Fraser. Gee also has an intense training regime to get ready for his 610km paddle.
If you would like to help Ali raise funds for her swim and for conservation efforts in the Skeena Watershed, visit our Donation Page or join the pledge challenge (see more info below) and you are welcome to send your good wishes and questions to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Watch our YouTube trailer with Ali or join Ali’s Facebook Group.
PLEDGE CHALLENGE – Who can collect the MOST pledges for Ali’s swim?! We will send you a pledge sheet and you can gather donations to help make this trip possible! Don’t worry, there’s more than one category for the challenge. Youth, business and individual pledge gatherers each have an opportunity to win a large framed photo of the Skeena AND 2 spots in one of the boats for one day during the swim! There’s lots of other prizes as well so send us an email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and join the Pledge Challenge!
Check out the Spirit of the Skeena Blog to get all the details.
