Skeena Swim News
August 13 2009 » Skeena Swim » The Northern View
Skeena River swim ends Saturday at North Pacific Cannery
After 28 days, Ail Howard’s swim down the Skeena will wrap up on Saturday at North Pacific Cannery.
By Shaun Thomas – The Northern View
Published: August 11, 2009 11:00 PM
0 Comments
After 28-days spent swimming the Skeena River from its origin at the Sacred Headwaters, 33-year old Ali Howard will conclude her journey with a special ceremony at North Pacific Cannery in Port Edward this Saturday.
The public is being invited to welcome Howard at North Pacific Cannery when she arrives at one p.m., with organizers asking people to be at the cannery between 12 and 12:30. Her arrival on the North Coast and the end of her journey will be marked by speeches and food for those in attendance and, due to the lack of parking at the facility, a shuttle will take people to North Pacific from the parking area along Skeena Road at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Throughout her swim Howard says she has been “overwhelmed, to say the least” by the response from the many who have attended community events along the route.
“When we conceived the swim, the idea was to get the community out to celebrate with us, and people are. It’s almost surprising how many people have come out to share their stories of the river and their goals and expectations for the Skeena,” said Howard from her stop in Kispiox on August 6.
“It’s a humbling experience to come in and be welcomed by people with such hospitality and such open arms…The swim is going so well to date. I think something much greater than the sum of its part is occurring. It’s been an exceptional journey with a fantastic response.”
And while looking forward to stepping onto the dock at the Cannery to end her swim, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the Sacred Headwaters and the Skeena watershed to those in the Northwest, Howard said she also doesn’t want the journey to be
over.
“It’s a fantastic journey and something I am so happy to be on. It’s something that I think will carry on even after the swim is done.”
On August 4 Howard was joined in the water by Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, who joined Howard in her swim from Kispiox Village to Hazelton.
