West Kelowna Man Swims From USA to Canada

Paul Duffield swimming in Osoyoos Lake. (Photo Credit: Ashley Russo)

West Kelowna resident Paul Duffield completed the first recorded solo swim of Osoyoos Lake from Oroville, Washington to Osoyoos, B.C. on Saturday.

Duffield was already Canada's first (and only) swimmer from his December 2012 challenge of swimming a mile in Okanagan Lake. On Saturday, however, Duffield changed temperatures with his solo marathon swim in Osoyoos Lake, which is reputedly Canada's warmest.

For over a year. Duffield researched the swim and wrote dozens of letters and emails. “When I first came up with the idea in February 2013 I had no idea who I needed to speak to for permission to do this,” said Duffield. “In fact, I didn't even know if it was possible.” Duffield was eventually contacted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Osoyoos, whom Duffield says were instrumental in organizing the swim.

Left to right: Ashley Russo, Angelique Duffield, Paul Duffield, Phred Martin. (Photo Credit: Angelique Duffield)

Alan Profili, Chief of Operations for the Port of Osoyoos, CBSA, said that the agency was “happy for the opportunity to facilitate this unique cross border swim. We would like to congratulate Mr. Duffield on his achievement.”

Duffield took 5 hrs 45 minutes to complete his USA-Canada swim. At 10:38 a.m., he started at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Oroville. Thankfully, swimming conditions were perfect with sunny weather and minimal winds.

Two kayakers supported Duffield in his swim: Ashley Russo, a member of Duffield's Ice Swim Team, and Phred Martin, who swam the English Channel in 2013 with a relay team. Duffield's wife, Angelique, was also there for support.

At the end, however, Duffield was suffering considerable pain. Duffield has arthritis in both his hand and wrist, and he commented, “I very nearly quit when we reached Haynes Point Provincial Park, after swimming for four hours. My hand ached and felt like it was burning, and I had sharp pains in my fingers and wrist. I told myself that as long as my arms kept turning over, I would continue to the end.” At 4:23 p.m., Duffield reached Gyro Park in Osoyoos.

When asked what he would do next, Duffield joked, “I have no firm plans yet, but I'll have to get out the map book and see what piques my interest.”

Duffield celebrating in Gyro Park after completing his swim. (Photo Credit: Angelique Duffield)