(This story has been updated only to reflect the postponement of the swimming attempt to Monday, July 31.)

A pair of Greater Victoria swimmers are looking to make history as the latest in the modern era to swim across the Juan de Fuca Strait.

The two, of James Bay and Jill Yoneda of Cadboro Bay, postponed the 29.5-kilometre swim attempt until Monday.

Simmons is no stranger to with a list of but Yoneda, who had major surgery on her right leg just seven weeks ago, is new to the sport.

TheyB次元官网网址檒l boat over on Saturday night and attempt the swim early on Sunday from a beach near Port Angeles, Wash. to the shores of Victoria, possibly Clover Point, ala Marilyn (Bell) Di Lascio of 1956.

Last year the duo swam through a 50-kilometre stretch of the and attempted another leg of the Great Bear in June only to be turned around by poor conditions. TheyB次元官网网址檙e holding out hope that the Juan de Fuca will be swimmable during the seasonB次元官网网址檚 best window for weather.

B次元官网网址淚t will be cold, and actually, I donB次元官网网址檛 think I want to know how cold it will be,B次元官网网址� Simmons said. B次元官网网址淚 expect it to be about 10 or 11 C, which is colder than any major swim IB次元官网网址檝e done. So IB次元官网网址檇 rather not be told.B次元官网网址�

At best, it will be sunny and 12 C. Ideally, thereB次元官网网址檒l be little wind.

Simmons will abide by the open-water swimmerB次元官网网址檚 code using only a swimsuit, goggles and a cap. Yoneda, a three-time Canadian record holder in free diving, will forego the code and wear a wetsuit, as if thatB次元官网网址檚 anything to scoff about.

The two trained at Willows Beach over the winter in water as cool as 3 C. It was so cold the swimming pool thermometer Simmons attaches to the back of her swimsuit wouldnB次元官网网址檛 even register.

B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 trained [my body] enough to do it without a wetsuit,B次元官网网址� Yoneda said.

Obviously, weB次元官网网址檙e talking about a pair of tough Canadians. Simmons, 52, and Yoneda, 42, are attempting a feat only a few people have accomplished. Because Yoneda will wear a wetsuit she wonB次元官网网址檛 make the same list as Marilyn Bell, but thatB次元官网网址檚 OK with her.

Yoneda, like Simmons, has overcome life challenges most people never face.

So far, Yoneda has had nine surgeries on her legs and 15 in total. Her most recent surgery, on her right leg, pulled all the muscle off her right tibia to create room for the major artery. ItB次元官网网址檚 the ninth surgery to correct a rare condition called popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, which affects her from the knee down.

B次元官网网址淚t means her muscles are too big for her calves and they squish her arteries,B次元官网网址� Simmons said.

Yoneda was diagnosed 18 years ago and had it fixed bilaterally but it came back due to her swimming and diving. She could follow one doctorB次元官网网址檚 advice and give up ocean swimming, but that would take away her greatest passion, the open sea.

And yet, Yoneda also has another condition, compartment syndrome. In her back are six titanium plates. Despite the surgeries, chronic pain is a reality.

B次元官网网址淧ain can drag you down,B次元官网网址� Yoneda said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an easy twirl down the drain but I prefer to persevere. Sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 just finding the right doctors who will listen.B次元官网网址�

Yoneda says sheB次元官网网址檚 blessed to have met Simmons now that sheB次元官网网址檚 not competing in free dive. And like Yoneda, Simmons came to the sport while overcoming obstacles.

In fact, if it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for multiple sclerosis Simmons has said sheB次元官网网址檚 not sure sheB次元官网网址檇 be the swimmer she is today. A, sometimes for up to two months. She was also 80 pounds heavier and was bound to spend her life in a wheelchair.

Simmons started exercising knowing swimming would cool her body (overheating triggers MS symptoms), and now swims 30-plus kilometres a week with three different masters clubs in town.

The two will be joined by a flotilla of support including motorboats and kayaks, with SimmonsB次元官网网址� partner Ray supporting her, and , whoB次元官网网址檚 crossed the strait by kayak and paddle board, supporting Yoneda.

As for the Juan de Fuca, there are recent crossings. Steve Walker made the attempt in June 2016, and Karl Kingery earlier this month, though each went unsuccessful.

Washington resident and prolific open water swimmer Andrew Malinak, president of the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association, completed the crossing on his second attempt in September 2015.