A crowd of supporters gathered at Ogden Point on Saturday afternoon as Susan Simmons, a Victoria ultra-marathon swimmer, prepared to begin an aching 66-kilometre long swim from Victoria to Port Angeles and back.
Simmons was calm and collected as people and media buzzed around.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 feeling nice and relaxed, and IB次元官网网址檓 really happy with how the water looks,B次元官网网址� Simmons said minutes before diving in. B次元官网网址淚 like to be more mellow than energetic, and just keep it on that really smooth vibe. IB次元官网网址檝e got to keep it going for 24 hours, so IB次元官网网址檝e got to manage that, I donB次元官网网址檛 want to get too excited.B次元官网网址�
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When asked what will keep her going for 24 hours, Simmons said she had an encouraging support group on the water with her, who she will stop and chat with every 30 minutes.
B次元官网网址淚 have somebody, Soleil, a 10 year old whoB次元官网网址檚 gonna be telling me jokes, so IB次元官网网址檓 going to think about that,B次元官网网址� Simmons said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e brought a bunch of cards that the kids at Sangster Elementary School made for me when I went out to talk to them, and theyB次元官网网址檝e given me all good wishes, so IB次元官网网址檒l be looking at those on my breaks.B次元官网网址�
Simmons has multiple sclerosis, and uses a vegan diet and cold water swims to help manage her symptoms, but she also uses the swims as a way to spread the message of resilience, strength and awareness for the disease.
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B次元官网网址淚t inspires everybody, even someone who has very little mobility now watches this and thinks, you know, there we go, B次元官网网址榖ecause I canB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� said Clare Gomez, SimmonsB次元官网网址� friend who lives with MS, referring to the slogan on her MS Athletes shirt. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 inspired me to do things I couldnB次元官网网址檛 do before, she inspires everybody.B次元官网网址�
Strangers also gathered to cheer Simmons on.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just amazing what sheB次元官网网址檚 doing, and given what her challenges are, and my nephew was just diagnosed [with MS] so thatB次元官网网址檚 part of it as well,B次元官网网址� said Sherri Heyward. B次元官网网址淭he fact that sometimes youB次元官网网址檙e down or whatever and you see someone with such hurdles to overcome, whatever is going on in your life is very minimal. B次元官网网址�
Simmons believes the swim will take 24 hours, and hopes to return to Victoria around 1:oo p.m. on Sunday, just in time for brunch at the Breakwater Cafe.
You can keep track of her live at or head to her for updates.
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