Paul Bucci, special to Black Press Media

When ultra-marathon swimmer Susan Simmons steps into the cold Pacific ocean on Saturday for her epic attempt to swim from Victoria to Port Angeles and back, hundreds of people will be following her from first splash and every stroke of the way, willing her to be successful.

Among them will be two of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 swimming giants B次元官网网址� Marilyn Bell, who famously was the first to swim across Lake Ontario and also swam the English Channel and the Strait of Juan de Fuca; and Vicki Keith, who holds 16 world records, and is considered to be the most successful marathon swimmer in the history of the sport.

What Simmons is attempting is monumental B次元官网网址� swimming twice across the strait has never been done. The level of physicality and mental toughness needed to complete such a feat is almost beyond comprehension.

The fact that Simmons is attempting this while dealing with multiple sclerosis makes the challenge even more remarkable.

Keith, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 most honoured open-water swimmer, swam the strait using the butterfly stroke in 1989. The numbing cold of the Pacific ocean hit her hard, causing her to repeatedly pass out near the end of the swim.

B次元官网网址淵ou can actually see me fall unconscious as my head enters the water after a breath. Then I shake my head, take two more strokes and a breath, and go unconscious again,B次元官网网址� Keith says, referring to video of her taken as she approached Victoria.

B次元官网网址淥ne crossing is significant,B次元官网网址� Keith says. B次元官网网址淎 double crossing. No one has even tried that before.B次元官网网址�

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Marilyn Bell, now 80, also knows the challenge Simmons is taking on. Bell was the first person to swim Lake Ontario and later swam the English Channel and has also swam the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In fact, Simmons managed to swim across the strait last year breaking BellB次元官网网址檚 record crossing, set more than 60 years ago.

B次元官网网址淭he biggest thrill for me, aside from the fact that she made it and swam the traditional way all the way to Victoria, was that she broke my record, standing since 1956,B次元官网网址� Bell says.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 such an amazing courageous woman, the fact that she was able to take that devastating diagnosis of MS and turn it around and go on living, and not just getting by, and challenging herself.

B次元官网网址淏ut it all goes back to that marathon heart B次元官网网址� she doesnB次元官网网址檛 know how to give up.B次元官网网址�

Simmons acknowledged that in a past interview, saying that beyond all of the physical training, the other thing she does, considering her words carefully, is to work on her mental toughness. B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important to build your, um, willpower muscle,B次元官网网址� she said.

Beyond the physical and mental challenge, what Simmons will attempt on Saturday is meant to be an example of what people can do when facing physical hurdles like multiple sclerosis.

B次元官网网址楬er personal story is so much more than just the swim,B次元官网网址� Bell says. B次元官网网址淭he way she is able to motivate other swimmers and other young men and women, itB次元官网网址檚 just her ability to put herself out there and be a positive role model.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just amazing, and sheB次元官网网址檚 an awesome, awesome human being.B次元官网网址�

Simmons is expected to start her swim at 1 p.m. on Saturday, depending on wind and sea conditions.

Her team of supporters will document her swim from first splash until the end.

And, as Bell and Keith say, supporters and swimmers from around the world will be glued to their devices, looking for updates, and sending their best wishes her way.

B次元官网网址淧eople all around the world are supporting her,B次元官网网址� Bell says. B次元官网网址淲e are willing her, Number 1, to be safe, and hopefully she will be successful, as long as the Juan de Fuca is cooperative.

B次元官网网址淲ith that body of water, you never know.B次元官网网址�

Susan Simmons is expected to start her swim at 1 p.m. today in Victoria.

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