Nicole Robinson was followed by her husband Ragnar, but was never allowed to touch the canoe. (submitted photo/Nichole Robinson)

By Derek Cornet

accomplishment

Robinson completes 36-km swim between Missinipe and Stanley Mission

Aug 22, 2023 | 4:12 PM

Nicole Robinson is calling a 36-kilometer swim between Missinipe and Stanley Mission one of the best days of her life.

Robinson left the beach at Missinipe on Monday at 5:05 a.m. and arrived in Stanley Mission just after 4 p.m. for a total swim time of 11 hours and 37 minutes. She swam the distance non-stop, never leaving the water and only pausing momentarily every 30 minutes for food or drink. Her husband, Ragnar Robinson, travelled next to her in a canoe the entire way.

“This was the longest individual swim I have ever attempted,” Robinson explained.

“I’ve done a couple of short swims in Otter Lake, but nothing quite like that. My longest training swim leading up to this was 15 kilometers in Lac La Ronge. I did another charity swim with some ladies last year here in Saskatchewan, but it was more of a relay style where we all took turns.”

Robinson was originally meant to participate in a 36-km swim at Christina Lake in British Columbia’s Gladstone Provincial Park on Aug. 19. She and her husband travelled to the Big Effort Swim event, only for it to be cancelled the morning of due to poor air quality because of wildfire smoke.

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Having already raised $2,000 for charity and after training for the swim all summer, Robinson decided to return to northern Saskatchewan and swim between Missinipe and Stanley Mission. One major concern with the altered swim, however, was the fact the water in Otter Lake and the Churchill River is 8 C colder than what it would have been in B.C. To counter this, Robison wore a wetsuit and consumed warm liquids along the way.

Nichole Robinson reached Stanley Mission just after 4 p.m. on Monday. (submitted photo/Nichole Robinson)

“It was chilly, but it was never unbearable,” she said. “It was just the coolest experience. I had never before been to Twin Falls, so that was the first way I have ever seen that and it was just beautiful.”

Robinson swam competitively on the University of Alberta swim team in Edmonton before moving to La Ronge. She noted the environment was much more controlled and competitive, adding she has since fallen in love swimming in the open water. Robinson mentioned those years of swimming competitively set her up for being able to tackle such long-distance swims.

“I think I am the most focused I have ever been is when I am in the water. I find it really relaxing and peaceful,” she said.

“I don’t know why it makes me so happy, but I just love it. I think part of it is there is just such a sense of freedom. You’re just totally in the moment when you are in the water. You’re not distracted by anything else. It is completely quiet and whether you are doing a swim on your own, you’re just relying on yourself to be aware of your surroundings.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com