Summer Reflections: Our Team's Connection to Water

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of summer. Summer is our busy season, attending events, hosting workshops, and meeting our supporters and volunteers along the water's edge, but despite our busy calendars, our staff made time to enjoy the fruits of our labour this summer by connecting with water.

Abbey R:

This summer, I connected with Buck Lake in Frontenac County. I spent the weekend on the lake with my friend at their cottage. We swam, jumped off the dock, and read by the lake all day. In the evening, we listened to the eerie sound of the Loons while the glow of the full moon reflected off the lake. It was a great weekend connecting with a good friend and the lake.

Alex:

This summer I connected with the North Saskatchewan River in the heart of Edmonton. We travelled northwards from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, through Edmonton’s downtown to our landing spot at Dawson Park. It was very eye-opening to see how many different ways Edmontonians interact with the river, including wading, boating, kayaking and beachcombing. Not only that, but it was a great reminder of how the lushness of the River Valley in many areas can make you forget you’re in the city completely.

Danica:

I've found myself at Sunset Beach in St. Catharines a lot this summer. On the shores of Lake Ontario, it's been my favourite destination whether it be a pit stop during a run, a place to escape the summer heat, or an evening getaway to watch the sun go down. This beach has been a constant for me and I always look forward to my next visit.

Evie:

This summer I connected with səl̓ilw̓ət or Indian Arm in British Columbia. I went for a paddle with friends and family up the inlet on a beautiful sunny day, stopping at a little island on the way. It feels amazing to have such a peaceful place and way to connect to the water so close to the city!

Giulia:

This summer I connected with Havelock Lake in the Muskoka area. I camped there and stayed up at the cottage with my family. We enjoyed many family dinners overlooking the lake. We would swim to the dock every morning, canoe around the lake and stargaze at night. This lake allowed me to form a deeper connection with nature and to further my understanding of Onehealth.

Grace:

This summer I connected with the St. Lawrence river in both Ontario and Quebec! I spent my weekends on Wolfe Island ON swimming along the shore. Recently, I spent a week in Tadoussac QU hiking along the fjords of the river enjoying the whales in their natural habitat. It always amazes me how one river can support such vastly different populations of people and animals.

Heather:

This summer I connected with water at Spruce Beach, on Elliot Lake in the town of Elliot Lake Ontario. As a Blue Flag beach, this beach meets stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria to better allow everyone in the area to connect with water. The first step in connecting with water is being able to reach the water in a safe and accessible way, and beaches such as Spruce Beach make this a reality.

Henry:

This summer, I connected with Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, The St. Lawrence, and the Pacific Ocean. I was able to swim, canoe, kayak, snorkel, camp and fish in some of Canada’s most beautiful waters. Thanks to Swim Drink FIsh, I’ve been reminded of the importance of connecting with water as the first step in persevering our precious and unique resource: water.

Jen:

I’ve grown up swimming, paddling and sailing all over Ontario, even those leech-filled waters north of places like Timmins and Cochrane (no offence to leeches but they are a different thing than those southern Ontario bloodsuckers). At the beginning of the pandemic, my family and I moved back to Kingston, right where Lake Ontario becomes the St. Lawrence River. The river, in summer, quietly and powerfully moves past our cities and homes, as it has for millions of years. You can feel history and time flow past you; to sit on its shores every morning is a privilege.

Maddy:

This summer, I connected with Christina Lake in British Columbia. I recently went for a hike with some friends to this magical lake and I couldn’t believe how special it was. This lake is fed by underground hot springs, making it super warm- even on a cold spring day. Some people even say it's the warmest lake in Canada.

Megan:

This summer, I connected with Lake Ontario. I recently moved to the area where Kew Balmy Beach is and have been spending most days after work going for a swim or taking my dog to the dog park so he can enjoy the water as well! It's been so great living close to the water's edge.

Taylor:

This summer I was able to connect with Desert Lake in South Frontenac in Ontario. I spent that weekend with my closest friends at a cottage hanging out together and spending time in nature. I spent most of the weekend paddle boarding, swimming, looking for fish, and reading out on the dock. It was a great opportunity for me to connect and appreciate the water!

We would love to know how you connected with water this summer – did you dip into the ocean? Spend a week at the cottage? Portage around a Provincial or National park? Tell us all about it by submitting a Watermark.

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