-4.9 C
Niagara Falls
Friday, February 7, 2025
Strong currents end swimmer’s bid for record, but he’ll try again
Hamilton's Greg Maitinsky embarks on his attempt to swim Lake Ontario on Saturday. Strong currents forced him to stop 10 kilometres into his swim. PAIGE SEBURN

A sunny Saturday with negligible winds and Lake Ontario water temperatures warming up seemed like a perfect day for Hamilton’s Greg Maitinsky to attempt a record-setting solo swim.

With his support team, Maitinsky arrived at Queen’s Royal Beach in Niagara-on-the-Lake around noon.

He was covered head-to-toe with sunscreen and ready to take on the 52-kilometre swim.

Maitinsky was looking to set a record for the fastest solo swim from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto.

The record is held by John Scott, who did it in 14 hours and 33 minutes in 1994.

Maitinsky conquered the lake in 2022 in 16 hours and 16 minutes, but, on his latest attempt, the mighty lake won.

After three hours and making his way 10 kilometres across the Great Lake, he was forced to stop due to strong, dangerous currents.

The currents were completely against him, Maitinsky told The Lake Report. “It was just not happening.”

He said he was willing to continue the swim, despite the currents, but was told it would take him around 22 hours — a far cry from the 14 he had in mind.

A swim cut short is not enough to discourage Maitinsky from trying again, who plans to go for the record at a later date, but starting from the other side.

“We’re going to go from Marilyn Bell Park to Port Dalhousie,” he said.

After going back to the drawing board, Maitinksy said it is clear that Scott, the current record holder, was a “way more accomplished swimmer” and that his own 16-hour swim in 2022 was extremely lucky.

“They must have been very lucky currents because I should not have been able to get so close to (Scott’s time),” he said.

He hasn’t set a date for his next swim, but Maitinksy said he is more focused on setting a personal goal than record-breaking.

“I’m going to try that and see if it’s a record — again I’m not set on the record. I had that as a personal goal,” Maitinsky said.

He said he is excited that several other swimmers plan to attempt solo swims this summer and wants to remind everyone that Lake Ontario is safe for swimming.

Jessi Harewicz completed the first crossing of the season on July 8.

“We’re thankful for the lake. We have to maintain the lake and keep it clean,” Maitinsky said.

“It’s swimmable and really nice in a lot of spots.”

Last Saturday, Lisa Burns from Chautauqua, N.Y., was among the numerous onlookers who happened to be on the beach when Maitinksy departed and she asked around, puzzled about what he was doing.

“I can’t believe he’s swimming to Toronto. And we all got to witness him leave,” she said.

 

Subscribe to our mailing list