Every day, sometimes twice a day, Jack Meredith jumps into the Gorge Waterway for a swim.
The retired 67-year-old Vic West resident typically starts from the dock in Banfield Park and spends at least a half hour enjoying the warm water. It’s the perfect way to cool down after a run in the hot summer sun.
“One of the things I like best about it is just being able to do it,” said Meredith, adding the dock has been packed with swimmers this summer looking for an escape from the heat.
“Most cities are just big cities and we’re so blessed to have this waterway right in the heart of our city. I can call my brother in Ottawa and say, are you swimming in the Rideau Canal?”
Meredith has been swimming in the Gorge for the last 10 years and continually spreads the word that the water is the cleanest and warmest it’s ever been.
In its prime from the 1890s to the 1930s, the Gorge Waterway was the place for competitive swimming for national titles. Swimmers of all ages enjoyed the annual swimming galas and six swimming clubs were active in the Gorge.
When the Crystal Pool opened in 1926, however, the Gorge swimming galas ceased to be organized and the Gorge was no longer regarded as Victoria’s swimming resort. Subsequent residential and industrial development along the Gorge deteriorated the quality of the water, causing the few swimmers that were left to head elsewhere.
In 2000, hundreds of volunteers banded together to clean up the waterway, removing garbage and debris from the shoreline. According to the Gorge Swim Fest website, the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) regularly test the water and has never had to issue a health advisory since the annual clean ups began.
Even with the annual clean up, volunteers still pull garbage from the water throughout the year. Low tides last month revealed a larger banner from a local music store.
Although many residents have returned to enjoy one of the best swimming holes in the region, Meredith admits the stigma that it’s not clean is hard to shake.
“Most people think it’s cold and dirty and it’s just the opposite. I’ve swam in the ocean before and it’s a real challenge, but in the Gorge it’s almost bath water temperature some days,” said Meredith, noting one club swims monthly in the Gorge year round.
“It’s really great to see people really getting into swimming…we feel if people are swimming in the water they are going to hold it to a higher standard than if they are just paddling or rowing on it.”
Five years ago, the Gorge Swim Fest was revived, attracting approximately 650 people. Meredith, the co-chair of the swim fest, expects between 500 to 600 people will take part in this year’s swim which takes place on Aug. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. in Banfield Park.
