Over $160k raised for Easter Seals at the largest open water swim in Canada!
With the 2025 edition of the Bring on the Bay Open Water Charity Swim, held on Saturday, July 12th, NSC officially became home to the largest open water swim in Canada! We now proudly boast both the largest racing program in North America and the largest open water swim in Canada — a remarkable milestone.
How do we measure success?
For starters, did we mention the $160k raised this year for Easter Seals! And, with this year’s registration and fundraising, the total contributions raised by the BOTB Swim since inception is now over a million!
Notable statistics :
- 1050 swimmers registered
- 926 swimmers started out Saturday morning:
- 718 swam the 3000m and
- 204 swam the 1500m
- Only 4 swimmers retired (0.4%!)
- Gender split: 60% women / 40% men
- 43 “Angels” supported 36 swimmers
- 7 Angels swept the course/picked up a few swimmers in difficulty and stayed with them to the finish
- 218 vehicles parked “on the grass” and
- 80 vehicles parked at Andrew Haydon Park
- ZERO parking tickets issued — amazing!
Results
- Fastest male swimmer: Olivier Risk (4 time BOTB champion) – with a time of 38:16
- Fastest female swimmer: Caitlan Preston – just seconds behind at 38:32
📊 Full results are available on Sportstats.
While many accomplished swimmers took part, for most it was about the experience, the fun, and the cause.
The youngest participant was just 10 years old, and the oldest, an inspiring 83.
Special recognition for Anne Griffith, who returned again this year, towing her 4½-year-old daughter, Amelia — an Easter Seals child — across the course.
Volunteer Power
The event was a true team effort, with:
- 28 sail and powerboats anchoring along the swim course
- Over 60 volunteers patrolling in kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes
- 43 Angel swimmers providing in-water support
- And dedicated assistance from Ottawa Fire Services’ Lincoln Fields Water Rescue Unit —especially noteworthy this year, as they were called upon for the first time to bring two swimmers safely to shore
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you to all the NSC members who helped out in one way or another to make this latest swim such a notable success!
Parke Davis, on behalf of all the BOTB Swim organizers