Continuing the Largest Open Water Swim in Eastern Canada
With this year’s Bring on the Bay Open Water Charity Swim, held on Saturday, July 11, the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC) proudly hosted another of Eastern Canada’s largest open water swims.
More than $150,000 was raised for Easter Seals Ontario, with additional donations still being counted. This year’s fundraising brings the event’s cumulative contribution to approximately $1.25 million for Easter Seals Ontario since Bring on the Bay began.
Another Outstanding Year by the Numbers
In addition to funds raised this year:
- 1,103 registered swimmers
- 307 swimmers registered for the 1,500 m (1.5 km) swim and 796 for the 3,000 m (3 km)swim
- 921 swimmers started on race day
- Only one swimmer was unable to complete the course—just 0.1% of participants
- More than 40 Angel Swimmers assisted participants with disabilities, including one blind swimmer
- Six safety boats patrolled the course ready to assist swimmers whenever needed
- Approximately 350 vehicles were accommodated, with more than 200 parked on the NSC grounds, over 80 at Andrew Haydon Park, and additional parking at the Cineplex Theatres complex and Britannia Park.
- And thanks to the excellent coordination of the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club and our dedicated parking volunteers, there were zero parking tickets (ZERO/NADA/NO PARKING TICKETS!).
Perhaps the clearest sign of the event’s growth is that this year there were more volunteers directing parking than there were swimmers in the very first Bring on the Bay Swim. It is a remarkable reflection of how the event—and the community behind it—has grown.
Safety Through Teamwork
The safety of every swimmer depends on an extraordinary team of volunteers working together on and off the water.
- 31 sailboats and powerboats stationed along the course
- More than 65 kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders
- Six safety boats, and
- Our dedicated Angel Swimmers, who provided individual support to participants who needed assistance.
Their professionalism, vigilance, and encouragement allowed hundreds of swimmers to enjoy the event with confidence.
Race Results
Congratulations to Baya Weiss Reid, the overall fastest swimmer, who completed the course in 40:59, finishing just seconds ahead of the fastest male swimmer, Ronan Tunney.
While there were many outstanding performances, Bring on the Bay is about much more than finishing times. Swimmers ranged in age from 8 to 84 years old, demonstrating that open water swimming truly is a sport for all ages. Among this year’s participants were 250 swimmers aged 60 and over and 58 swimmers under the age of 15.
And a special congratulations to Anne Griffith, who once again completed the swim while towing her daughter Amelia, an Easter Seals child. Anne’s individual fundraising total exceeded $12,000, making an already inspiring swim even more meaningful.
Complete race results are available on Sportstats.
Thank You!
Bring on the Bay is only possible because of the hundreds of people who generously give their time, energy, and expertise each year.
To our volunteers on land and on the water, sponsors, safety crews, Angel Swimmers, the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club, NSC members, Easter Seals staff, and every swimmer who took part—thank you!
We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year as Bring on the Bay continues its tradition of community, challenge, and giving back.
Parke Davis & Richard Pessah
On behalf of the Bring on the Bay Organizing Committee