Firecracker Mile Open Water Swim coming

SANDPOINT — Long a hotbed for swimming events, beautiful Lake Pend Oreille will play host to another when a new one-mile swim hits Garfield Bay this summer.

Local swimming enthusiast Donna Gaudet was first introduced to swimming in Garfield Bay during the old Lake to Forest Triathlon.

Since the event stopped more than a decade ago, she has wanted to bring something back to the scenic bay on Lake Pend Oreille, and thus the idea for the inaugural Garfield Bay Firecracker Mile Open Water Swim was born.

The first-ever swim will be held on Sunday, July 7, with check-in slated for 9 a.m. and the race to follow at 10 a.m. at the Garfield Bay public beach area.

“This is such a great venue, I wanted to bring something to the Bay,” said Gaudet, the race organizer who has taken part in past adventure swims on Lake Pend Oreille. “It can be just for fun or for fast times. It’s for anyone that wants to get in the water. I’d love to have at least 50 (swimmers), the more the merrier.”

The swim will be timed and there will be safety kayaks along the one-mile triangle loop that starts and ends on the beach.

The cost of the swim is $15 if registering before July 3, and $20 after that, including race day. The first 25 to register will receive a souvenir silicone race cap with the race logo. All participants must sign a waiver on race day.

Wet suits are allowed, and participants must be 13 years or older to enter. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign.

The race, which Gaudet hopes becomes an annual event, will serve as a great tuneup for the Long Bridge Swim.

Any proceeds above and beyond the race expenses will be donated to local swim teams. A registration form and more information can be found by visiting “www.firecrackermile.com.”

For questions email firecrackermile@gmail.com.