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A Swim for Change
A Swim for Change
Two young Episcopalians to participate in English Channel swim to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities
by Susan Barksdale
With the eventual arrival of summer, many of us may plan for some pleasant days of fun at the lake or the pool. But for two Minneapolis teen-aged sisters, that summer swim will be for a special cause — and will present a special challenge as well.
Sif Nave, 16, and Keelin Nave, 14, are members of St. Luke’s, Minneapolis, and are part of a six-member youth team from the Minneapolis YWCA that is preparing for one of the greatest tests of endurance in open-water swimming — a relay swim of the English Channel.
Keelin Nave (14) and Sif Nave (16), members of St. Luke’s Church, Minneapolis, are part of an eight-member youth team from Minneapolis that will take part in a relay swim of the English Channel in July. Photo: Susan Barksdale
The YWCA is sending three teams overseas in July 2007 to swim the Channel. In addition to the swimmers from the “Otters” youth swim team noted above, there will be a relay of adult Masters swimmers. In addition, YWCA Head Coach Dave Cameron will be attempting a rare double-crossing of the Channel. The Otters Relay Team will be the first youth team from Minnesota to swim the English Channel, the Masters Relay Team will be the first all-Minnesotan team to make the crossing.
Striving to eliminate disparities
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, many of us take for granted that we are one of the healthiest states in the country and must be one of the best states for access to swim instruction. In fact, communities of color in Minnesota experience some of the greatest racial and ethnic health disparities in the country, and some of the highest drowning rates.
Whether it is due to access to aquatics facilities or to the availability of swimming lessons for youth and adults, there are huge disparities in swimming based on race and culture. In “Swim for Change,” swimmers will cross the English Channel to bring attention to health disparities and access to swimming in communities of color in Minnesota. “Every penny raised,” says Sif Nave of the relay swim, “goes to swimming scholarships.”
A test of endurance
The narrowest distance across the English Channel is about 22 miles, but with the currents and tides, a swimmer usually has to swim about 25-30 miles across. Winds and tides are also factors in a crossing. The water temperature is 60-63 degrees. Creatures in the Channel include a northern variety of jellyfish that can inflict painful stings.
Sif and Keelin have been swimming four times a week for an hour and half at a time, and have also done weight work at their local Y. At least once, the pool’s temperature was lowered to 64 degrees to help duplicate the Channel conditions. Soon they will begin open-air practice.
In a relay swim, each team member swims for one hour at a time. A swimming order is set, and if one swimmer misses his or her turn, the swim is called off.
The adult and youth teams, along with Coach Dave Cameron, will travel to England in July, where they will have some practice in the Channel before the actual swim. That swim will happen during the week of July 23. The exact starting day will be determined by weather conditions.
Helping the cause
The Otters youth relay team hopes to raise $20,000 with their Channel swim. The adult Masters team and Coach Cameron, with his double swim, each have similar fund-raising goals. All hope that supporters and friends will help them reach these goals before July.
Sif and Keelin Nave agree that this effort helps to support Millennium Development Goal #4 by reducing child mortality, no matter what the age. Both are dedicated to the cause and to the challenge.
Sif talks about the great deal of outreach going on at St. Luke’s, and feels that “Swim for Change” can be seen as an outgrowth of that work. “Everyone can share” in helping this cause, Keelin adds. “One reason to tell the whole diocese about this endeavor,” says Sif, “is that this is a huge opportunity.”
Please join in wishing these remarkable young women the best of luck in their efforts; and, if you wish, add to their support and to the support of all Minnesota swimmers with a donation to “Swim for Change.”
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