Issie Swim 4 Alzheimers

Fundraising through ultra distance solo open water swims for critical research in Alzheimer's disease

NEXT SWIM - Kelowna to Penticton in Lake Okanagan

POSTPONED TO LATE JULY 2027

In loving memory of Joan Wickett

CLICK HERE TO DONATE directly to the Alzheimer Society of Canada

UPDATE- SWIM POSTPONED

For the safety of everyone involved in this swim and to prioritize the Bald Lake fire evacuees, we have made the decision to postpone the swim until late July 2027. The fundraiser will remain open throughout the year. Thank you so much to all the donors, your support and generosity has been incredible! I will continue to train and push my limits this year, and will be more ready than ever for next summer!

My swim is to be between Kelowna and Penticton BC, a 55km stretch of water on Lake Okanagan. A swim of 55km is something hard to accomplish under perfect conditions. On August 7, 2026 the Bald Range wildfire ignited just west of the municipality of Summerland and spread in all directions within hours. The fire reached the Okanagan Lake shores that night. The fire claimed the life of one person and countless livestock, and pets which could not be evacuated in time. Since August 7 the lake between Kelowna and Penticton had been ecologically damaged by ash, soot, coal and smoke. The road between Kelowna and Penticton was closed to all traffic until recently and is still under surveillance and there is no stopping as the fire is still active and still out of control.

A 55km swim is a dangerous event even under perfect conditions. We needed boats, and access to the highway in the event of a medical emergency. Firefighters and water-bombers still use the lake for water. We waited as long as possible before making the decision that it was just too dangerous for me and my support crew to go ahead with the swim. We are disappointed more than anyone about this.

Next summer, I will be attempting to start the swim in late July, to try and avoid any risk of fires.

Boat Sponsorships

With a 55km swim spanning almost a full 24 hours saftey is a concern. A huge thank your to Penticton Boat Rentals and SunWave Boat Rentals for their sponsorship with the provision of a safety and support boat. If you are visiting Penticton or Kelowna this summer or a local, please support them for all your water sports needs. Tell Timi in Penticton and Andre in Kelowna that Issie sent you there to rent. Click on the image below to be re-directed to their website.

Click here for UPDATES on donations

My story

Hi I’m Issie, I’m a 20 year-old swimmer studying astrophysics at the University of Waterloo while swimming on the varsity swim team. Since I was little, I've absolutely loved swimming, especially open-water swimming. I grew up all over the world, but I always came back to paradise in Penticton in the summer to swim in the beautiful lakes and spend time with my grandparents. I was always inspired my my grandpa, who completed two Ironmans, to push myself to do hard things.

When my grandma, Joan Wickett, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, I knew that I wanted to use my passion for swimming to bring awareness and fundraise for this disease that affects so many people. She sadly passed away in 2022, so I created Issieswim4alzheimers to fundraise for Alzheimers disease through swimming. My goal is to attempt an ultra distance solo open-water swim, every few years, in memory of my grandma.

I have currently raised just under $16 000 in total, through two open water swims, and I hoping to raise more. I am working directly with the Alzheimers Society of Canada, where we have set up a fundraiser that lets you donate directly to research needs. This summer I will be attempting to swim from Kelowna to Penticton in Lake Okanagan ( approximately 55km).

To read more about this summers specific swim, click here

Kelowna to Penticton Swim August 2026

Funds raised will go to Alzheimers' research. To donate directly to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, click here

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Previous Open Water Swims

2016 TriPower Triathlon Club Open water swim

2nd place

1600m in 30min:36sec

2017 Rattlesnake Island Across the Lake Swim

2nd place (F10-19)

3.1km in 1hr:10min:6sec

2018 Rattlesnake Island Across the Lake Swim

3rd place(F10-19)

7km in 2hr:15min:25sec

2019 Skaha Lake Ultra Swim

2nd place (F14-19)

11.8km in 3hr:31min:28sec

(youngest person to attempt and finish swim)

2020 Lac Saint Jean 24km - on own during COVID

7hrs continuous swimming

2022 Skaha Lake Ultra Swim

3rd place (F14-19)

11.8km in 3hr:6min

2022 BC Open Water Provincials

3rd Place (F 15&over)

5km in 1:06:26.50

2022 Peachland to Penticton Swim

11h 55 min

2023 BC Open Water Provincials

5th place (F 15&over)

5km in 1:04:09.88

2024 Skaha Lake Ultra Swim

1st place (F10-19)

11.8km in 3hr:6min:10sec

Media

Une jeune de 14 ans a nagé en solo entre Péribonka et Saint-Henri-de-Taillon

To the left: With my sister, Sara , and grandma, Joan Wickett

To the right: With my incredible support team getting set for the Skaha Lake Ultra Swim in 2019 (We were able to raise $4000 for the Alzheimer Society of Canada)