Swim for a cause
TESS FREEMAN/Press File Danielle Parks of Coeur d’Alene swims toward the finish line of the Coeur d’Alene Crossing in this 2014 file photo. The 2.4-mile swim starts at Arrow Point and finishes at the Hagadone Event Center, while those swimming the 1.2-mile half Crossing will jump into the water from a boat and swim the shorter distance to the finish. Early-bird signups end Monday but registration will be open until Aug. 10. The Crossing takes place early the morning of Aug. 13.
COEUR d’ALENE — Coeur d'Alene Crossing organizers are looking forward to another year of giving participants a unique swimming experience.
"We like to think it's the best open-water swim in the Pacific Northwest," Coeur d'Alene Crossing co-founder Steve Rozier said Tuesday. "Having the opportunity to take a beautiful cruise boat ride across the lake, start at a sandy beach, swim across Lake Coeur d'Alene and end at a beautiful golf course — there's nothing like that in the Northwest."
"It's pretty surreal with the sun coming up and the mountains right there," co-founder Craig Brosenne said. "I've done it twice, and I've done the half."
For those seeking a refreshing early morning summer swim, the sixth annual Coeur d'Alene Crossing on Aug. 13 still has plenty of room.
The swim had just more than 300 participants last year.
"We're hoping to exceed that this year," Rozier said. "We would take as many as signed up. There's no such thing as being full."
The Coeur d'Alene Crossing provides the once-a-year chance for swimmers to have a lane of the lake all to themselves. Buoys and boats are arranged to create a channel for three groups of swimmers — fast, sport and fun.
This is the second year the race has offered a half option, so swimmers can do the full 2.4 miles or jump off a boat at the halfway point and swim from there.
"We hope they use that as a stepping block to move the full race next year," Rozier said.
The Crossing is timed and for all ages. The youngest swimmer to complete the full swim was 9 years old with a time of 1:05.31, the oldest swimmer was 84 with a time of 1:26.17 and the all-time record of 44:55 was set by a 17-year-old in 2013.
While refreshing and fun, the Crossing is also competitive and charitable.
It is a Coeur d'Alene Iron Series event for athletes who choose to split triathlon efforts into separate races: the Crossing, the Coeur d'Alene Marathon and Coeur d'Fondo. The first 300 finishers will get medals and the top male and female will receive awards.
And all of the proceeds from the Crossing benefit the Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team, Union Gospel Mission and the North Idaho College Booster Club. To date, the Crossing has brought in $100,000 for these causes.
"All of that goes to these local nonprofits," Brosenne said. "We just have such a great event."
Sign up today: Early bird registration for the Coeur d’Alene Crossing is $55 for the full race or $45 for the half through Monday. After that, prices increase to $65 (full) and $55 (half). Race T-shirts will be given to those who register before Aug. 11. Registration packet pick-up will be Aug. 12 in The Coeur d’Alene Resort Convention Bays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No same-day packet pick up. Register at www.cdacrossing.com.