Swimmers to compete in 'The Crossing' Sunday

| August 11, 2021 1:00 AM

More than 250 swimmers are expected for the annual Coeur d’Alene Crossing on Sunday.

The 2.4-mile open water swim will start at 8 a.m. at Discovery Marine at Gozzer Ranch Lake Club and finish at the Hagadone Event Center. The 1.2-mile swim will start at 8:30 a.m. in the middle of Lake Coeur d’Alene with the same finish line as the longer race.

The Crossing, first held in 2012, has raised an estimated $60,000 for local nonprofits like Coeur d’Alene Area Swim Team and the Union Gospel Mission, with a goal of another $20,000 this year.

It was canceled last year due to the coronavirus.

Swimmers going 2.4 miles will be transported to Discovery Marina on a cruise boat. Swimmers doing the 1.2 mile swim will be transported to the middle of the lake. The boats will leave the Hagadone Event Center at 7 a.m.

Participants in the 2.4-mile swim must be at least halfway before the official clock is at 1 hour and 10 minutes. Any swimmers failing to be halfway over the allotted time will be stopped and listed as DNF.

Volunteers on kayaks and boats will provide support along the course. Paramedics and law enforcement will be present. The weather forecast is for sunny, hazy skies with temperatures in the 90s, so about 70 on race day morning. Water temperature in Lake Coeur d’Alene is expected to be appx 72 F. Wetsuits are allowed but not mandatory.