1-2-3 Goes James Penrose Across Lake Willoughby
Phil White, founder of the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association, announced the successful triple crossing of Lake Willoughby in Vermont by 69-year-old James Penrose.
69-year-old James Penrose who lives in Paris flew across the Atlantic to attempt a 24.1 km swim across Lake Willoughby in Westmore, Vermont. He swam a total of 15 miles in 9 hours 30 minutes on September 1st following in the trailblazing wake of Charlotte Brynn in 2017 and Greg O’Connor in 2021 as part of his four-way crossing.
White reported, “James started at 6:50 am from North Beach and swam the first leg with a slight wind to his back, arriving at South Beach at 9:45 am for an elapsed time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. After resting a minute at South Beach, he completed the second leg at 1:08 pm, swimming into a 10 mph head wind at times in the gap. His elapsed time was 3 hours and 22 minutes. The wind pretty much died on his return, denying him the Willoughby Rush. He arrived at South Beach at 4:20 pm for an elapsed time for the third leg of 3 hours and 12 minutes.
The water temperature ranged from 68 to 70°F. Air temperature was in the mid-60s°F, but dropped in the afternoon as clouds began to block the sun. Wind was variable from 2 mph to 10 mph generally from the northwest. It was strongest during Penrose’s second leg as he faced headwinds going through the gap.”
Kayaking for Penrose was performed by Kathleene Callicott of Derby, Vermont. Rob Andersen of Newport and Phil White of Derby provided boat support. The swim was organized by Kingdom Games and ratified by the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association.
White continues, “Penrose began his documented marathon swimming career, completing the 10-mile Kingdom Swim in 2011. He went on to swim the English Channel in 2012. He completed a crossing of the Catalina Channel and swam around Manhattan Island in 2013, earning the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. He has also swum the 8 Bridges 120-mile stage race down the Hudson River in New York. Earlier this year, he swam the 15-mile Border Bumper at the Kingdom Swim and completed the Boston Light Swim. He was originally scheduled for In Search of Memphre this year. But with the border still functionally closed for swimmers, he opted for the Willoughby Triple Cross in its place.”
Copyright © 2008 – 2021 by World Open Water Swimming Association
