With the sparkling blue water no warmer than 55ºF (12ºC) even in the heat of summer, massive kelp beds, orca whales, and plenty of islands to swim to and around, the idyllic San Juan Islands seem like the perfect playground for hardy ocean-faring athletes like Ned Denison and his friends.
Orcas and seals, deer and foxes dot in and around the 172 islands of the archipelago. Look down, look across, look across the horizon and scenic beauty can overwhelm an open water swimmer.
San Juan Islands, located between the American state of Washington and Vancouver in Canada’s British Columbia is a hardy ocean swimmer’s retreat. It is a marine wonderland and a great place to explore and enjoy.
Photo shows Pam Lazzarotto about to jump in the ocean from a local escort boat.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.