Thie Convery’s Swims From America To Canada
Last month, Thie Convery swam 18.6K across Lake Erie from New York, to Ontario in 7 hours and 20 minutes. “I wasn’t bothered by the distance. But the southwest waves, peaking at 1.5 meters, slowed my pace, disrupted my freestyle stroke and wreaked havoc on my head and stomach,” said Thie to the Dundas Star News. “I didn’t know you could get seasick in the water. But I kept stroking and kicking, despite the nausea and headache.”
“For me, just being able to look into the eyes of a friend who has the same goal as I do — to eradicate the polio virus from the face of the Earth – that’s what kept me going,” said Thie who was referring to Coach Karin Hornblower and fellow swimmer Marilyn Korzekwa alongside in an inflatable Zodiac.
As a follow-up this week, Thie attempted a 52K crossing of Lake Ontario, sanctioned by Solo Swims of Ontario, but turbulent water conditions defeated her Swim To End Polio where she had arranged for all monies being matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her team reported from the turbulent lake, “Due to the mounting waves the swim had to be ended. The 2-meter high waves made it impossible to control the boats, and of course impossible for Thie. She was taken aboard the larger boat in excellent condition, and in good spirits. We are all dissappointed, but it was a great effort on everyone’s part.”
It most certainly was.
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones
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.
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