The Swim on Squam Lake is celebrating its 10th Anniversary

MOULTONBOROUGH — The Swim across Squam Lake to benefit Squam's loon population is celebrating its 10th anniversary. On Aug. 11, a team of eight swimmers will swim the seven-mile length of Squam Lake, from the Squam Channel in Holderness to the Sandwich Town Beach, to raise funds for loon preservation. The 2016 swim team, led by Wendy Van de Poll, includes Rose de Mars, Jennifer Marts, Lisa Davy, John Eisner, Carol Zink, Richard Chou, and Rick Van de Poll. Rockywold-Deephaven Camps is donating its boat to accompany the swimmers across the lake, and spotters Van Adriance, Jeff Marts, and Ralph Kirshner, captaining the boat, will keep a close eye on the swimmers to ensure a safe trip across the lake.

To celebrate The Swim's 10th anniversary, the Loon Preservation Committee will also be offering a special loon cruise on Squam Lake the morning of the swim. The cruise boat will leave from Walter's Basin at 10:45 a.m. for a guided tour with the Loon Preservation Committee's Squam Lake Biologist Tiffany Grade and then stop at the Sandwich Town Beach in time to welcome the swimmers at the end of their swim and join them for a picnic lunch. Tickets for the 10th Anniversary Swim Cruise are $25 and reservations can be made by calling the Loon Preservation Committee at 476-5666.

The 10th Anniversary Swim is a fundraiser to benefit the Loon Preservation Commitee's Squam Lake Loon Initative, an ongoing effort to increase monitoring, research, management and outreach to change the fortunes of Squam's loons. Squam Lake saw a dramatic decline in its number of loon pairs between 2005-2007; and, since that time, Squam's loons have continued to experience low breeding success.

Since 2005, "The Swim" has become a much anticipated yearly event in the Lakes Region and has raised over $150,000 to support LPC's work to benefit Squam Lake loons and to recover a healthy population of loons on the lake. "The Swim provides the means to secure the healthy future of our loons. Without our loons we lose part of our human connection to nature," said The Swim founder Wendy Van de Poll. This year, funds raised through The swim will allow LPC to extend its field season on the lake; test eggs from failed nests for contaminants; continue banding and monitoring the health of Squam's loons; expand its research into the causes of declines; educate lake users to encourage a culture of respect and appreciation for loons; and continue its intensive management to help loons cope with their growing challenges. For more information on the Squam Lake Loon Initiative or to make a donation, please visit www.loon.org or call the Loon Preservation Committee at 476-5666.

The swimmers have been training throughout the summer for this event, and the public is invited to the Sandwich Town Beach at 12 p.m. to celebrate with them as they complete their journey. The Loon Preservation Committee thanks local businesses including Squam Marketplace, EM Heaths Supermarket, and the Corner House Inn for donating food for the celebration and extends special thanks to the 2016 Swim Sponsors: Breakaway Athletic Coaching, MM Ballroom, and Grace Wellness Center.

The triumphant end to the 2015sSwim. The 2015 team included, left to right: Wendy Van de Poll, Lisa Davy, John Eisner, Jen Marts, Mark Longley, Rick Van de Poll, and Carol Zink. Spotters Katie Hollier and Jeff Marts kayaked the entire way to provide extra support for the swimmers. (Courtesy photo)