Make Waves for Winni: Swimathon aims to protect Big Lake

GILFORD — The latest iteration of a swimathon aimed at raising money to protect Lake Winnipesaukee is set for Tuesday, Aug. 27, when swimmers will complete a 5-mile trek around Governor’s Island.

Make Waves for Winni, a fundraising swimming relay, will support the operations of the Lake Winnipesaukee Association, which recently received a grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to complete water quality testing throughout the big lake.

The timing of the fundraiser is impeccable — earlier this summer, conservationists observed a startling trend in the development of cyanobacteria in waters of Winnipesaukee. In an event LWA Conservation Manager Bree Rossiter and President Patricia Tarpey each called “unprecedented,” blooms were recorded all over the lake in June.

“We’re seeing a decline in water quality in the lake,” Tarpey said Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve been monitoring for over 40 years — nutrient levels are increasing, we had numerous blooms at the end of June in every area of the lake. We’ve never had that happen before — that was unprecedented.”

In three previous years of the swimathon, fundraising brought in almost $5,000. This year, the goal is to raise $10,000. Over $6,000 was raised by Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re really happy about that,” Tarpey.

One of the organizers behind the event is Wolfeboro resident Alexis Wallace, 72, who grew up on the lake and hopes to assist conservationists in protecting it while raising public awareness.

“My family has been on the lake for so long, I’ve noticed the degradation of the quality of the water,” Wallace said Friday morning.

Wallace recounted her experience as a young girl, when she could clearly view the bottom of the lake from docks at the shore.

“It was crystal-clear when I was young,” she said.

Now, Wallace swims for exercise and to challenge herself year-round, increasing her distances when she can. She said the swimathon presents a perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting Winnipesaukee.

“Why not raise some awareness?” she asked. “What could bring some attention to this wonderful organization?”

She started her swims five years ago, each year changing the location of the event and increasing the total distance covered by participants. There are already 10 individuals on board for participating in the relay this time around.

Last year, Wallace wasn’t sure she’d be able to make the swim when she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. But through the support of Gilford resident Deb Macone, among others, a relay team completed a 4-mile swim along Moultonborough’s Long Island.

Wallace will primarily complete her leg of the relay this year utilizing the front crawl, switching to elementary backstroke when she needs a break, allowing her to continue making forward progress.

“I think I’m good for 1 to 2 miles,” she said.

Wallace found her love of swimming and the lake as a child, when she and her family members spent countless hours in the water. She started water skiing at just 5 years old as the youngest of three siblings.

“We just always swam,” she said. “It was like our job.”

And maintaining an active lifestyle is helping her with the symptoms of her disease. She said any exercise is likely good for her as long as it doesn’t involve overexertion.

“I think I’m making forward momentum,” she said.

On Aug. 27, those participating in the relay event will start their journey around Governor’s Island at 7 a.m. at the clubhouse in order to get in the water before the wind picks up. Two swimmers will be in the water at a time. A pilot boat and spotter will maintain contact with the swimmers as they circumnavigate the island. An event permit with the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol was in the pipeline Friday morning.

This feat means a lot to Wallace, who said she hopes to influence other members of the community to do what they can to protect Winnipesaukee.

“I want to leave it well for my children and grandchildren,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in pushing myself.”

Wallace cites serious concern regarding the effects of large wake from boats, which has been subject to debate in the state Legislature. She noted one factor not often considered is the high or low water mark on the lake, which can be particularly important in regards to erosion.

In April, after snowfall, high waters crash onto the shore and wash hazardous materials, such as lawn fertilizer, back into the lake, she said. Harbors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of large wake because there’s no room for waves to dissipate before rolling onto the shoreline.

She recounted a memory of her granddaughter at 4 years old picking blueberries on the shoreline. A large wave ran 3 feet onto land and pulled her granddaughter back toward the lake as it forcefully receded. Wallace grabbed her by the shoulder and prevented her from drifting away.

“It was horrifying,” she said.

Risks of wake aside, Wallace noted lakefront real estate owners pay a lot of property taxes and the degradation of the lake would lower property values.

“If you have a heart and a conscience, you do it anyway for the lake,” she said.

Macone, who Wallace credits with helping her complete the feat last year, will be participating again on Aug. 27. She said she initially became interested in supporting LWA after receiving information about lake conservation in the mail and is happy to assist in fundraising for their mission.

“We really are excited about raising the money,” she said Friday afternoon.

Last year, after Wallace contacted Macone and they agreed to complete the relay despite Wallace’s struggle with Lyme disease, Macone said they completed the 3-mile effort in around 1.5 or two hours.

“I’m trying to be involved with" the Lake Winnipesaukee Association, Macone said. “Making people aware of the work that they do — it’s probably one of the most important things.”

Lake conservation is important to her, she said, in part because she’s spent years there and so have members of her family. Her parents moved to Gilford in 1985 and she has a brother in Moultonborough. Her two children have loved spending time on the lake and she hopes to see the tradition continue after the upcoming birth of her granddaughter.

“I’ve been up here in our home for 30 years,” she said. “I want to keep the lake clean for my family and for all of the people in the community.”

To learn more about the event, visit winnipesaukee.org/make-waves-for-winni-swim-a-thon.