Have you heard of the Flying Dutchman, the Nile Crocodile, the Pekuakami Otter and the American Torpedo? These are the nicknames given to some of the open water marathoners who made their mark on the Lac St-Jean Crossing. Their exploits are recounted by the spirited pen of Jean-Pierre Girard in the new book, The crazy stories of the Crossing of Lake St-Jean.
Since the Girard family residence was on the shores of Lake Saint-Jean, he was able to observe the swimmers, the boats and the cheering crowds from a very young age. “The people of Roberval fell in love with the Crossing at first sight,” says the journalist.
However, the local population was afraid of water or did not know how to swim in the 1950s. “Martin Bédard dreamed of inspiring them by finding a swimmer who would dare to cross the lake. When Jacques Amyot succeeded, on July 23, 1955, in 11 hours and 32 minutes, it was unimaginable for people!”
This act of bravery made Roberval famous.
All of a sudden, we started to exist. The whole population got on board. Every year, we organize a dinner downtown with tourtière and blueberry pie. There is a strong community spirit. The event belongs to the people.
Jean-Pierre Girard
He himself speaks of it as if he were describing the exploits of his offspring. He also claims that the Crossing gave him the strongest sensations of his career. “I always dreamed of being a sports journalist, of traveling the world and covering the Olympic Games. It didn’t happen, but I was experiencing the Crossing next door to us.”
PHOTO ARCHIVES OF THE CROSSING
The Lac St-Jean Crossing takes place on the last Saturday in July, regardless of the conditions.
He admits to often losing his composure as a presenter. “Even though I had interviewed celebrities and prime ministers, or hosted debates, in the rest of my career, I was very impressed by the swimmers in the studio. I watched them as if I were 8 years old! To me, they were demigods!”
A demanding… and worrying marathon
These “superhuman” athletes face a lake that is not easily tamed, during the marathon that takes place on the last Saturday in July, no matter the conditions. “When you arrive at the dock, you see the swimmers looking out to sea with worried eyes. They have to face the wind, the huge waves, the immensity of the lake that leaves you without landmarks. But the biggest problem is the cold water and hypothermia. We have saved several swimmers from drowning in 70 years.”
The physical demands of the 32-kilometre crossing are enormous. But the training techniques to prepare for it have become more refined.
On the first crossing with six swimmers, they were able to eat a steak in the morning before setting off.
Jean-Pierre Girard
During the first 20 years of the Crossing, winners swam between 8 and 9 hours to complete the race. “Some took up to 14 hours, before the limit was set at 12 hours.”
Everything changed with Olympic swimmer John Kinsella, aka the American Torpedo. “A few hours after his morning start, I went home. We heard the radio announcer telling people to come to the dock because Kinsella was coming. We were thinking, ‘This can’t be happening, we’re having dinner!’ Then the organizers had to delay the start of the marathon because he was coming too fast.”
PHOTO ARCHIVES OF THE CROSSING
The physical demands of the 32-kilometre crossing are enormous.
Don’t think that Quebecers are left out. Open water swimming enthusiasts will tell you about Robert Cossette who crossed the lake at age 74, his daughter Christine who completed the first 64 km round trip and other famous winners (Xavier Desharnais, Annie Grandisson, Régent Lacoursière, Alexandre Leduc, Robert Lachance, Christine Cossette).
We were blessed to have six Quebecers who won the Crossing. During 40 years of the Memphremagog Lake Crossing, never has a Quebecer won.
Jean-Pierre Girard
He remembers Robert Lachance’s unexpected victory in 1982 as well as Xavier Desharnais’s 10 years ago. “When people saw Xavier come first in 2014 and 2015, they were so happy!”
Stars at the rendezvous
The event has featured Hollywood stars, prime ministers, NHL players and several memorable swimmers, but it’s the race itself that draws the crowds. “When you’re on the dock, the stands are filled with thousands of people. There’s an extraordinary atmosphere. When the leaders arrive, there’s an explosion of joy! People love it and they’re connoisseurs.”
Even though Jean-Pierre Girard describes the most vibrant stories of the Crossing for about 260 pages, he nevertheless concludes on a note of concern, mentioning the disaffiliation of the competition from FINA. “I am worried by nature. Quebec was once a breeding ground for swimming marathons: the 24 hours of La Tuque lasted 20 years, the Crossing of Lake Memphremagog 40 years, the Marathon du Saguenay for years. Montreal had open water swimming marathons. Unfortunately, all of these events have disappeared.”
A touch of hope in closing. “My friend Pierre Lavoie thinks that we should add a popular component by inviting all the swimming clubs in Quebec to do the Crossing, while keeping the competitive component. According to him, that would attract even more people. In my opinion, it would be difficult to ensure the safety of 200 swimmers in such conditions, but we know what he is capable of organizing.”
The crazy stories of the Crossing of Lake St-Jean
Editions of Man
280 pages