Born and raised in Montreal, Canada I am the daughter of two incredibly loving parents, Barbara and Richard Simmons – they have been together for over 60 years. I am blessed to have 3 incredible sisters; Laura, Robin and Valerie, and several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
I now live in Victoria, Canada with my life partner Ray. We have been together for 28 years. My life is enriched by his presence and the quiet moments we spend together on the water; Ray in his kayak and me swimming.
Ray and I were both child athletes and strongly connected to our families and communities. We value the natural environment, good health and community.
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I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over twenty-five years ago, I have chosen a lifestyle that manages the disease through physical fitness and diet. My number one form of exercise is swimming and my diet is vegan. Both minimize the stress on my body, making it possible for me to live an active life.
Swimming in the open water provides me with a special kind of freedom. Multiple Sclerosis is a cruel disease. While one of the best ways for me to manage it is to exercise, exercise is also one of the things that can cause me to over heat and potentially lead to damaging attacks. The open water keeps me cool where I am free to exercise.
Getting to where I am today has presented many challenges. When I first decided to exercise I had a difficult time walking a block. My initial pool swims were limited to 10 to 20 lengths followed by a 3-hour nap. Over time I built-up stamina and was able to swim for longer and longer periods of time. What soon followed was the ability to participate in other forms of exercise including kayaking, outrigger canoeing, cycling, weightlifting and CrossFit.
I wholeheartedly believe everyone is worth the effort it takes to be healthy, and for those of us with disease our first line of defence should be a healthy and fit self.
A few of my past swims
- 2021, Fun swim from Sidney to and around James Island, 14km, unassisted, first known person
- 2021, Als 21 for 21, Thetis Lake, 21km, unassisted
- 2020, Hornby island eco swim, 13km, assisted (fins)
- 2020 The Great Big Swim, 80km staged, unassisted team
- 2019 Strait of Georgia, 29 km, unassisted – removed, sick crew
- 2019 Juan de Fuca Strait (Victoria to Dungeness), 33km, unassisted – removed due to currents and tankers
- 2019 Haro Strait (first known person), 16 km, unassisted, first known person
- 2019, Namu to Koeye, 15 km, unassisted, first known person
- 2019, Fisher Channel across the Burke, 18 km, unassisted, first known person
- 2018, Juan de Fuca Strait attempted unassisted double crossing, 66km (removed due to hypothermia)
- 2018, Journey to Namu – Lama Pass and Fisher Channel Crossing, first known person
- 2017, Juan de Fuca Strait, 33km, unassisted, fastest known crossing
- 2017, Great Bear Sea (Inside Passage) June 2016, 20km staged over 2 days, unassisted, first know person
- 2016, Cowichan Lake, attempted 105km, unassisted (stopped due to motion sickness)
- 2016, Great Bear Sea (Inside Passage) July 2016, 50km staged over 2 days, unassisted, first known person
- 2015, Cowichan Lake, attempted 105km, unassisted (stopped due to extreme motion sickness)
- 2014, Cowichan Lake, 70km, unassisted
- 2013, Cowichan Lake, 34km, unassisted
- 2012, English Bay Challenge, 10km, wetsuit
- 2011, Strait of Georgia, 34km, relay, wetsuit
- 2011, Thetis Lake Swim, 5km, unassisted
