Wil Wegman to Swim with the Fishes Across Lake Couchiching

Wegman prepares to Swim With The Fishes Again Saturday, August 11th, 2018. Wil's Cross-Lake Couchiching Swim To Raise Funds for Child Advocacy Centre (CAS)

Orillia Ontario: Wil Wegman of Bradford Ontario is a well know angler who was voted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame, in 2017, so he might be better known for catching fish than swimming with them. However, it's exactly the latter that he will be doing once again on Saturday, August 11th in the fish-filled waters of Orillia's Lake Couchiching. "I'll be swimming 4km across Couchiching in my sixth Sun City Swim fundraising event along with about 50 other dedicated swimmers", he said. It generally takes him one and a half hours to cross the lake with his best time coming in 2015 at 1 hour 27 minutes.  " That will be the time for me to beat and I'm hoping my increased training regime will help me deliver a Personal Best time", he said. Wegman is still swimming laps 5-6 days a week at his local Bradford pool but has increased his overall distances and bettered previous times including a new Personal Best of 3 km in under one hour. "Swimming the lake vs the pool is so different though, and so many variables that you can't control in the lake you can in the pool," he said. 

One of the factors that will definitely influence everyone's time is wind and anglers know all too well that Cooch is known for its rough water. Another handicap that will likely afflict Wegman more than any of the other swimmers is his peculiar inclination to search for big bass instead of focussing on the task at hand. "I just can't seem to help myself! Whenever we cross a weed patch or rocky isolated cover, I automatically start looking below for any of my beloved largemouth. My son Izaak who paddles his kayak alongside as my spotter, is continually yelling at me to stop looking for fish," admitted Wegman.

In 2018, something completely new and foreign to Wegman's Swim with the Fishes, will be what he plans to wear while crossing the lake. "As of Canada Day, I still haven't received it, but Bass Pro Shops is kindly supporting my swim and sending me an XPS neoprene wetsuit. I never get cold while swimming the lake so that's not why I'm gonna wear it, but I keep hearing from other far-more accomplished swimmers that these wetsuits will definitely improve your time - so I'm going to give it a try", he said.  

When he first started participating in this charity swim in 2013, he had no idea of the tremendous support he would get from family, friends, co-workers and especially the angling community he is so close with. Thanks to their generosity for the past five years, together they have been able to provide the Child Advocacy Centre for abused kids with a significant financial contribution - more than any other swimmer! Below is a quick breakdown of that support:

2013-  $2,025

2014-     $995

2015 – $1,910

2016- $1,300

2017-$1,700

Total= $7,930

About The Child Advocacy Centre: The Child Advocacy Centre of Simcoe/Muskoka is a child-friendly and child-focused centre in which multidisciplinary professionals provide service to children and youth who have experienced abuse of any kind. This environment helps minimize trauma and fosters healing. Learn more at:  www.cacsimcoemuskoka.ca For more information on the CAC Sun City Swim please visit: CACSM or call: 705-327-0118.

Finally, Wil would like to thank all past and future supporters of his Swim With the Fishes. In 2018, he will provide a draw prize of a $50 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card,  $50 worth of Rapala/Normark Tackle and another $50 worth of ice fishing tackle from HT Enterprises. All those who contribute $25 or more to his fundraising campaign will be eligible to receive this draw prize package.

To learn more about Wil and his connection to fish and the fishing community, please visit his site below:

          Wil Wegman

     "Focus On Fishing"

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    www.wilwegman.com