Most Canadians are aware that the first person to swim the Lake from Niagara to Toronto was Marilyn Bell, 68 years ago. Marilyn waded into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario at Niagara on September 8, 1954, at night. Evidently, she had never swam at night before. It wasn’t supposed to be a race, but she made it into one. The Canadian National Exhibition had offered $10,000 to American swimmer Florence Chadwick to swim the lake. But 16-year-old Canadian high school student, Marilyn Bell also took up the challenge and she slipped into the dark waters shortly after Flo departed.

Marilyn’s coach Gus Ryder was in a boat ahead of her. No one ashore on the other side had any idea of the drama that was to unfold as Marilyn battled 4-metre waves, lamprey eels, exhaustion, and numbness. Ryder shouted encouragement and fed his swimmer corn syrup from a cup. At dawn, Marilyn had covered 22 of the 52-kilometres. She did not know it but she had already eclipsed Chadwick, who had become violently ill in the choppy water. When Marilyn became numb Ryder took out a black board and wrote FLO IS OUT! Marilyn’s best friend Joan Cooke shouted encouragement from the boat and Marilyn started swimming again. Meanwhile, word was spreading not only across Toronto but across all of Canada. A flotilla of media appeared and tens of thousands, eventually 250,000, gathered on shore.

At 6:30 in the evening, Marilyn reached her limit and Ryder ignored her father’s wishes to pull her out. Driven west by the current to Sunnyside on the Toronto shoreline, Marilyn finally touched the breakwater at 8:06 p.m. Because of the currents she had actually swum 64-kilometres. Pandemonium broke loose as Marilyn came ashore, the undisputed heroine of all Canada.

Today the plaque on the shore of Lake Ontario contains the names of over 50 people who followed Marilyn and who have successfully crossed to Toronto. Each name has its own story of skill, determination, and a tremendous effort. For instance, my son Shaun trained for nearly two years in pools, sometimes swimming back and forth for a mind numbing seven hours at a time. Swimmers must face contrary currents, cold water, waves and so much more that saps their energy and body temperature. Many failed in the attempt. Often, they fail not because of their own skills but often due to high waves, thunderstorms or long stretches of cold water caused by temperature inversions in the lake. Today, Marilyn still contacts all the swimmers to encourage them before they attempt the swim.

At night during the long crossing which can take over 20 hours, everyone in the accompanying boats must wear lights along with the swimmer to be visible. The swims are regulated by Soloswims Ontario after a swimmer drowned in the 1970’s. The regulations stipulate the swimmer can only wear trunks, swim cap and goggles, no wet suits allowed. They cannot touch the boat or any person, so food is often passed via a long stick with a cup on the end. To maintain their strength, they tend to eat every ½ hour while swimming in place. A high point in the swim is watching the sunrise after the long, long night.

My son Shaun successfully finished his swim in just over 19 hours. He accomplished this despite waves at night that rose to nearly three feet and some long patches of cold water where the temperatures dropped by almost 20 degrees. As a firefighter in Toronto, he set out to raise money for the burn unit at Toronto’s famous Sick Children’s Hospital. It was an emotional moment when, a few days after the swim, he presented a cheque for $15,000 to the whole burn unit at the hospital.

He has gone on to become a swim master for Soloswims Ontario and has helped dozens of others in their marathon swim attempts. The latest was this summer when he helped Sean Nuttall do a double crossing. That’s right, as hard as it is to believe, Sean swam the width of the lake twice in 42 hours through two long nights, an amazing total of 100.6-kilometers. Evidently it is the eighth longest swim in history.
The next time you are in Niagara, or looking out over Lake Ontario, think of what these dedicated marathon swimmers went through to cross the lake the hard way.

For further information, visit www.niagaraonthelake.com

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Invite a group of your closest friends and family members along to honor the occasion or simply celebrate à deux. Wear what you like, a bikini top and shorts or go full out like Beyoncé, who had a custom white gown, heavy on the bling, created for her vow renewal.

To learn more about these romantic occasions, pick up a copy of The Complete Guide to Vow Renewals, an Amazon ebook that I wrote with co-author Geri Bain. This step-by-step guide can walk you through the planning process and help you to creatively envision all the elements of your event. If the idea of enhancing a vacation with a vow renewal appeals, these are some outstanding places to retie the knot:

Hawaii. Combine a Waikiki vacation with a free vow renewal on the beach that integrates ancient customs, music and dance. The sunrise ceremony takes place every Monday and Thursday morning at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and is also open to guests at sister resort, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach.

Caribbean. If you’ve never been to a Sandals all-inclusive resort, it deserves consideration. Several of the adults-only properties — including ones in Grenada, Barbados, and St. Lucia, now feature romantic and quite luxurious overwater bungalows among the lodging choices. The brand’s basic $300 Retie the Knot vow renewal program, available in all its outposts, includes a planner, the location, orchid bouquet and boutonniere, chairs with cushions, prerecorded music, a signature cocktail, wedding cake, and commemorative certificate. They also throw in breakfast in bed and a complimentary photo. Bring more friends, and the resort furnishes more goodies. Couples with children under age 18 can enjoy a similar offer at Beaches resorts.

Arizona: If you and your significant other are still over the moon in love, consider a location that resembles the orb. The Boulders is set among megalithic rocks and towering saguaro cacti outside of Scottsdale. Stage your event in a meadow clearing or by a waterfall. If your group is small, consider renting a private villa that can sleep 6-8 overnighters and celebrate right there. The living area leads to a spacious patio complete with an outdoor gas grill and gas fireplace, where they can cook up a feast for you.

French Polynesia. For many couples, it’s the dream destination of a lifetime. At Four Seasons Bora Bora, you can arrive at your ceremony in an outrigger canoe and say your vows on the beach or in the chapel overlooking the lagoon and Mount Otemanu. For an utterly romantic finale, let the canoe be your transportation to a tiny private island, where you’ll be welcomed with Champagne and served a customized dinner for two as you toast the sunset, each other, and the years you’ve shared.

Las Vegas. Sure, you can renew your vows in front of an Elvis impersonator on the Strip, but you can also opt for something classier. Just about every good hotel has a chapel. The Wedding Salons at Wynn Las Vegas feature a vow renewal package that includes a dedicated event consultant, officiant, use of the dressing room, roses, music, a photo session and a webcast so the folks at home can be with you in spirit. If it’s not too hot, opt for the pretty outdoor Primrose Courtyard; otherwise choose one of the two chapels.

Ireland: You need not have royal blood to retie the knot at 800-year old Ashford Castle in County Mayo. Ceremonies can be held in castle gardens if weather permits or the George V dining room, the underground wine cellar, the drawing room, or an opulent event room on this 350-acre estate. If your guest list is long (and plenty of Irish cousins are on it), Oak Hall in the heart of the castle is available. For something even more historic, Ballintubber Abbey, founded in 1216, is nearby. For the ultimate in privacy and romance, book the one-bedroom Hideaway Cottage on the water’s edge of Lough Corrib.

Mexico. The historic colonial town that everyone loves, San Miguel de Allende features a number of scenic backdrops. At Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, you can renew vows on the lawn, in a rooftop terrace, inside the garden restaurant or at an amphitheater. And yes, strolling mariachis are an option.

Florida. On a northeast barrier island, the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island has a seaside vow renewal package that includes a private outdoor ceremony, fresh flowers, and a Champagne toast beside the Atlantic Ocean beaches. In case of bad weather, the resort prepares a backup location. While the hotel seems grand, the property is welcoming and comfortable. Everything that happens here happens with a coastal twist. The clean, fresh sea air and natural beauty of the island wash over guests, making The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island a casual, yet elegant refuge.

New Hampshire: A grand dame of a hotel, family-friendly Omni Mount Washington Resort at the base of 6,288-foot Mount Washington offers celebratory locations that include a garden, terrace, veranda, conservatory, and ballroom. Active couples and guests can tackle Bretton Woods ski area in winter, go on trail rides in warmer months, and slide across the zip line in all seasons.

Toronto: In the past few years, Toronto has seen the construction of numerous world-class hotels including Shangri-la, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and the new flagship of the Four Seasons hotel group. All are professionally run urban sanctuaries with stylish restaurants and event spaces. But for a top-of-the-world experience, there’s nothing that compares with 360 Restaurant in the CN Tower that stands at more than 1,000 feet tall and revolves while you dine. Not for the acrophobic or vertiginous, just for those dizzy with love.

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