Donation to Gravenhurst Against Poverty

The Swim Ontario Open Water Championships, held annually since 2021 at Gull Lake in Gravenhurst, ON, has become a highly anticipated provincial event, and a fun, challenging way to celebrate the end of the swimming season for many Ontario clubs.

This past July saw a record breaking number of entries with over 725 participants, ranging in age from 10 through to 80 participating. Whether interested to try open water swimming for the first time, looking to end off the season with a team building experience, or a swimmers’ goal to compete for one of the signature open water medals, there are events offered for everyone from 1KM, 3KM, 5KM & 4 x 500 Relays.

What truly makes this open water event memorable is that it’s not only making waves in the swimming community, but also throughout the Town of Gravenhurst, with residents, town council members and local businesses. Each and every year, there continues to be a growing network of collaborations, relationships, and connections established between Swim Ontario, the Provincial Sport Organization that sanctions the event, the many officials and volunteers from across Ontario, outside Ontario, and from local clubs in the Huronia region (the 2024 host club was Muskoka Aquatic Club-MUSAC), as well as the incredible support from local businesses and families and Gravenhurst Town Council who continue to be engaged, inspired and empowered by this event.

It all started in 2019 when Swim Ontario was looking for venues to expand their provincial open water events mandate. Stars or better yet, “buoys” aligned when local Gravenhurst resident and business owner Al Shaw of Riverstone Environmental, contacted Swim Ontario CEO Dean Boles with a vision to host an open water event on Gull Lake. As a local business owner connected to the Gravenhurst community, as well as his wife and business partner Bev Wicks also coaching, their kids swimming with a Huronia club, and the support of the swimming community, the inaugural Ontario Open Water Event at Gull Lake was launched in 2021

Each year, revenue raised from vendors goes to local community organizations and in 2025, this revenue was donated to Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP), a community powered organization addressing the needs of neighbours facing poverty. GAP offers meals, food hampers, transportation, and wellness programs to adults and youth. The more than 300 volunteers, many supportive local businesses, foundations and the community at large are united through GAP to envision a future where every member of our community can thrive with dignity and opportunity.

Swim Ontario was honoured to present the cheque in person to GAP Chair Beth Houston and Executive Director Peter Stolpmann, meet some of the volunteers, and have a tour of this incredible organization. A snapshot of GAPs Community Impact includes: $329,000 of food rescued from landfill; 44,200 meals provided to neighbours and 21,840 volunteer hours.

GAP’s volunteer community is a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. GAPs volunteers reflect the very best of Gravenhurst—people who care deeply for their neighbours, who act with kindness and empathy, and who are committed to creating a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

For more information on Swim Ontario and its strategic pillars ENGAGE, INSPIRE & EMPOWER go to swimontario.com

For more information on Gravenhurst Against Poverty and its mission and vision go to gravenhurstagainstpoverty.com