Triathlete eyes Guinness record during swim of B.C.’s Okanagan Lake

VERNON, B.C. — An endurance swimmer from the United States has started stroking toward a Guinness World Record in British Columbia’s Okanagan Lake.

Michigan-based triathlete Adam Ellenstein intends to swim 105-kilometres from Okanagan Landing to Penticton.

He started just before 6 a.m. Monday and plans to complete the gruelling marathon in 40 hours.

If successful, Ellenstein hopes to claim the record for the fastest, non-stop, lengthwise swim of the chilly lake.

Tourism Kelowna lists the average water temperature in July as low as 19 C, and Ellenstein’s Facebook page says he will consume at least 10,000 calories during the record attempt.

Looped in

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: February 26, 2026

1h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Saving people time at ICBC

Feb 25, 2026

Question of the Week

Has the violence in Mexico changed your opinion about travelling there for a vacation?

Feb 23, 2026

He is accompanied by a crew of 16, including several kayakers who will paddle beside him throughout the endeavour that is aimed at raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease. (CKIZ)

The Canadian Press