Solo Swims of Ontario Inc.

Hall of Fame

MARILYN KORZEKWA

Dr Marilyn Korzekwa, MD was the first person to have completed Lake Ontario swims from both south-to-north and north-to-south on September 1-2, 1983 and August 17-18, 1984 respectively. Her 1984 north-south swim was the first completed by a Canadian, and had only been preceded by USA swimmer Diana Nyad in 1974. The start of the 1983 swim is shown above, together with the approach to Toronto with the legendary Cliff Lumsdon driving the inflatable.

The start and finish of the 1984 swim are depicted below. On the left and about to exit the inflatable to start at Leslie Street Spit, Marilyn is seen well-greased with (L-R) husband Peter, Cliff Lumsdon, and Brian Mercer. At the right, and 23 hours 0 minutes and 23 seconds later, Marilyn is seen exiting the water at the beach to the west of the harbour at Port Dalhousie.

Since 1988, she has contributed much time to the organization and planning of SSO activities - serving on the Board of Directors, acting as the Medical Officer, Secretary, and Chair of the Risk Management activities. Her husband, Peter, has also been an active member of SSO, serving as Treasurer for several years and has working regularly as a crew member on many swims.

Marilyn has a family of three children and works as a Psychiatrist with an academic appointment at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She still competes regularly in Masters swimming competitions - favouring endurance events such as the 200m Fly, 1500 m, and 5 km open-water swims.

SSO Home Page | Swim List | NOTL Plaque | Bryan Finlay, SSO

Updated: 20^th January 2002