I am eternally grateful to those who have supported the Great Bear Swim with random acts of kindness. These journeys are not possible without your support.
Please take a moment to visit their Facebook page or website. These are truly kind hearted people!
Heiltsuk First Nation and the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department
We wish to acknowledge the Heilstuk First Nation who’s traditional territory we will be swimming through. We would also like to thank the Chief and Council, the Band Office and the Integrated Resource Management department for providing us with knowledge of their territory.
To my incredible friend Kevin Heneghan; thank you for your unbounded generosity.
Kevin is the owner of Drifter’s Cove on Lama Pass. He very kindly donates his eco-retreat including cabins, wilderness sauna and boats for the swim. The cabins are hand crafted with all the luxuries a girl could ask for in the wilderness. It’s great to be able to jump in the cool water of the Inside Passage throughout the year as Kevin also makes his cabins available for training. It is a remarkable and unique place where one can truly experience peace.
Thank you to Helly Hansen for your ongoing kind donations. You have been instrumental in creating our much needed hypothermia kit – all of the things I need in case I become hypothermic fit the waterproof bag you provided! Your gear is fantastic and perfect for the environment we will be in. I know the crew very much appreciates and will look great in the vests.
Thank you Pacific Wild for your continued guidance and support for the swim expeditions. Your local knowledge and expertise continues to be invaluable as does the boats for expiatory missions!
The use of Ian Mcallister’s photographs and video footage for presentations, the website for mini-documentaries of the swim is greatly appreciated.
If you have a few moments please have a look at the Seal Garden broadcast via Great Bear Live – a Pacific Wild project.
Videography and Photography
This year I am thrilled to have The Timeless Photography Group from Bella Bella capturing the swim for others to see. Jordan Wilson and Philip Blaney are both residents of Bella Bella and members of the Heiltsuk Nation. Their participation in this project means a great deal as the swim takes place in their traditional territory. They will undoubtedly capture some incredible imagery.
A heart felt thanks to Paul Bucci for the many hours spent getting word out about the swim and our Great Bear Story! Without your help Paul, many would not have know about the swim.
Serious Coffee – Blanchard, Victoria
Huge thank you to my favourite baristas at Serious Coffee on Blanchard in Victoria. They have kindly donated coffee for my support crew each swim. I love the hot pink travel coffee mug which I use during the swim. It’s easy to find if I drop it in the water.
Love you guys!
Past Sponsors
Seaproof.tv kindly produced a video that captured the swim from Ocean Falls to Bella Bella. Both Trisha and Russ are incredible people and if you have have a chance to hire this company – do it! They are extremely gifted and professional.
Here’s a bit about their company:
Seaproof.tv was born out of a passion for our oceans, and for sharing stories. We’re a company that focuses on underwater video, and showing the world the adventures that our oceans hold.
We are the dedicated duo of Trisha Stovel, an underwater videographer, experienced diver, and nature lover. And Russell Clark, Art Director, scuba diver, and filmmaker. Together we capture stories, above and below the waves.
When we first heard about the Great Bear Swim it immediately demanded our attention. How could it not? Adventure and excitement – filmmakers crave these things. The opportunity to tell an evolving story as unique as this, is not something we could pass up.
We’re not sure how things will unfold, we’re not sure on the final story that will be told, and we’re not sure what will happen along the way, and that’s exactly why we’re on board. We’ll be there to capture the journey, the stories of those involved, the lives of those we meet, and the adventure that unfolds. We can’t wait to share with everyone the Great Bear Swim.
(2016)
Super big thanks to Brian and Carolyn at HeartSafe for replenishing our First Aid kit for the swim. Our safety comes first and your heartfelt contribution goes a long way!
Lakeview Park & Heather Campsites (2016)
Thank you to Lakeview Park Campsite and Heather Campsite for their continued support with our swims. They have kindly donated camping space to us at this summer as we train in our favourite lake. Welook forward to our Swim for Peace in August of this year.