Carl Oake started this event 36 years ago. He says he was inspired by the work the Easter Seals did because of his relatives. His mother’s twin sister contracted polio in the 1950s while a cousin of his was born with spina bifida - both physically debilitating diseases.
The donations gathered by the annual swim go to the Easter Seals - an organization that helps children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities. They also go to The Rotary Club of Peterborough.
As Oake chatted with friends and reporters at the swim, he dropped everything when Mitchell McColl came onto the pool deck.
McColl was the Easter Seals ambassador in 2012, and has attended the Carl Oake Swim every year since.
“That’s why we do it,” Oake said, gesturing to McColl.
T-shirts worn by participants feature a photo of Oake and McColl from the 2012 swim.