Six Kilometres. Three Swimmers. One Lake.

On the early morning of Saturday, September 2, 2025, as the lake lay calm and quiet, three Desert Lake residents quietly set out to do something that—by all accounts—had never been done before.

Caroline Liptay, Laura Stanbra, and Thomas Bucher embarked on a full-length swim of Desert Lake, starting at the public boat launch on Desert Lake Road and finishing approximately 6 kilometres later at the residence of Alice and Jonathan Price. The swim traced the entire length of the lake, offering a rare, water-level perspective of a shoreline most of us know by boat or from land.

The trio trained throughout the summer in preparation for the swim and were rewarded on the day with near-perfect conditions. Support boats accompanied the swimmers for safety and refuelling, pacing them steadily as they crossed one bay after another. Thomas completed the swim in just over two hours, while Caroline and Laura finished together in approximately two hours and fifty minutes—an impressive feat of endurance by any measure.

To put the achievement into perspective, Desert Lake stretches roughly 6 kilometres from end to end, making this swim comparable to crossing a small inland sea under human power alone. Few experiences demand such sustained focus, strength, and respect for the water.

After reaching shore, the swimmers were met not with fanfare, but with something even better: burgers and a cold beer, shared in good company after a long and memorable morning on the lake.

Having spoken with long-time residents who have lived on Desert Lake for decades, the swimmers believe this may be the first documented full-length swim of the lake—a quiet milestone in the lake’s history.

“We may consider making this an annual event if others are interested in joining,” says Laura.

Whether it remains a singular achievement or grows into a new lake tradition, this swim is a powerful reminder of the deep connection many residents feel to Desert Lake—not just as a place to visit, but as a place to truly experience, challenge, and celebrate.