A local organization is hitting the water this weekend to raise awareness for salmon restoration on the Coast.
Members of Top Environmental Network United Kinship (TENUK) are hosting a Swim for the Salmon event on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Quinn Barabash, TENUK founder and event organizer said participants can swim, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard their way from Egmont to Sechelt, covering approximately 35 km through the Sechelt Inlet.
The timeline, as given by Barabash, will see the event start at the Egmont government dock Saturday at 6:45 a.m. for beginner kayakers, and 7:30 a.m. for experienced kayakers ending at their own time.
Barabash said he will be swimming the distance starting at 7:30 a.m. with a supporting kayaker.
"I am estimating that it will take me between 10 and 17 hours. I hope to finish by 9 p.m.," he said.
Barabash sees the event as raising a voice on the issue on salmon restoration and draws inspiration from the journey salmon go through as well as their environmental importance.
For those wishing to join for only a portion of the event, Barabash said there is a last-leg portion where participants can start from Tuwanek as an alternative to Egmont.
About a dozen people committed to the event. Due to safety and challenging physical aspects of the event, Barabash strongly urges any last minute participants to call him for information rather than just showing up.
In addition to Saturday's event, a free, celebratory salmon barbecue will be held on Sunday starting at 3 p.m. at the Porpoise Bay campground. Barabash and TENUK members will be serving up salmon while answering questions anyone may have surrounding the organization and salmon awareness.
TENUK has been working on salmon education through their Clowhom Lake Salmon Restoration Project. Working with the Sechelt Indian Band, the group's project would see a fish ladder or side channel built, allowing salmon to be successfully re-introduced to the Clowhom watershed after being wiped out by a BC Hydro damn in 1956.
The group is in the process of applying for a grant through BC Hydro's Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program for project funding.
Call Barabash at 604-989-2894 or 604-740-7799 for event information.
