The swim will start at 8 a.m. at the docks by Algonquin Outfitters, and Jarvis expects it to wrap up around 12:30. Supporters are invited to the docks to see her off and welcome her back. She’ll swim a 9-kilometre route from downtown Huntsville up the Muskoka River, to Lake Vernon, around Gallagher’s Island, and back. Jarvis is asking locals to help her help the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) because it’s a cause close to heart and home for most people in the area.

“I’m swimming for life-saving equipment. It’s something that can be used in the hospitals daily and helps all the residents of the community out,” Jarvis said. “You’re never too young or old to fulfill your dream, and that’s what my swims have been.”

Jarvis said it was great to fundraise for Huntsville Hospital in 2023, so she approached the foundation again this year to let them know she wanted to do more for them. She set the same fundraising goal of $5,000, though she hopes to raise more than the $6,836 she raised for the MRI project last year.

Roughly eight or nine other swimmers will join her in the water for the final stretch of her swim. They’ll start swimming at various points during the last three and a half kilometres of the journey and have kayak support available along the way, so Jarvis will have people backing her in the water and on the docks.

“It’s neat to see that,” she said. “It gives you that extra push and that extra drive.”

Jarvis has been swimming since she was only a year and a half old. She got into competitive and long-distance swimming before transitioning her swims into fundraisers. It keeps her in shape, but more importantly, it allows her to raise money for essential local causes. 

She plans to continue swimming for charity as long as she’s able. This is Jarvis’ second year swimming for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, but overall, she’s spent just shy of three decades swimming for different healthcare causes. 

She started her fundraising swims to support cancer camps for children. After supporting Camp Trillium and Camp Oochgeas, she also swam for Hospice Huntsville for over 10 years. Jarvis said it’s an honour and a privilege to be working with the hospital foundation now.

“All the equipment that I’m raising money for will be needed in years to come,” she said. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling of support that I’ve gotten over the years, especially the past two years for the foundation.”

It’s heartwarming for her to see the encouragement and support grow over the years while knowing the donations are helping the community at large. Supporters can contribute in person at the swim or online on Jarvis’s fundraising page, which will remain open for donations for a few weeks after the event.

She’s hoping for sunny skies and calm waters on the day of the event, but she’s planning to swim rain or shine. She’s only had to be pulled out of the water due to bad weather once before, so she feels good about her chances.

She’s been training with friends about three times a week in preparation for the fundraiser. Even though she’s done it dozens of times before, she still has some nerves leading up to the big day. She tries to focus on training and getting a good night’s sleep in the days leading up to the swim. 

“Once I get there and dive in at 8, I get my rhythm and I tell myself, ‘I can do this,’” she said, adding that she reminds herself who she’s doing it for. “As it gets closer, I get a little nervous, which is hard to believe after all the years, but maybe that makes the swims more special.”

Trish Kruusmagi, development officer for community engagement and events at HHF, said the team at the foundation had a lot of fun celebrating Jarvis’ first swim. They’re excited to see her back at it, especially given the importance of the cause.

Every year, the foundation raises over a million dollars to cover the purchase of new equipment for the hospital. Everything from stretchers to heart monitors is paid for with private money.

“Events like Joy’s not only raise money for the hospital, but they raise awareness in the community because a lot of people don’t even realize that we have to fundraise for the equipment inside,” Kruusmagi said. “They think it’s paid with tax dollars, and it’s not true.”

All hospitals in the province have to raise money for equipment, so creating awareness around that need is crucial. She said their job at the foundation is to inspire the community to donate, and between locals and cottagers, it’s an incredibly generous community. 

Kruusmagi said it’s great to see Jarvis supporting the hospital because it helps existing residents while also attracting new people to the area. It’s a community hub with critical importance, so she and the foundation team are urging people to show their support for her efforts. Their team will have a tent set up at the docks with their summer ambassadors there to cheer her on.

“We’re encouraging people who live along the route to clap and cheer as she swims by and support her,” Kruusmagi said. “There might even be a little celebration of it at the pub afterwards for anyone who wants to join.”

Jarvis is quite the lady, Kruusmagi said, and passionate people like her have a ripple effect in the community. Recently, an eight-year-old girl sold bracelets to her friends, and when others decided to match her donation, she was able to contribute over $3,000. 

After that, a local boy gave his birthday money while another boy had a lemonade stand at a family garage to bring in donations. Residents know what a difference a good hospital makes, and every bit counts, she said.

For people who can’t donate directly, volunteering with the hospital auxiliary or foundation is another way to help. Locals can also reach out to Kruusmagi if they want to start their own fundraising event.

“Whether it’s a bake sale or a swim or a substantial million-dollar donation, they all help us raise the money needed for the equipment that will, in the long term, attract physicians to Huntsville,” she said. “When you’re working and you’re practicing, you want to work with the best equipment there is, it just makes your job easier, so that is another goal of ours is attracting new physicians to the area.”

To make a donation to Joy Jarvis’ fundraiser, visit her page on JustGiving.com.

The post Local Swimmer Raises Money For Equipment At Huntsville Hospital On July 28 appeared first on Muskoka411.

Saturday, November 19, 2022 – Let’s Swim!

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm  Gravenhurst YMCA

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm   Huntsville Active Living Centre

Sunday, November 20, 2022 – Let’s Skate!

8:30 am – 10:20 am Baysville Arena

1:00 pm – 2:20 pm    Bala Arena

Friday, November 25, 2022 – Swim OR Skate!

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Bracebridge Sportsplex (Swim)

7:10 pm – 8:30 pm Mactier Arena (Skate)

Note: Families do not need to register for the events, but some locations will have a maximum number of attendees due to facility limitations.

What is National Child Day?

National Child Day, celebrated annually on November 20th, is a day dedicated to recognizing the importance of promoting and safeguarding the rights of children and youth. Celebrated since 1993, National Child Day commemorates the United Nations’ adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 1989. By signing onto the UNCRC, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect and have every opportunity to reach their full potential. This commitment includes:

1. Providing children opportunities to have a voice (speak out and be heard)
2. Protecting children from harm
3. Ensuring children’s basic needs are met

Learn more about National Child Day: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/national-child-day.html

The post Celebrating Children Of Muskoka With Free Swimming And Skating appeared first on Muskoka411.

North York resident Maggie Chen was travelling up to Algonquin Park on Aug. 30 with her two sons and her friend’s family when they decided to stop at Port Sydney Falls along the way. It was meant to be a quick stopover, but after losing their keys, they ended up sticking around for longer than expected. Meanwhile, cottager Melissa Paiuk took her daughter Katelyn, her son Cole and Cole’s friend Thomas Webber to the falls for a day of late summer fun. The boys brought along a tube in hopes of sliding down the natural chute created by the falls, but they quickly decided that it wouldn’t be safe. 

“When we got there, we felt that the water was really strong, so I said to them just to kind of play at the bottom because I didn’t feel comfortable with them going down from the top,” Melissa said. “There was just too much water.”

Melissa and Katelyn were hanging out on the rocks while the boys put on their life jackets and played at the bottom of the falls. They noticed Chen, her friend and their kids playing at the edge of the water, and when the two boys took a break from their swim, the situation took a turn for the worse.

Chen’s 10-year-old son was in the shallow water when he started getting carried away by the current. Chen went in after him, but between slippery rocks and fast-moving water, she soon lost her balance and found herself floating past him. She was struggling to keep her head above water when Cole and Webber ran over to help. 

They started by throwing Chen a life jacket, but when she disappeared under the surface of the water, Cole swam out to her and handed it directly to her. Since she isn’t a strong swimmer and her clothes were soaked through with the weight of the water, Chen clutched Cole with one hand and the life jacket with the other while they struggled to swim back to shore. 

“I was drowning and suddenly the boy, Cole, [was] just there and held my hand and then he told me, ‘Don’t panic,’” Chen said. “Then he asked me to kick.”

As they tried to swim to safety together, they were carried down the river, so Melissa went into the water and helped Cole pull Chen onto the rocks. Having swallowed a great deal of water, Chen was dizzy and started to throw up. Melissa ran to a nearby cottage and called 911 while Webber swam out to Chen’s son, pulled him onto his back and brought him back onto shore with Katelyn’s help.

“I was scared for Cole and the woman because they were going down the river,” Webber said. “I thought she could have died because she was going underwater and drowning. I am happy I saved the boy and the [woman] was okay.”

Once emergency services arrived, Melissa went to collect Webber and the other kids since they ended up on the opposite side of the river. After that, Chen invited them all into the ambulance with her and thanked them profusely for their help.

“When we were in the ambulance, the woman told me I saved her life and her family. It feels good,” Cole said. “I am very happy everyone is safe.”

Mike Vadlja, fire prevention officer for the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department, said it was fortunate that they were able to perform the rescue successfully, but he urges people to exercise caution when visiting the falls.

“The current at the base of the falls can be very strong and unpredictable at times, especially after some heavy rains and particularly during the spring thaw,” Vadlja said. “It is always recommended that a [personal flotation device] be worn when entering any fast-moving water.”

The peace and beauty of the setting can keep people from realizing the true danger of Port Sydney Falls, Melissa said, and the area has seen its share of incidents. That said, she still can’t believe that two young boys sprang into action the way they did and she’s endlessly proud of them for it.

“They didn’t hesitate to get in the water and help,” Melissa said. “They remained calm and made fast, smart decisions during the rescue. They are heroes.”

Chen and her group didn’t end up making it to Algonquin Park for camping, but the trip, despite being brief, made a profound impression on her. Some of the lingering fear remains, but more than anything, the whole situation reminded her just how valuable life is.

“I cannot express my gratitude to Cole and his mom,” Chen said. “I will never forget that day.” 

The post Nine-Year-Old And 11-Year-Old Rescue Two People At Port Sydney Falls appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Wellington County OPP, the Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services, and local fire departments attended the scene and began to search for the missing swimmer.

At 7:30 p.m., the swimmer was located, and was transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notifications.

Any person with further information regarding this incident may contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

The post Wellington County OPP Report Missing Swimmer Pronounced Deceased appeared first on Muskoka411.

Follow These Spa and Pool Safety Tips

• Keep all outdoor receptacles covered and dry – especially those around pools, spas, and other summer water activities.
• Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) outside. They help prevent electrocutions and electric shock injuries. Using portable GFCIs also helps increase electrical safety around the pool or spa.
• All electrical equipment used for swimming pools, even the cleaning equipment, must be grounded.
• Keep electrical devices and cords at least three metres away from water sources.
• Use battery-operated appliances instead of cord-connected appliances in and around the pool or spa.
• Make sure nobody handles electrical devices when wet, either from water activities or perspiration.
• No power lines should be hovering over a swimming pool or spa.
• Don’t go in the pool or spa before, during, or after a thunderstorm.
• An electrician should inspect and upgrade your pool, spa, or hot tub per the Canadian Electrical Code to avoid electric shock.

Follow these tips in case you or someone else gets shocked in a pool:

• Move away from the source of the shock.
• Get out of the water. Don’t use a metal ladder as it is an electrical conductor and may intensify the shock.
• Immediately turn off all power to prevent rescuers from becoming victims.
• Call or make sure someone else calls 911.
• Use a rescue hook (shepherd’s crook) to pull the victim out of the water carefully.
• Position the victim on their back, then check for breathing and administer CPR if needed.

Contact PuroClean of North Simcoe and Muskoka For Property Restoration Services

Using electrical devices, such as appliances, equipment, and tools outdoors, also poses spa and pool safety risks and other personal injury risks. Check out these indoor electrical safety tips. For professional water damage repair or mould removal service, call us at (705) 710-0606.

The post Electrical Safety For Swimming Pools And Spas appeared first on Muskoka411.

Almost half of all child drownings in Canada happen in backyard swimming pools. Children from one to four years of age are most likely to drown in a backyard pool. If you own a pool or spa, it’s critical that you take steps to ensure the safety of everyone – and especially children – in and around the water.

Here are some life-saving tips to help protect your family and friends:

• Always watch your children when they’re in or near a pool or spa. If multiple adults are present, designate one of them to watch the children. Make sure you rotate water watchers – this technique will prevent any lapses in supervision.

• Teach children basic water safety tips and enroll them in swimming lessons. Even if you don’t live close to water, your child will end up near it at some point, whether on vacation or at someone else’s home.

• Don’t rely on fun toys such as water wings or noodles to keep your children safe. If your child can’t swim, fit them with an appropriate personal floatation device (PFD).

• Put away your phone. Children can silently slip beneath the surface and drown in seconds. Make sure you keep your phone fully charged and within reach so you can call for help in case of an emergency.

• Have an emergency plan in place: knowing and acting immediately-instead of waiting for emergency responders-can make the difference between life and death in drowning cases or anytime a person’s heart stops.

• Establish pool rules:

– Don’t go in or near the pool without an adult

– No pushing or running around pool

– If someone is in trouble, let an adult know immediately.

For more information on water safety, please visit https://www.parachutecanada.org/en/injury-topic/drowning/.

The post Drowning Prevention When It Comes To Swimming Pools appeared first on Muskoka411.

Investigation revealed the person had entered the water to swim.

The Almaguin Highlands OPP Marine Unit located the deceased who was identified as Alexei Golvbev, 53 years-of-age of Bradford, Ontario.

The investigation is ongoing under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OCC-OFPS).

The OPP would like to remind everyone that fluctuating water levels can cause special hazards for swimmers/boaters. Water levels can change rapidly due to flooding rivers or water released through dams.

Tips for swimmers:

• Always swim with a buddy,
• Let someone know when and where you’re going for a swim,
• Test water with feet, don’t dive right in,
• Don’t swim while under influence of alcohol/drugs,
• Swim in designated areas and if you’re not a strong swimmer wear a Personal Floatation Device (PDF).

The post Almaguin Highlands OPP Locate Deceased Swimmer appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is advising the public of a small fuel spill into Lake Rosseau from a boat at the Windermere Marina. The affected area is in the vicinity of the Windermere Marina and Windermere Beach.

Windermere Beach has been closed for swimming. Private drinking water supplies may be impacted if they are drawn from the Windermere Park area of Lake Rosseau. Private well water under the direct influence of surface water in this area may also be impacted.

As a precaution, SMDHU is recommending that people do not swim in the vicinity of the Windermere Marina and Windermere Beach. SMDHU is further recommending for cottagers and residents in this area that private water supplies not be used if a sheen or fuel smell is present in surface water nearby and that an alternate water source be used. Drinking water samples can be submitted to a licensed laboratory for testing if you have a private water supply that may have been impacted by the recent fuel spill.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is monitoring the on-going clean-up.

More information about testing private water supplies through licensed laboratories can be found on the SMDHU website or by calling Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The post Windermere Beach Closed For Swimming Due To Small Fuel Spill appeared first on Muskoka411.