The Masters Swimming Ontario SWIMS Award


Bryan Finlay being presented with the SWIMS award by
Beverley Tucker, MSO President,
at St. Mary's, September 11, 2005

Bryan Finlay -

Bryan Finlay-Destined for the open water.

In 1960, Bryan Finlay set a Freestyle record on Breaststroke in the 5.25 mile open water swim at Lake Coniston in England. A week later he participated in the 10 mile open water Lake Windermere Championship. In the cold water, he became hypo-glycemic and was pulled unconscious at the 7 mile mark. I think I now know what cold water did to the brain of this young teenager!!! Froze him silly!!! Why else would anyone swim long distances in cold water and not always in favorable conditions!!

Bryan returned a year later and completed the Lake Windermere race doing what stroke he does best- Breaststroke!! Two years later in 1963, he returned and this time broke the Lake record for breaststroke with a time that was minutes faster than in 1961.

In 1979, at the age of 35, Bryan returned to Lake Windermere and encountered rough and cold conditions. He completed the race semi-conscious in just under 7 hours. He just never learns does he!!

Bryan then switched gears and decided to become a "sprinter" relatively speaking - in open water swimming, setting a record in the 5 mile breaststroke that has stood for at least 39 years. Up to 2002 it still was standing!! And so is Bryan.

Bryan set Masters World Short-Course 200 m Breaststroke records (2:50.27 and 2:48.22) for the 40-44 age-group between 1986 and 1988.

In 1992 after an aborted attempt of Lake Ontario and several storm related tries of Lake Simcoe, Bryan braved a 15 hour -19 mile heartbreak on Lake Simcoe. He did however triumph the 22 mile Barrie to Orillia Lake Simcoe swim in 21 hours 9 minutes a couple of years later.

Bryan's August 2002 crossing of the English Channel fell short just 800 metres from the French shore due to hypo-glycaemia. He passed out being pulled into the boat.

Bryan's passion for open water swimming has also extended to supporting the sport for others.

Bryan has been associated with Solo Swims of Ontario since 1991 and has been its Treasurer since 1992.

Bryan was the 2004 recipient of the Cliff Lumsdon Award of Solo Swims of Ontario, recognizing his contributions to the organization and his achievements in open water swimming.

Bryan was a member of the MSO Board of Directors for the 1983-85 term and been active on the MSO Rules Committee working with Pat Niblett and Michael Stroud for many years.

Bryan formed the UWO Aquatic Masters in 1978. He has also been the chief cook and bottle washer for the St. Mary's Swim since its inception in 1982 and rallied to get the Ontario Championship designation in 1986.

Having reached the venerable age of 60 a year or so ago, Bryan is now looking for more challenges to conquer. He anticipates being the oldest swimmer to complete the course at St. Mary's before Canada's bi-centennial, assuming Ken Marchant ever decides to retire, and that George Milne runs out of replacement parts.

Making others aware of the sacrifices required and the rewards reaped both in and out of the water, and for his dedication to the sport of Open Water Swimming, the Order of the Soggy Goggle is present to Bryan Finlay on behalf of Masters Swimming Ontario.

May all your journeys be in calm water, may the water temperature be as warm as your compassion, and may you live to reap the rewards of conquering those swims that have eluded you.

September 2005