Stark’s swim across ferry route stopped at Lopez

Orcas Islander Damien Stark’s effort to swim the 19.5 mile route from Anacortes to Friday Harbor to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Treatment Support Mission Project, started off on Saturday, July 26 with a unexpectedly calm crossing of Rosario Strait, after what has been a windy week in the San Juan Islands. But as he approached Lopez, the tide turned against him, and supporters stopped his efforts at Lopez Island.

Damien Stark, exhausted, called off the remainder of the course on Sunday, July 27.

The journey began with three support vessels and a team – consisting of boat captains, observers, an EMT Mark Van Maren, and a photographer (all volunteers) in addition to Stark – heading to the mainland Friday in preparation for the early departure time the following morning.

The swim started with Stark crossing Rosario Strait. The biggest concern, besides Stark catching hypothermia in the 55-degree water, was boat/tanker traffic along this route, as well as choppy seas and high wind. However, conditions were perfect and Stark crossed the Strait ahead of schedule by one hour. Before entering Thatcher Pass, the entourage encountered several pods of orcas which passed within 100 feet of the swimmer and boats.

The low temperature of the water caused Stark’s core temperature to drop, despite wearing a cold water wetsuit, hood, insulated booties and gloves. Several times it was decided he needed to be pulled from the water and taken onboard to warm up. After ten hours, with the Lopez ferry terminal in sight, and having heroically swum almost seven miles, the group decided for Stark’s health he needed to stop for the day.

On Sunday morning, Stark made the decision to end the effort, as exhaustion from his Herculean efforts on Saturday made it medically unwise to continue, according to spokesperson Jen Vollmer. She and others had accompanied Stark on the swim in a boat, monitoring his progress. (To read Vollmer’s account of the crossing, click here.)

Stark’s effort was for the purpose of supporting the San Juan County Health and Community Service that provides travel support to San Juan County residents traveling to the mainland for diagnostic or treatment services.

To learn more or donate to the cause, go to www.breastcancerswim.com or call 298-2232.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.