Jill Yoneda’s Swim for Courage Across the Georgia Strait
Support Jill’s incredible journey and help make a difference in the lives of children and families at Canuck Place by donating to her fundraiser!
On August 9, Jill will take on her third Swim for Courage, aiming to conquer a record-breaking 60 hour 109km swim across the Georgia Strait to raise funds for Canuck Place. Six years ago, Jill swam an astounding 76km across the Georgia Strait and back, raising $16,000 for our children and families. It was not an easy swim as she battled strong currents, unpredictable weather, and the physical toll of swimming such a long distance. At one point during the swim, Jill swam without moving for 3 hours due to strong sea currents.
This time, her swim is not just a test of physical endurance, it is also a tribute to her late cousin, Joshua, who passed away after he was diagnosed with cancer of the spinal cord. He was one of her biggest cheerleaders during her last swim for Canuck Place, and she will be holding on to that support when she hits the water this August.
Jill has also faced her own personal medical challenges, including multiple surgeries, a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease, and an accident that had her using a leg brace for an extended period of time. These experiences have strengthened her resolve to support the children and families we care for.
Reflecting on her past experience, Jill notes that the key lesson for her was the power of mental fortitude. Her endurance to stay focused through pain comes from decades of competitive swimming, including her time on the Canadian Freediving Team in 2006, 2008 and 2012, and she will be drawing from this again to push herself even farther.
Jill’s preparation for this swim involves not only physical training but also mental and emotional readiness. With the unpredictable conditions at sea, her ability to remain focused and calm is important for success. She has been on an intense training plan to map out her swim route and acclimatize herself to the high winds and waves that she is likely to encounter on August 9. The logistics of the swim are complex, requiring careful planning and coordination with her boat crew.
Her family, friends and community have been a pillar of strength and support through her journey, offering words of encouragement while also donating to and amplifying her fundraiser and its impact on children and families in need.
As she prepares for this life-changing adventure, Jill is calling on the community to join her in this great cause to support compassionate care for those who need it most. Canuck Place provides pediatric palliative care for over 921 children and families across BC and the Yukon. Our services include in-hospice medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-hour clinical care line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care, ensuring that families in underserved areas can also access the crucial support that they need. We support the whole family, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children and their loved ones to ensure that they receive holistic care tailored to their specific needs.
We rely on community support to provide this care, with 60% of our funding coming from our generous donors.
Cheer on Jill on her Swim for Courage by donating to her fundraiser to create waves of change at Canuck Place. Every dollar given makes a difference in the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.
We welcome you to join us at Jericho Beach on Sunday, August 11 to welcome Jill and her crew back to shore and celebrate her incredible achievement.
Jill Yoneda Swims the Georgia Strait in Support of Canuck Place
In 2018, Jill COMPLETED the first ever double crossing swim across the Georgia Strait in 25 hours and swam a total distance of 80 km.
Jill Yoneda is a 43-year old competitive swimmer from Victoria.
On August 3rd, she’ll undertake the first double crossing swim across the Georgia Strait as she swims 70 km from Nanaimo to Sechelt and back – all in support of Canuck Place.
Jill’s goal is to raise $15,000 for Canuck Place.
Jill grew up training with swim clubs and became a competitive swimmer at a young age.
“I loved the smell of chlorine, the laughter that echoed off the walls of the pool, and the splashing and noisy bubbles the water would make,” said Jill.
In 2002, Jill was introduced to scuba diving and quickly became captivated by this new underwater activity.
But her life changed when she suffered a type 2 decompression accident in 2004. Doctors discovered a hole in her heart, which meant she could never scuba dive again.
Undefeated, Jill decided to explore free-diving as an alternative.
Jill has also been diagnosed with a degenerative disc disease, compartment syndrome, and a rare condition called Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.
These have all led to over 15 surgeries and two spinal disc implants.
Today, Jill has held three national records in the extreme sport of freediving and has even been a member of Team Canada.
Her determination to remain active and continue living her passion is inspirational.
“Even after suffering an accident that left me without the full use of one my legs and confined to a brace,” said Jill, “swimming made me feel whole.”
Use the campaign hashtag #SwimForCourage and follow Jill’s journey on Instagram @jillyoneda