NEWPORT — Caroline Block, a 40-year-old open water swimmer from Alexandria, Virginia, successfully completed a 25-mile swim across Lake Memphremagog on June 17, 2024. Block’s swim, which began at the Newport City Dock at 12:03 a.m. and ended at Parc de la Baie-de-Magog in Quebec at 5:26 p.m., marks the earliest crossing of Lake Memphremagog in history.
Block completed the swim in 17 hours and 23 minutes, maintaining a steady pace of about 1.5 mph and 46 strokes per minute throughout. The water temperature ranged from 65 to 67°F, with air temperatures between 54 and 75°F. Winds were generally 3 to 12 MPH from the south-southeast under cloudy skies.
The swim was conducted in full compliance with traditional channel crossing rules as published by the Marathon Swimmers Federation and has been ratified by the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association.
Block’s accomplishment adds to her impressive resume, which includes crossings of the English Channel, swims around Manhattan Island, three Santa Barbara Channel crossings, and four North Channel crossings. In 2022, she was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer.
The swim also served as a training opportunity for a growing group of Memphre Escort Boat Pilots, made possible by a VOREC grant obtained by Newport City Downtown Development Corporation. These pilots will be available for 14 more Memphre Swims scheduled this summer.
Block’s next goal is to complete the Triple Crown of Lake Monster Swims, which includes crossings of Loch Ness and Lake Tahoe in addition to Lake Memphremagog.
The swim was celebrated with the signing of Block’s nameplates and a breakfast at The Brown Cow, followed by the recording of her swim on the ceiling above the bar at Jasper’s Tavern.
