This week, a small charter boat completed a 55-kilometer journey across Lake Huron in just over 29 hours with Toronto marathon swimmer Lev Goldberg, 30, swimming alongside. Goldberg embarked on the journey from Port-Sanilac, Mich., at 6 a.m. on Wednesday and arrived at Ipperwash Beach, Ont., at 11 a.m. on Thursday, battling strong currents towards the end.
Goldberg’s swim is part of his five-year mission to become the first openly transgender swimmer to cross all five Great Lakes, aiming to raise funds for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Having already conquered Lake Ontario last September, this Lake Huron swim is his second achievement towards this goal.
To support LGBT Youthline and cover the swim’s expenses, Goldberg aims to raise $15,000. Expressing his desire to actively contribute to his community, he highlighted the significance of his representation as an openly transgender athlete in these challenging swims.
Rob Kent, the founder of the Lake Ontario Swim Team (L.O.S.T.), commended Goldberg’s progress in marathon swimming despite his relatively recent start in the sport. Kent noted the difficulty of Lake Huron as a swimming destination, especially the route chosen by Goldberg, which spans the lake’s colder and rougher open waters.
Looking ahead, Goldberg plans to swim across Lake Erie, connecting his past in Pennsylvania with his present in Ontario. Expressing concerns over recent transgender rights issues in the U.S., Goldberg emphasized the importance of safeguarding and appreciating the rights enjoyed by the LGBTQ+ community in Canada.