P.E.I. siblings set to take part in Sunday's Big Swim

A brother and sister team from P.E.I. are taking part in the Big Swim this weekend a 14-kilometre swim across the Northumberland Strait from Cape Jourimain, N.B., to Borden-Carlton, P.E.I.

I think I'm pretty prepared for it. I'm looking forward to touching sand on the other side.- Lauren Hardy

Lauren Hardy who is formerly of New Havennow but lives in Shelburne, N.S. will be one of 62 swimmers attempting to cross the Strait on Sunday while her brother Devin kayaks alongside her.

Hardy is an experienced competitive swimmer, but said she's never done a distance swim.

"I'm just nervous to see how my body and I guess my mind will react. I hear it's a pretty big mental game. You know, a lot of people break down when they're out there and the waves are crashing and it's hard to breathe," said Hardy.

"So I'm just hoping for a nice day. I mean I don't care if it's sunny or rainy cause I'm wet anyways, but as long as there's not too many waves and currents pulling me around, I think I'm pretty prepared for it. I'm looking forward to touching sand on the other side."

'In the water my whole life'

The swim is expected to take over three hours depending on the swimmer.

It's organized by the volunteer organization GivetoLive. Money raised from the event will go to Brigadoon Village, a camp in Nova Scotia for children, youth and families living with chronic illness or special needs.

Hardy said doing the swim is a personal challenge, as well as a chance to help raise funds to send kids to camp.

"I've been in water my whole life so I feel comfortable there," she said.

"[I've] never done a long distance swim but Devin came down to Shelburne two weeks ago I guess and we did a 10K in the harbour which was a good confidence boost."

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