For many young swimmers, the most challenging part of an open-water swim is navigating the route.  

The water can become a chilly, dark and endless abyss, and buoys or markers can be hard to discern, especially when waves drift and goggles fog up. 

It’s one of the reasons why The Wave’s annual Swim the Fish event on Whitefish Lake has a requirement for swimmers under 12 to participate: having an “angel swimmer,” an older swimmer, a parent or volunteer, to accompany them and ensure they have a safe and enjoyable swim.  

“Well, once I went off course a little bit, and my angel swimmer directed me back,” said 10-year-old Eloise Jacobs, who finished her ½ mile swim on Saturday in 30:40.  

The hardest part of the out-and-back course was going out, Jacobs said, because she kept swallowing water in the waves. Not surprisingly, her favorite part was then turning around and heading back to City Beach, she said.  

Angel swimmers aren’t limited to youngsters, though. Sam Neff, 89, was the oldest swimmer to participate in the event, and has had angel swimmers before. A regular swimmer and skier, Neff finished his virtual 1-mile swim in 56:60.  

Lou Albershardt, 65, was Jacob’s angel swimmer for the day. Albershardt said angel swimmers are a great way to introduce and welcome young swimmers to the sport of open water, ultimately helping to grow the sport.  

After guiding Eloise, Albershardt completed her own 5k, finishing in 1:33.33.  

The Brisbois family from Whitefish all completed the half-mile swim. Guided by Matt and Francesca, three Brisbois kids, two 9-year-olds and one 7-year-old, were the youngest to participate in the event.  

The fastest swimmer of the day was Kelsey Evans, who was first amongst women and men in the 5k in 1:16:58. Price Richardson was the first finisher in the mile in 28:59. Quinten Babcock, 13, from Columbia Falls was the first finisher in the ½ mile in 16:45.  

All told, 159 swimmers from 21 states participated in the eighth annual event Saturday, each contributing to The Wave’s scholarship programming, including the Membership Assistance Program and the School-to-Pool swim lesson program.