It was all smiles on Lake Nepahwin Sunday as swimmers flocked to Laurentian Beach to take part in the 32nd annual Ian McCloy Island swim.

Named in honour of Ian McCloy, a former organizer and member of the Laurentian Masters Swim Club who passed away suddenly in 2003, roughly 70 swimmers came out to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Swimmers had the option of taking part in the 500 metre, 1.6 kilometre or 3.2 km race.

"As with a lot of our events this is definitely a fun run type of thing for a lot of people, there is also draw prizes and actual prizes at the end but bragging rights is definitely a big part of it for sure," said Casey Crowe, coordinator for the Sudbury Fitness Challenge. "A lot of people end up knowing each other, they’re tight friends. It’s nice because we see each other quite often throughout the year, so we like to see that everyone is doing well."

The swim was event number four of seven in the Fitness Challenge.

McCloy’s 90-year-old mother, Mary, made the trip to Sudbury from Newfoundland to take in the event.

"It means a lot, very much so, and of course being able to come at my age and see the family involved too, so it’s very good I think and people are very nice and helpful," she said.

"It wasn’t as bad as I expected, but we did have to train. I’ve never done open water swimming in my life," said Susan Dittus, who made the trip in from Boise, Idaho. "It was just really, really fun. I think I found a new sport."

Dittus says she wasn’t competing; the event in her eyes was a personal accomplishment to see if she could do it.

Jordan Hotta, who signed up with his sister, won the 3.2km race.

“(It) feels really good. Once a year I come and do the island swim, just kind of make sure I still have it. I was a competitive swimmer my whole life, so it’s kind of a nice way to check in and it’s always a beautiful event,” he said.  

“For me, because I’m 58 going on 59, there’s a few of us 'grey hairs' around here. It’s kind of like checkmarks on a box. I often characterize it as just staying ahead of the odometer that is reality,” said Darren Kleven, another recreational swimmer.

In the end, most participants told CTV News it was about the accomplishment, finishing a task that’s beyond most recreational swimmers.