The 31st annual Long Bridge Swim drew a record turnout Saturday, with 754 finishers completing the 1.76-mile crossing of Lake Pend Oreille in Bonner County. The event, which supports water safety training and swim lessons throughout Bonner and Boundary counties, attracted approximately 900 registrants—the highest number in the swim’s history.
Owen Bennett, a 17-year-old from Lake City High School, claimed the overall title with a winning time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds. His brother Trace, also from Lake City High School and just 14 years old, finished mere seconds behind in second place with a time of 35:21. The brothers were separated by only three seconds—a testament to their competitive spirit and shared training.
Owen said the grueling course proved challenging but rewarding. “It’s painful the whole way, but it’s fun though. I think we were both pushing each other, feeding off each other… I’m so happy,” he stated after crossing the finish line at Dog Beach in Sandpoint. For Owen, the victory marked his second overall title. Both brothers were making their third attempt at the event.
Top Finishers Across Categories
Joshua Jackson, a 14-year-old from Sandpoint, rounded out the top three overall finishers with a time of 38:47. Zoe Froh of British Columbia earned the female overall title with a time of 41:23, finishing fourth in the complete standings.
Sawyer Kissell, a recent Cheney High graduate, won the male 15-19 age group with a time of 40:15. Josh Burt of Sandpoint placed sixth overall and claimed first in the male 45-49 category with a finishing time of 40:54. Emily Renzini, head coach of the Sandpoint Sharks, won the female 30-34 group with a time of 45:18, while Myelle Jensen, also representing the Sandpoint Sharks, took first in the female 13-14 division at 44:54.
Event’s Mission and Community Impact
The Long Bridge Swim serves a vital community purpose beyond competition. Proceeds support water safety education and swim instruction for residents across Bonner and Boundary counties, helping ensure that children and adults develop essential aquatic skills.
Lucy West, who has been instrumental in the event’s organization for 13 years, emphasized the life-saving mission at the heart of the swim. “This event helps save lives; that is the goal,” she said. The annual gathering has become a hallmark of summer activity in the North Idaho Panhandle, drawing swimmers of all ages and ability levels to test themselves in one of the region’s most recognizable natural landmarks.
The event’s timing this year carried added significance. The Idaho Department of Transportation had closed the Long Bridge in early June for maintenance work, reopening it approximately one month later. The successful hosting of the swim demonstrated the bridge’s return to full operation and its continued importance as a community gathering point.
With record registration numbers and strong participation across multiple age groups and skill levels, the 31st Long Bridge Swim underscored the event’s enduring appeal and its role in promoting water safety and fitness in Bonner County. The close finish between the Bennett brothers, combined with competitive performances from younger swimmers like Joshua Jackson and Myelle Jensen, suggests the event will continue to attract dedicated swimmers for years to come.
For more information about water safety programs and future swimming events in the region, residents can learn about volunteer efforts supporting local aquatic initiatives or explore other community events happening throughout Sandpoint and Bonner County.