Cheryl Camack Reports: Teen forced to abandon lake crossing

It’s the second time in two years 14-year old marathon swimmer, Natalie Lambert, has had to abandon her goal to reach Toronto shores.

And for the second time as well, Mother Nature is to blame. Last July, Lambert was forced out of the water because of swelling waves, and this year because of thundershowers.

The 52km swim from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto was the same route Lambert attempted last year.

Scheduled to complete the crossing at around 1 a.m Wednesday morning, Lambert was pulled out of the water by 10:30pm, just 8km away from her goal.

“I am so very proud of Natalie. She put her heart and soul into this, but I’m probably more proud because of how well she’s handled the disappointment,” says Vicki Keith, Lambert’s coach.

There’s no word yet on whether or not Lambert will attempt the crossing again.
 
Lambert has successfully crossed Lake Ontario, and is already a double world record holder after becoming the youngest person to complete crossing from Sacket’s Harbour NY to Kingston at record speed.

“Obviously she’s disappointed, but she knows that Lake Ontario will stay there, just like every other body of water she’s aspiring to,” said Keith.