In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.
Who is Sarah Dobbin?
Sarah Dobbin is a federal housing policy analyst by trade, an avid potter and a trailblazing marathon swimmer.
What’s her background?
Dobbin remembers learning to swim before she could walk. She raced for Carleton University’s swim team, but a shoulder injury forced her away from indoor swimming.
Her love for swimming in Ontario’s lakes and rivers took on new meaning when Dobbin discovered that open water swimming was a legitimate sport. “I’ve always thought that I could swim all day, so I’ve been marathon swimming for three years now,” said Dobbin in an interview with Capital Current.
What is she known for in Ottawa?
On Aug. 21, the 50-year-old completed the first 50-kilometre marathon in the Ottawa River, following the rules of the Marathon Swimmers Federation. In an interview with CTV, Dobbin said the swim took just under 16 hours, including stops every 30-to-35 minutes to refuel. “Time gets really weird and elastic,” said Dobbin, describing her swim. “Sometimes three hours will go by and it seems like four minutes.”
Dobbin’s decision to swim in the Ottawa River and raise funds for the Ottawa Riverkeeper was a natural choice. “I have a great reverence for the river,” said Dobbin. “I wanted to do something significant to really bring attention to it.” She raised more than double her original goal with a current total of $12,961 for the Riverkeeper’s efforts to maintain the health of the river, and in turn, that of the people and wildlife that use it.
What do people say about her?
When Dobbin announced her plan, the most common reaction from friends and swimming partners was “that’s a huge goal, go for it,” said Dobbin.
In an interview with CBC the day of the marathon, Ottawa Riverkeeper CEO Laura Reinsborough highlighted Dobbin’s commitment to raising awareness about protecting the river. “She’s making a huge impact today,” Reinsborough told CBC.
What’s a little known fact about her?
Twice, the marathon swimmer has attended Burning Man, a week-long community and arts-focused festival in Nevada. Dobbin built and decorated her own camp where she invited her artist and musician friends to perform shows. “It was like being in a Salvador Dali painting for a week,” said Dobbin. “Anything that you could imagine and never imagined imagining went on.”
