Loop the Lake 2025: Life Redesign in Motion
September 9, 2025, was a sunny day in Lake Country, BC, with clear skies and calm water. Perfect weather for this year’s Loop the Lake event. Everyone at CONNECT Lake Country was ready. The people supported by CONNECT and the coaching team had spent months making sure every detail was in place.
Before the event, Independence Coach Karin Schmidt led a final meeting with the team to go over the plan: Drop-off and pick-up points, baton exchanges, who was racing with whom, and when to take breaks. Every piece of adaptive equipment, from bikes and canoes to wheelchairs, was checked and ready to go.
“It gets them out, makes them feel like they have purpose. It’s something to look forward to, motivation to keep doing things,” said Melissa, one of the Life Redesign Coaches who has worked at CONNECT for 15 years. That sense of purpose and progress is what drives both the staff and the people supported by CONNECT to return each year.
The marathon kicked off bright and early. The 18-kilometer course was filled with energy and excitement. Richie Harden, one of the people supported by CONNECT Lake Country, started things off on his bike. Coaches rode alongside him until they reached the entry point at Bottom Wood Lake, where he passed the baton to another participant joined by Carly Moore, one of CONNECT’s Service Resource Coaches.
From there, the canoe leg began. The water was calm, and everything moved smoothly. While the canoe made its way across the lake, Karin and the rest of the coaches cycled to meet at the next baton exchange point. After the handover from the canoe, individuals who were walking or using wheelchairs began their section of the marathon. There was laughter, conversation, and plenty of sunshine, the kind of day that makes you forget it’s even a marathon.
“It’s part creative outlet, part stimulating activity, and part encouragement that people can do more than they might think,” said Karin, reflecting on the philosophy behind the event. For her, Loop the Lake is more than an outdoor challenge. It’s a reminder of how confidence and creativity can help people push their limits in a supportive way.
Around the 12 km mark, everyone paused for a break. Coaches handed out mixed fruit skewers, protein bars, and vitamin water. Some even took a quick swim in the lake to cool off before getting ready for the final stretch, the last cycling leg before the final baton handoff.
The event wrapped up with Melissa taking on the last section. With her coaches beside her, she made her way to the finish line while everyone cheered her on. “We’re not competing against each other, we’re completing this task together,” said Karin, describing the teamwork and encouragement that carried the group through to the end. The energy at the finish line was light, positive, and full of shared pride.
Afterwards, everyone gathered in the garden for lunch. It was a relaxed, happy ending to a long, active morning. Smiles, laughter, and a quiet sense of accomplishment filled the space. Proof that all the planning, coordination, and teamwork had paid off.
“Every year, the residents are proud of what they’ve accomplished, the skills they’ve built, the progress they can show their family and friends,” said Samantha, CONNECT’s Play Coach who helped organize this year’s event with the rest of the committee.
Loop the Lake 2025 was more than just a community event. It was a reminder of what the Life Redesign Plan looks like in motion, when dedication, support, and a bit of sunshine come together to make something truly meaningful.