The Ironman Canada Lake Monster - Ogopogo.

Took a swim this morning - water was rough. Lake rough, not ocean rough - but it still threw me around a bit.

When you're out there and the lake water gets deep, and you can not see save a weed or two that reaches up, you remember that they have never found the bottom of this lake, and when you swim into things like small leaves or even an empty potato chip bag, you're reminded of the legend of the lake monster, Ogopogo.

I poked around on the internet and found this posting. Interesting stuff.

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Ogopogo, Real or Myth?
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Posting by Don Haaheim
"Over the years, many large unidentified sea creatures have washed up on ocean shores throughout the world. Certain fresh water bodies have also gained a reputation for containing sizable creatures often described as more prehistoric than anything else! The Lake Champlain monster is one example and of course "Nessie" of Scotland's Loch Ness is affectionately known around the world.

Canada's most famous water monster is Ogopogo of Lake Okanagan in the south central interior of British Columbia. Although Indian legends support a monster living in Okanagan Lake long before white men arrived in this country, Ogopogo is very much a present day phenomenon. Each year, sightings are reported of a creature some 20 to 50 feet long, with a horse shaped head and an undulating serpent like body! Okanagan Lake is about 80 miles long extending from Vernon at the north end to Penticton in the south with the fast growing city of Kelowna in the center. Sightings have been reported throughout the length of the lake but the monster appears to favour an area just south of Kelowna in waters near Peachland. The first recorded sighting by a caucasion was by Mrs. John Allison in 1872 and such instances have continued to this day with many credible, rational and sober people becoming absolute believers. Indian folklore specifically places the lair of the lake monster at a cave under Squally Point near Rattlesnake Island which is offshore from Peachland.

The Indians would never paddle a canoe near this area without an offering because too often a storm would spring up and rise out of the waters to claim another life! When white settlers first came to this area in the mid 1800s, they were not superstitious but gradually changed their views with ongoing sightings of the monster. An early instance tells of two horses swimming behind a boat that were mysteriously pulled beneath the waves and the owner barely saving himself by cutting the rope attached to the horses! Today's sightings, often from modern power boats, indicate a much friendlier monster but still very large in size. It has been filmed a number of times but other than people agreeing there was something in the water, no absolute conclusions have been made. It is usually reported as dark blue, black or brown with a lighter underside. It can move with astounding speed but many sightings in calm weather have been made of the creature apparently feeding on either fish or aquatic weeds. People very close, between 50 and 100 feet, report seeing fins or feet on the animal. A figment of the imagination you say? Not according to several authors who have investigated dozens of sightings over the years and interviewed many, many people.

For more information, try the book "Ogopogo" by Arlene Gaal or "The Okanagan Mystery" by Mary Moon. Oh yes, am I a believer? You bet! I haven't been fortunate to have seen Ogopogo in the 10 years that I have lived in the Okanagan but I know people who have! I do follow an exercise routine most mornings by climbing up Knox Mountain which is immediately behind my house. At the top is a great viewpoint site, a gazebo built by the Kelowna City Parks department that offers an inspiring view of not only the city and the floating bridge, but miles and miles both up and down the lake. I am ever hopeful that one day I will see that wave disturbance in calm waters typical of countless past Ogopogo sightings! We also intend to let you know of any future sightings as they are reported in the valley news media so keep on the lookout with us!"
-Posting by Don Haaheim
Your comments are welcome at dhaaheim@direct.ca

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