At dawn on Labor Day each year, a large group of hearty souls jumps in the mighty Columbia River and swims the 1.1-mile stretch across to the Port of Cascade Locks. The Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim, attracting hundreds of participants from around the world. On the day of the swim, participants board the famous Sternwheeler paddleboat on the south shore of the Columbia at the Sternwheeler dock in Cascade Locks, OR, and are ferried across the river to the Washington shore. When signaled, swimmers jump off the Sternwheeler into the “refreshing” Columbia and head back for Cascade Locks. To help them find their way, a special swim lane lined with volunteers in sailboats, kayaks and paddleboards are there to guide, encourage, and protect swimmers as they cross the channel. This popular event fills up quickly, so be sure to register early!