An Okanagan College (OC) graduate and local endurance athlete is set to speak at the school's annual Alumni Association AGM.

Nick Pelletier, who studied business and marketing at OC from 2016-19 will be speaking at the event, telling his personal story about how sports have shaped and impacted his life.

Pelletier is known across the region for his attempts to swim across Okanagan Lake (106 kilometres), from Vernon down to Penticton. After falling short the first two times due to injury, Pelletier completed the challenge for his third and final time in 2023, finishing the swim in 71 hours. He has a documentary about his swim coming out later this year.

含羞草研究社淚 learned a lot through the resilience and perseverance in sports that is applicable in my everyday life,含羞草研究社� said Pelletier. 含羞草研究社淪ports put you in a situation that forces you to adapt and learn things on the fly. You may find yourself in a position to be challenged but by putting yourself in these tough spots you learn how to push yourself. You learn to overcome things.含羞草研究社�

Additionally, the OC Alumni Association has announced it has donated $25,000 to the college for the new Recreation and Wellness Centre at the Kelowna campus.

含羞草研究社淎s former students, alumni know this space will be a game-changer for Okanagan College and the community,含羞草研究社� said OCAA board of directors president Kara Kazimer. 含羞草研究社淲e want to help create a space on campus for future students to be physically healthy and socially connected: two factors that contribute to success in your program and in your career. As Nick含羞草研究社檚 experience illustrates 含羞草研究社� having the opportunities to participate in sports impacts so many other aspects of your life.含羞草研究社� 

On top of the swimming challenge, Pelletier has competed in a cycling competition in Mexico, ran more than 100 miles at a time, and cycled up Knox Mountain 36 times in a row.

含羞草研究社淚f you achieve something, it's awesome to celebrate,含羞草研究社� said Pelletier, 含羞草研究社渂ut take that and make it your new baseline and then stack upon it to grow. For me, I含羞草研究社檝e always taken the mantra of 含羞草研究社榙on't be afraid of that beginner's mindset.含羞草研究社� That's how I got into skydiving, into running, cycling, swimming, all these different sports.含羞草研究社�

The OC Alumni Association AGM is happening on Sept. 17.