For 81 years, swimmers have boarded the famous Sternwheeler paddleboat on the south shore of the Columbia River, at the dock in Cascade Locks, and are ferried to the Washington side of the river. When signaled, swimmers jump off the Sternwheeler into the Columbia and swim an approximately 1.1-mile stretch across to Cascade Locks. To help them find their way, a special swim lane lined with volunteers in sailboats, kayaks, and paddle boards are there to guide, encourage, and protect swimmers as they cross the channel.