Two Vancouver Island women, one with multiple sclerosis, have swum the length of Cowichan Lake, the same distance as the English Channel.

Alex Cape and Susan Simmons set off early Saturday morning, and took 11 hours to complete the 34-kilometre distance.

Simmons, who has MS, says she wants to inspire others with the disease to stay healthy.

"I think if I didn't have MS, I probably wouldn't be doing something like this. I think it was what motivated me to really get fit and healthy," she said.

Simmons, 48, was diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago.