TORONTO — The first Nova Scotian to swim across the English Channel is back on Canadian soil.

Friends and family of Kristin Roe greeted her at Toronto's Pearson International Airport with flowers and signs saying "Congratulations," and waving Canadian and Nova Scotian flags.

The 29-year-old Halifax woman completed her swim in the chilly Channel waters last week.

Roe said she fought powerful tides and battled hunger and dehydration to reach her goal.

"I was sick from about Hour 4 to Hour 10, at least," Roe said.

"I would just feed the fishes and throw up every 20 minutes so I wasn't able to take in any liquid."

The swimmer said the tide kept pushing her to the left, making it difficult to move forward in the water. She spent a gruelling 17 hours swimming in water as cold as 16 C.

Roe completed the swim to raise money and awareness about the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Africa.

About 20 family members were gathered at the airport, some having travelled from as far away as the Netherlands and Vancouver.