Across the Lake Swim
Rattlesnake Island
August 3, 2024
Peachland, bc, canada
- Details
- Sponsors
- Course
- Schedule
- Package Pickup
- Updates
- FAQ
- Parking
- Results
- Photos
- Details
Details
The Across the Lake Swim Rattlesnake Island is a 4km and 7km challenging swim across pristine Okanagan Lake in historic Peachland, BC, Canada.
In 2014, the Rattlesnake Island swim became an Across the Lake Swim event, after taking over organizing the event from the District of Peachland, BC.
The 7km participants MUST HAVE A PADDLER – swimmers will not be allowed to swim without one. If you cannot find a paddler, or your paddler fails to appear, you will NOT be able to swim. We cannot provide you with a support paddler or a support craft, but we can help you find one.
The 7KM out-and-back swim to and around Rattlesnake Island starts at approximately 7AM from the shores of Swim Bay in Peachland near the yacht club.
The 4KM swim begins at approximately 7:45AM, from the shore just past Rattlesnake Island. 4KM swimmers will be transported at approximately 6:45AM from the boat landing near the yacht club.
All swimmers will be required to use a Swim Buddy (supplied for you n/c or you can use your own), a safety device that you can learn more about here.
All registrants are encouraged to attend the free Fresh Air Open Water Swim training clinics put on by the Interior Savings Across the Lake Swim Kelowna for 5 consecutive Saturdays, starting in early June at the Boyce-Gyro Beach Swim Loop in Kelowna.
4km Distance
You must be on the boats no later than 6:45am. The boats will not wait for late swimmers. The boats load at the 8th street public boat launch (on your left when facing Swim Bay).
If you have a support paddler, they need to be at the shore near Rattlesnake Island no later than 7:45am. Support paddlers need to give themselves plenty of time to paddle over, as the swim will not be delayed waiting for them.
7km Distance
You and your support boat must be at the start at Swim Bay in Peachland, no later than 6:45am. If your support boat is late (or does not show) you cannot swim. Support paddlers are required for the 7km swim. Getting a support person and support craft is the swimmer’s responsibility. We cannot supply you with a support person or support craft but can help you find one. Swim Buddy’s are required for the swim. We will supply one n/c to you or you can use your own.
All Swimmers
All swimmers must use a Swim Buddy during the swim. We will provide it to you free of charge and will need to be returned after your swim. You will pick up your Swim Buddy at race package pick up. Take it with you on the ferry and to Swim Bay. You will need to inflate the Swim Buddy and adjust the waist belt so that it is comfortable for you.
Your timing chip must be placed on YOUR ANKLE. Before you go to get on the boats (3.1 km swimmers) or go to the water (7km swimmers) you MUST walk across the timing chip mat, which will activate your chip for the event. The mat is on the sidewalk at Swim Bay to the right of the washrooms. Once you cross this mat, we assume you to be getting in the water to swim. If you decide not to swim, you MUST contact one of the volunteers to let them know.
If you have a support person, make sure you and your support person understand where and where not to go. It is your responsibility to ensure that your support person is competent to support you, and that your Support Person Waiver is signed and submitted to us at package pickup. No waiver = no support kayak/canoe/SUP on the course.
In order to ensure swimmer safety, there is a time cut-off for both the 4km and 7km swims. For the 4km swim you will have 2.5 hours and for the 7km swim you will have 3.5hours to finish. If you are far from finishing at these times, a support boat will come to pick you up and take you to the finish.
- Sponsors
Sponsors
Title
Official Goggle
Supporter
- Course
Course
1.5km:
4km:
7.1km:
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 3 | 6:00 am | 6:45 am | Package Pickup | Swim Bay, Peachland, B.C. |
| Sat, Aug 3 | 6:45 am | 3.1km participants boats depart for start area | Boat launch, Swim Bay, Peachland, B.C. | |
| Sat, Aug 3 | 7:00 am | 7km swim start | Swim Bay, Peachland, B.C. | |
| Sat, Aug 3 | 7:45 am | 3.1km swim start | Rattlesnake Island, Okanagan Mountain Park, B.C. | |
| Sat, Aug 3 | 7:30 am | 1.5km swim start | Swim Bay, Peachland, B.C. |
Times are subject to change.
Package Pickup
Event packages will be available for pickup the morning of the swim between 6-6:45AM, at the start area at Swim Bay in Peachland, BC. where you will pick up both your swim cap and timing chip.
Your swim cap is numbered and your timing chip is matched to your cap, so please do not exchange them with anyone else. Don’t forget your goggles and your wetsuit either!
Any extra gear, such as dry clothes/shoes, can be dropped off at the Gear Tent and we’ll watch over it until you finish your swim.
Updates
New! 1.5km Distance Added to Rattlesnake Island
We are happy to announce the addition of a highly requested 1.5km distance!
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FAQ
Are there change rooms and showers available for after the swim?
Yes and no. There are public washrooms at the Finish Line but no showers. There is an outdoor shower at the Kelowna finish line.
Is a Support Paddler required?
Interior Savings Across the Lake Swim Kelowna a support paddler is not required.
Kal Lake: Support paddlers are not required for either distance.
Cultus Lake: Support paddlers are not required for either distance.
Gellatly Bay: Support paddlers are not required for either distance.
Skaha Lake: Support paddlers are required for the 11.8km distance, but not for the 4.5km distance.
Rattlesnake Island: Support paddlers are required for the 7km distance, but are not required for the 1.5km or 3km distances.
However, each junior swimmer (10 years & under) MUST be accompanied by a support craft if they are swimming alone and not accompanied by an adult swimmer.
Know your limitations. You should be able to swim 1000-2000 meters comfortably with or without the aid of a wetsuit.
Are there cut-off swim times for the events?
Yes. Due to increased boat activity on the lake in the later morning and increased risk of hypothermia and dehydration the longer swimmers are in the water we are instituting cut-off times for both the 3.1km and 7km swim.
The 3.1 km swimmers will have 2 & 1/2 hours to complete their swim.
The 7km swimmers will have 3 & 1/2 hours to complete their swim.
Is there food after the event?
Yes, there are light snacks and drinks after the event. Typically cookies, bagels, bananas, oranges, water, coffee and juice boxes. (subject to change)
Why Use a Swim Buddy?
The Swim Buddy is simply a safety tool which makes swimmers much more visible in the water. This is important as swimmers can get quite spread apart and this allows our safety patrol and other boaters who are on the lake at the time a better chance to spot swimmers.
With the potential for high wind and waves, several support paddlers may need to be rescued themselves (It has happened in previous years)! When a support person goes over, the swimmer is now left vulnerable or trying to help their support person get back in their craft. Now 2 people are in the water and potentially not visible to our safety crew and other boats. Also, when a support person goes over, naturally other support people go to help them (as they should) but that now leaves other swimmers alone and more vulnerable.
Finally, should, god forbid, anything really serious happen out there, many support boaters don’t have the experience, or sometimes the upper body strength to hold on to their swimmers until a powerboat/lifeguard can arrive, especially as they will try to both signal the power boats while helping their swimmer. The Swim Buddy has enough floatation that it will keep a swimmer’s body up if they hold on to it (which is easier than trying to hold on to a kayak or canoe).
The Swim Buddy does not add any extra drag, and you won’t even notice it behind you.
Ultimately, we want everyone to have fun and successful swims, but swimmer safety is of utmost importance.
I have my own Swim Buddy. Do I get a discount?
Since we are not charging for their use, using your own will not get you a discount.
Is there a gear check?
Yes, the gear check opens early in the morning so you can drop off your items. Be sure to put them in a bag so we can tag it for you to pick up at the end of your swim.
Parking
Parking is available on the street and across from Swim Bay at the Community Centre.
