EVENT DAY INFORMATION

What: A 2.1 km linear swim course across Okanagan Lake. The "soft" time limit for the swim is 120 minutes. We're usually ok if it takes you a little longer, but if the conditions warrant it, after this time we may need to extract you from the lake and give you a free ride to the finish (with no finishing time, of course).

Who: Anyone willing and capable. Feeling anxious? Check out our How To Deal With Swim Anxiety Guide. Those 12 years old and under must have a canoe or kayak escort. Support craft CANNOT launch their boats from the old ferry docks. For the safety of the swimmers please launch from an alternate location; City Park is recommended.

When: Saturday, July 20th, 2024 8:00 AM. The swim starts at 8am but we recommend arriving at City Park no later than 6:30am. You need to get to City Park in time to drop off your stuff at the secure gear corral before your bus ride to the start line. The buses start to leave at 7am.

Where: The start is at the Old Ferry Docks in West Kelowna at the end of Old Ferry Wharf Road. The course runs parallel to the north side of the new bridge and finishes at Hot Sands Beach in City Park. There is no parking at the start line. We will bus you to the start line.

Event Package Pick Up: Pick up event packages from the Fresh Air Kelowna parking lot (1656 Dilworth Drive, Kelowna) from 3-7pm on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 and Friday, July 19th, 2024.

Timing Chip Pick Up: You'll pick up your timing chip at the Event Package Pick Up. It is YOUR responsibility to remember your timing chip on swim day. A replacement fee will be charged for any lost or forgotten timing chips.

Parking: Parking is available in the City Park lot. However, given the number of swimmers and volunteers involved with the event, the lot will likely fill before the start time. There is plenty of parking in the Chapman Parkade on Lawrence Avenue which is only 2 blocks away from City Park, or along the street.

How to Get to the Start: The buses leave from the City Park parking lot near the kid's playground starting at 7:00am. The final bus leaves around 7:20am. If you miss a bus, you will have to make your own way over to the start line in West Kelowna. Get to City Park early enough to drop your gear off at the gear tent and get to your bus.

You CANNOT take anything on the bus that you will not be using during the swim (e.g., shoes, sunglasses, etc.) as we cannot bring these items back for you. There is a gear corral tent available in City Park for all items you don't use during the swim. We will once again have carpets laid down at the start line so that you don't need shoes with you.

Dynamic Start System: We no longer use waves to start the swim. When you get to the start line area, you are free to warm up, meet with friends, and when you are comfortable and ready, you can start your swim. The swim start opens at 8am and your time starts when you cross over the timing mat.

Keep Our Beaches Clean: Please be aware that we have to ask permission from Westbank First Nation each year to use their beach access at the start of the swim, and we are expected to leave the area as clean as we found it, so please do not litter (or dump trash down the port-a-potties). Trash bags are provided on the beach at the start.

We also have to gain permission annually from the City of Kelowna for the use of City Park, and therefore we request that all participants and their supporters be conscientious in their use of City Park, especially as it relates to littering. If we all do our part, the event will continue to be enjoyable and successful for many years to come.