Across the Lake Swim
Gellatly Bay

Presented by Gorman Bros. Lumber

August 22nd, 2026

West Kelowna, bc, canada

Picturesque Bay!
Distances
2.5km
5km
Route
Loop
Loop
Avg Water Temp
22°C

  • Details

    Gorman Bros-LogoWe are excited to bring to you this swim in beautiful Gellatly Bay in West Kelowna, BC, presented by Gorman Bros. Lumber.

    The swim features a choice of two distances, either 2.5KM or 5KM, in a stunning swimming area in Okanagan Lake, West Kelowna.

    Gellatly Bay is an incredibly scenic swimming spot, with a wide pedestrian pathway that follows the swim route on the final legs.

    Gear Dropoff: The gear tent is at Willow Beach. Just put your stuff in a bag and drop it off. We’ll tag and watch over it until you finish your swim!

    Support Craft: If you have a support craft with you, please have them sign the waiver. You can share this link so they can sign online: https://acrossthelakeswim.com/paddler-waiver

    Please note Swim Buddy inflatable personal floats are required for both distances. We will supply one for you n/c or you use your own.

  • Sponsors

    Title

    Gorman Bros. Lumber

    Official Goggle

    Vorgee

    Supporter

    Nesters Food Market

  • Course

    2.5km:

    5km:

  • Schedule

    DateStart TimeEnd TimeEventPlace
    Sat, Aug 226:00 am6:45 amShuttle Leaves to Willow BeachTim Horton's parking lot in the Westbank Shopping Centre
    Sat, Aug 226:00 am6:45 amPackage PickupWillow Beach, West Kelowna
    Sat, Aug 227:00 am5km Swim StartWillow Beach, West Kelowna
    Sat, Aug 227:30 am2.5km Swim StartWillow Beach, West Kelowna
    Sat, Aug 229:00 amShuttle leaves to Tim Horton's parking lotWillow Beach, West Kelowna

    Times are subject to change.

  • Package Pickup

    Event package pickup is in the morning before the swim from 6-6:45AM at the Start Line at Willow Beach in West Kelowna.

    You will pick up your timing chip the morning of the swim when you pick up your package. You must place your timing chip on your ankle outside of your wetsuit.

  • Updates

    • Gorman Bros. New Gellatly Bay Title Sponsor

      We're excited to welcome Gorman Bros. Lumber as the Title Sponsor for the Across the Lake Swim Gellatly Bay!

      View

    • Registration for 2024 is OPEN!

      We are excited to be back for 2024! After cancelling the swim in 2023 due to wildfires, we are looking forward to welcoming all 2023 swimmers back, as well as new swimmers looking to swim this beautiful course.

      View

    • 2023 Gellatly Bay Swim Cancelled

      Due to the ongoing wildfires in the Okanagan region...

      View

  • FAQ

    No, you can only drop off the support craft the morning of the swim (except for Kelowna).

    Yes and no. There are public washrooms at the Finish Line but no showers. There is an outdoor shower at the Kelowna finish line.

    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 4km 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.

    The water temperature averages 19-21C on swim day. In 2013 we had a very warm summer which resulted in a record 23C temp!

    Yes, there are light snacks and drinks after the event. Typically cookies, bagels, bananas, oranges, water, coffee and juice boxes. (subject to change)

    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.

    In the unlikely event of a serious emergency, many support paddlers may not have the experience, or the upper body strength to hold their swimmer until a powerboat or lifeguard arrives, especially since they’re also trying to signal for help at the same time. The Swim Buddy provides enough flotation to keep a swimmer supported if they hold on to it, and it’s much easier to manage than trying to keep someone afloat using 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.

    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.

    No, there is no parking available at the start line.

    Also check out our general FAQ's here

  • Parking

    There is very limited parking at Gellatly Bay. Therefore, included in your registration is a free shuttle to and from the parking lot near the Tim Horton’s in the Westbank Shopping Centre (between Gosset Rd & Bering Rd) to Willow Beach.

    The shuttle starts leaving at 6am and will do several round trips. After your swim, it will bring you back to the parking lot.

  • Results

    2025
    2024
    2022
    2019

  • Photos

    Coming Soon!
Across the Lake Swim Gellatly Bay is located on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people.

Water
Temp

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Build Confidence with Our New Coaching!

December 13, 2025

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  • 4 lessons
  • Limited spaces
  • At Gyro Beach in Kelowna
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  • One on one coaching available

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  • Small group of 3 swimmers
  • 1 hour minimum lessons
  • 4 lessons
  • Video analysis
  • Limited spaces
  • At Gyro Beach in Kelowna
  • Starts June 14th, 2026
  • One on one coaching available

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Learn More About Coaching