Across the Lake Swim
Skaha Lake

There will be a shuttle that runs every 45 minutes from Christie Memorial Park in Okanagan Falls to Pioneer Park in Kaleden, and Skaha Beach in Penticton. The first shuttle will depart at 10:00 am and run every 45 minutes until 2:45 PM if necessary. You will need to bring your vehicle back to Ok Falls to retrieve your boat.

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

Yes, there is a 4.5 hr cut-off time at Ponderosa Point (8 km), and an overall cut off time of 6.5 hrs.

Kayaks can be rented by contacting Hoodoo Adventures

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.

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.

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.

Since we are not charging for their use, using your own will not get you a discount.

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.