Across the Lake Swim
Skaha Lake
August 10, 2025
Penticton, bc, canada
Registration
Opening Soon
- Details
- Sponsors
- Courses
- Schedule
- Package Pickup
- Updates
- FAQ
- Parking
- Results
- Photos
- Details
Details
Skaha Lake is historically known as Dog Lake, but the local meaning is “horse”. It is one of the wonderful British Columbia fresh water lakes in the Okanagan Valley. It lies between the south end of the city of Penticton and Okanagan Falls, B.C.
The Skaha Lake swim is a 4.5km or 11.8k point-to-point swim in the warm (23°C or 74°F on average), fresh waters of Skaha Lake nestled within an incredibly scenic valley, making it an ideal location for long distance swims.
The 4.5km swim starts from Pioneer Park in Kaleden, B.C. and finishes at Christie Memorial Park in OK Falls. Swim Buddy’s (personal swim floats) are required and we will supply you with one n/c or you can use your own.
The 11.8km swim starts from the Skaha Lake Main Beach and also finishes at Christie Memorial Park in OK Falls. Swim Buddy’s are recommended but not required, however, support paddlers are mandatory for this swim.
11.8km: There is a 4.5hr cut-off time at Ponderosa Point (8 km), and an overall cut off time of 6.5 hrs.
4.5km: There is a 2.5hr cut-off time.New!
- All swimmers are timed by electronic chip timing.
- All 11.8km swimmers are tracked by GPS. Participants will receive a link so their progress can be tracked in real time by friends and family.
History of the Swim
The Skaha Lake Ultra Swim started in 1985 by local sports legend Steve King as a complement to the Ultra International Triathlon, which the next year became an official Ironman.
Volunteer
Click here to sign up - Sponsors
Sponsors
Silver
Official Goggle
Supporter
- Course
Course
4.5km:
11.8km:
Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Aug 10 | 5:45 am | 6:45 am | 11.8km Package Pickup | Skaha Main Beach |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 5:30 am | 7:30 am | Gear Check Open | Skaha Main Beach |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 6:45 am | 7:30 am | 4.5km Package Pickup | Skaha Main Beach |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 7:00 am | 11.8km Swim Starts | Skaha Main Beach | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 7:45 am | Bus Leaves for 4.5km Start Line | Skaha Main Beach | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 8:30 am | 4.5km Swim Starts | Pioneer Park, Kaleden | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 10:00 am | Shuttle start back to Kaleden and Penticton | OK Falls | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 10:45 am | 4.5km cut off | OK Falls | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 11:30 am | 11.8km cut off (8km) | Ponderosa Point | |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 1:30 pm | 11.8km cut off | OK Falls |
Times are subject to change.
Package Pickup
Package pickup is the Skaha Lake Park main beach near the end of Parkview Street. Package Pickup opens at 5:45am for the 11.8 km swim, and 6:45am for the 4.5 km swim.
4.5km swimmers must pick up their package in Penticton, there is no package pickup in Kaleden. We will bus swimmers to the start in Kaleden.
Updates
Track the 11.8km Skaha Lake Swimmers
August 6, 2024Friends and family can track swimmers in real time.
ViewNew Shorter Distances
January 10, 2024We are thrilled to announce that we have added two new swim distances for Kelowna and Skaha Lake.
ViewNew Swim Announced
August 15, 2023We are delighted to announce the Skaha Lake Ultra Swim in Pentiction, BC is now a part of the Across the Lake Swims!
View
FAQ
How do I get my support craft back to my vehicle?
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.
Can support craft be dropped off early?
No, you can only drop off the support craft the morning of the swim (except for Kelowna).
Is there a cut-off time for the 11.8km swim?
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.
Where can I rent a kayak?
Kayaks can be rented by contacting Hoodoo Adventures
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 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.
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 along Parkview Street or in the main parking lot at Elm and Cypress Street.
