About the Swim

The Across The Lake Swim began in 1949 and is the longest running annual open water race in British Columbia. It is also the last swimming event left from the early Kelowna Regatta. The Kelowna Masters Swim Club took over the administration of the Swim Across The Lake from the City of Kelowna in 1986.

The fastest time for a male swimmer for the Across The Lake Swim is Roland Bauhart at 20:49, in 1997. The fastest time for a female swimmer for the Across The Lake Swim is K.C. Emerson at 23:27, in 1999.

The Across the Lake Swim has been gaining popularity every year and is getting more international attention. The swim was recently reviewed at 10kswimmer.com.

Do you know any history about the swim?

Unfortunately the details of the early history of the Across the Lake Swim are little known and we are looking for any tidbits of information that can help us piece together this incredible race. If you have any information such as pictures, newsclips, or if you even swam or watched it years ago, please contact us as we would love to hear from you.

Jan Morrow Award

Jan Morrow was a member of the Kelowna Masters Swim Club in the 1990’s who was actively involved with the club’s executive and as a regular masters swimmer. She was not a competitive swimmer, but loved to swim and successfully completed the Across the Lake Swim on a number of occasions. After she lost her battle with cancer, the Kelowna Masters Swim Club decided to name an annual award at the Across the Lake Swim in her memory, to be awarded to a swimmer who demonstrates determination, inspiration and a positive attitude within the swimming community.

2009 Winner: Nick Rabinovitch

Previous years winners were:
1995: Bill Ridinger
1996: Murray Craig
1997: Eric Simpson
1998: Brianne Kirschner
1999: No One!
2000: Joanne Ritchie
2001: Glen Mehus
2002: No One!
2003: Sue Morrison
2004: Kari Bailey
2005: Gar Chase
2006: Sharon Lonergan
2007: Tanya Traverse
2008: Monique Russo