Across the Lake Swim Copper Island

About the race

The approach to Scotch Creek unfolds along the winding roads of British Columbia’s interior, where the dense forest canopy suddenly breaks to reveal the expansive, shimmering surface of Shuswap Lake. As you pull into the boat launch area at the provincial park, the scale of the water becomes clear; it is a complex, multi-armed basin formed by the same geological folding that shaped coastal fjords. Swimming here connects you to a landscape once buried under the massive, ancient Glacial Lake Kamloops, which stood a staggering 1,000 metres above the current water level. Today, you glide over depths that fluctuate wildly, navigating from the sheltered shallows near the park’s delta—where remnants of traditional Secwepemc pit houses remain beneath the soil—to the deeper, more enigmatic channels where the four arms of the lake converge at the Cinnemosun Narrows.

The water and the myths. Beneath the surface, the lake’s bathymetry is a study in contrasts, plunging to 171 metres in the Seymour Arm while narrowing to a mere five-metre depth at the central junction. This deep, cold environment has long fueled local folklore about 'Shuswaggi', a serpentine inhabitant said to roam the darkest pockets of the lake. While you focus on your stroke and the rhythmic pull of your breath, you might also catch a glimpse of the history of the shoreline, including the legacy of the 1860s Scottish gold prospectors who gave Scotch Creek its name. Their legacy persists in the local ecosystem, as the creek remains a vital spawning ground for sockeye salmon.

Race day logistics. On the morning of the event, the atmosphere at the boat launch is methodical. The race offers 2.6km and 5km loops, each designed to showcase the lake's vast, clear expanse. Because the water temperature typically sits around 21°C in mid-September, wetsuits are recommended but remain optional for participants. Every swimmer is required to carry a personal swim float, a safety measure provided by the organizers to ensure high visibility across the open water. Support paddlers are mandatory for those tackling the 5km distance, a logistical requirement that ensures safety while navigating the lake's open stretches. With a two-and-a-half-hour cut-off for the longest distance, the event balances the intensity of an open-water challenge with the necessity of constant safety oversight in these deep, glacial-carved waters.

Course

• 2.6 km — Loop course on Shuswap Lake.
• 5 km — Loop course on Shuswap Lake.

Entry fees

• 2.6 km — 60 € · Original price CA$89.33. Includes all fees and taxes.
• 5 km — 70 € · Original price CA$104.41. Includes all fees and taxes.

Regulations

Wetsuits are recommended but are not mandatory.

Participant kit

• Swim Buddy (personal swim float)

Swim buddies are supplied by the organization at no extra cost, though participants may use their own.

Mandatory gear

• Swim Buddy (personal swim float) — Mandatory for both swim distances.
• Support paddler — Required for the 5km distance; recommended for the 2.6km distance.

Previous editions

• 2025 · results

Organizer

Across the Lake Swim

Official site

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