Event Details


​Calling all swimmers for the 5th annual Toronto Island Lake Swim. The event offers three swims: a 750m, 1.5km and 3.8km swim on the south side of the beautiful Toronto Islands at the Centre Island Pier.

What: a 750m, 1.5km or 3.8k open water swim.

When: SUNDAY, August 26th, 2018 all times are SHARP:     [NOTE THIS SCHEDULE CHANGED ON AUGUST 16th, 2018)

10:00am - Opening Remarks
10:08 am  - 750m swim
10:40 am - 1.5km swim starts
11:15am - 3.8km swim starts.

We are going to have three events, with two heats each. The first event is the 750m, and that will start at 10:08am SHARP with a 2nd heat going 1 minute after. The second event is the 1.5km swim and that will start at 10:40am SHARP! with a second heat one minute after. The last event is the 3.8km swim which will start at 11:15am with a second heat one minute after.

We will be doing awards right after the top swimmers complete the race. No waiting around!

Where: Centre Island Pier, Toronto Island

Fees: $60 per swimmer. Your fee includes a bathing cap, and we are working on what goes into the swag bag. We hope to surprise you. 

Swim course: The course is a loop swim starting at the Centre Island Pier, and going towards Ward's Island Beach and finishing back at the Centre Island Pier. View the course map. The course will be well-marked. We will also have a large map at the event this year.

Water conditions: The water temperature in mid-August is typically between 14-22C. However, the last three years the temperature has fluctuated between 10C and 23C before race day. While the 2013 swim had temperatures of 15C, 2016 saw 23C. Almost 33% of the swimmers choose to swim in a wetsuit. We recommend you plan for the worst, and bring a wetsuit just in case. 

Food: We will be providing snacks like granola bars and banana's as well as water. The area we are in also has a Pizza Pizza and a Bar so make yourself at home.

Baggage Check: We will have a baggage check station on the beach where you can check your extra clothing and shoes. You will be given a registration number and it will be drawn on your bathing cap. This number will allow you to retrieve your items at the baggage check-in.

Race kit pick-up: Race packet pickup, and waiver signing will take place at the Centre Island Pier on Toronto Island Sunday, August 26th between 9:00am and 11:00am. See race times on the homepage.

How do I get to Centre Island?: You will need to get the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal (At the foot of Bay Street and Queen's Quay in downtown Toronto) to catch a ferry to Centre Island Ferry. Be sure to get on the correct ferry.
There will be no refunds if you miss the ferry. The ferry terminal can be busy with people going to centre island. So be sure to get there early. Be sure to check the ferry schedule

Awards: We are providing trophies for the fastest Male and Female in both the 750m, 1.5K, and 3.8K race. We are also going to post times for all swimmers based on the Masters sanctioned age groups (age as of race day). The fastest male and female swimmer will get their name engraved on the Toronto Island Lake Swim Trophy and will get to keep a small replica of the trophy. Race results will be posted shortly after the race and trophies will be presented right after each swim is completed... No more waiting around!

Cancellation of the event: We have had 4 beautiful days for the past 4 events However, in the unlikely case of severe weather (lightning, high e-coli count (Grrr!!!), low visibility, strong north-easterly winds and resulting high waves), the swim will be canceled. No refunds will be issued. This is because we will have spent 80% of the budget just to reach Sunday, August 20th. Our suppliers and partners wont' give refunds, so we can't either. 

For more information read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the site.