WE ARE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER.
​THE 5th ANNUAL TORONTO ISLAND LAKE SWIM.

Swimming friends! As many of you know, we had to take 2017 off due to the high water levels in Lake Ontario. We are back and in the same spot in 2018. We will be pulling out all of the stops to put on the biggest and best open-water swim race in the GTA. Our date is Sunday, August 26th, 2018.

Key Event Details



When: Sunday, August 26th, 2018
Where: Centre Island Pier
Who: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's
What: The Toronto Island Lake Swim
Why: It is all about getting out in the lake and having a swim while raising awareness for how important it is to keep our lakes clean. 

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Toronto's Great History of Open Water Swimming

During the 1800's and early 1900's Toronto's lakefront and island was a playground for swimmers. The CNE regularly held swimming marathons with hundreds of thousands of dollars up for grabs for the winner. The crowds too were huge with over 100,000 people turning out to watch. In 1954 Marilyn Bell was the first to swim across Lake Ontario. She touched the wall with a crowd of 300,000 watching. Then we turned our back on the lake. Much had to do with public swimming pools and backyard pools. However the water quality caused many people to believe you couldn't swim in Lake Ontario.

It is in the historical spirit that we bring you the Toronto Island Lake Swim.

We have picked out an incredible swim route east from the Centre Island Pier towards Ward's Island Beach and back. The entire route is no more than 8-12 feet deep, and you can see nothing but sand for the entire swim.

Lake Ontario has not been this clean in a very long time. We are raising awareness for water quality and we have partnered with Lake Ontario Waterkeepers. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is founded on the belief that it is possible to achieve a swimmable, drinkable, fishable world.

Sponsors

These people and organizations are the best, and we couldn't do it without them. 
We dearly love these guys. They are creating a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Ontario. Waterkeepers has been a partner since Day #1, and we couldn't do the event without them. If you are not familiar with their work, check it out. 
We have a benefactor that wants to remain nameless. He is a man of great humility who has worked very hard his entire life, and just wants to give back. This man has been a great supporter of what we are doing, and makes the trip out to volunteer. To HGB, thanks very much!

Facebook 

We make use of Facebook for much of our communications to our community. So please like our Facebook page and check it frequently. 

Testimonals

We try our best to put on a fun event that is great for all types of swimmers from recreational to competitive.  Here are some people who think we are  pretty good. Have a look, we are very proud of the event, and this type of feedback just makes us want to do better each year. 
​“Thanks for a great race and day. Hope all went well from your perspective.
 It was my first swim race ever and I'll be doing more. You have set some
high standards with the organization and the friendliness of the volunteers.” - Rob Lines 
​“I just want to say a BIG thank you for a great event - well organized and a great day.” – Margaret Sanderson 
​Thank you so much for putting on this event. It was wonderful to see old friends and participate in my first open water race! Great day, great weather, great water, and and well run event. – Sheila Treleaven
​AWESOME RACE! Well run, amazingly organized, super course, sweet beach venue, cool cap & t-shirts, cold FAST water! I will be back next year and bringing friends/clients! – Todd Cameron 
“Thanks for organizing such a well-run event. The 800 pounds of concrete you tossed overboard were much appreciated - this was the best-marked course I've ever swum! A true swimmers' event, at its best.” – Jane Cunningham 
​Thank you soooo much for organizing such a great event. What a great feeling! I hope this will be an annual event?! – Miriam Gibson 
​“Congrats on the fantastic event! It was my first open water swim and thought the
 event was run smoothly. Thanks for putting on such a great event” - Ryan Tudor Roberts