Race Info

Join us for one of the best swim races in the country!

Point to La Pointe offers two different swim events for anyone who’s excited to swim fast, have fun, and raise money for recreation programs in the Bayfield area. There’s no better way to swim the Big Lake.

Prizes for the most pledges raised and the fastest swimmers by age group!

Register

Date

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Registration Fee

September 18-December 31 $110
January 1-May 31 $120
​After June 1 $130 

Course Information

The course is a straight 2.1 mile swim on Lake Superior starting at the town of Bayfield and ending at Madeline Island.
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Swimmers will start in waist deep water and finish at the water’s edge. Large buoys will mark the course every 1/3 mile. For safety reasons, you will be expected to swim along the marked course and may be steered by escort vessels if you get off course. Swimmers will finish at a dock and walk 5 steps up a ladder with handrails on both sides. Your time is taken when you cross a mat on the dock after you step off the ladder.

For those familiar with the area, the course follows the same route of the winter ice road, starting at the beach at the end of Washington Ave in Bayfield. It also parallels the route of the Madeline Island Ferry, finishing approximately 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock.  

Swimmers have encountered all of Lake Superior's moods over the years, from calm, flat water to strong crosswinds with 2 foot waves. This event is registered with and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event in addition to race officials and escorts.

Race

The Race Event is a competitive, timed swim for experienced swimmers.

Requirements:

• All race swimmers should have some open water racing experience or be able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool.
• No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, flotation devices) except wetsuits.
• Swimmers under 16 years of age need to complete an application for approval to participate in the race. 

If you cannot meet these requirements, please enter the community swim.
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Wetsuits are required except by special permission from the Race Director. Swimmers wishing to swim without a wetsuit need to complete an application to waive a wetsuit and email it to brittany@recreationandfitnessresouces for approval. Shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is best in case of cold temperatures. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather (typically 63-71). 

If you need a wetsuit, visit wetsuitrental.com to rent or buy a good used suit. They guarantee fit and delivery before the race.

Kayak safety coverage is provided for the competitive race. 

Community Swim 

The Community Event is not a race, but will be timed for the swimmer's interest. Swimmers in this event should feel confident in their ability to swim 2 miles in open water.

Requirements:

• Swimmers must provide their own safety paddler or hire a safety paddler (non-motorized). Community swimmers also have the option to complete an application to waive a personal safety paddler. All safety paddlers must be approved by the safety director. All safety paddlers must be experienced paddlers with the equipment and skills to handle Lake Superior conditions.
  To register as a safety paddler, please complete a  Safety Paddler Registration Form. ​Race organizers reserve the right to reject an paddler or an paddlers vessel that is not suitable for Lake Superior.    
• We encourage paddlers for: first time participants and participants that would like the piece of mind of having a personal paddler. 
• Wetsuits are required for the Community Event. Shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended due to cold water temperatures (63-71 degrees the past three years). If you need a wetsuit, we recommend wetsuitrental.com to rent or buy a good used suit.
• Swimming aids are allowed, including fins and snorkels. 

• Cut off time for the community swim is 10:00 (2.5 hours). Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time. Swimmers pulled from the water at the cut off time will be dropped off at the finish line.
• Community swimmers must pick up their race packet on Friday. 
• Swimmers under 16 years of age need to complete an application for approval to participate in the community swim. 

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Refunds

There are no refunds, transfers, or credits.