Event Information 

Registration Fee

December 1 - February 28 $140
March 1-April 30 $150
​After May 1 $160

Refunds

If the 2021 event has to be cancelled due to COVID-19, all registration fees, minus the online processing fee, will be refunded. RFR & the Bayfield Rec Center will not be keeping any of the registration dollars in this case.

In case of individual cancellation or event cancellation due to weather, there are no refunds, transfers, or credits. We recommend cancellation insurance.

Course Information

The race is a 2.1 mile, point to point swim that starts in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and proceeds across the waters of Lake Superior to land on beautiful Madeline Island. Swimming to Madeline Island has been a storied feat around the Bayfield area for decades.

The event began in 2006 with 24 swimmers and has developed into the thriving event it is now with 550 swimmers. 

Swimmers will start from beach. Large buoys will mark the course. For safety reasons, you will be expected to swim along the marked course and may be steered back on course by a safety paddler if necessary. 

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 as a component of the Safety Team.

Race Information 

• All swimmers should have some open water swimming experience or be able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool.
• Cut off time for the race is 10:00am. 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.
• Swimmers must pick up their race packet in person. 
• Swimmers under 16 years of age need to complete a Application for Minors under 16 for approval to participate in the race. The minimum age requirement is 10 years old.

Competitive Division 

The Competitive Division is a competitive race. 

• Wetsuits are required except by special permission from the Race Director. Swimmers wishing to swim without a wetsuit need to complete a  Wetsuit Waiver Application and email it to brittany@recreationandfitnessresources 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 degrees). ​
• No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, etc) are permitted, except wetsuits.​​

Non-Competitive Division

The Non-Competitive Division is not a race, but will be timed for the swimmer's interest. 

• Swimmers should feel confident in their ability to swim 3 miles in open water.  
• Wetsuits are required for all swimmers in the Non-Competitive Division. Shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended due to cold water temperatures (typically 63-71 degrees)
• Fins, snorkels, and hand paddles are permitted.
• If you're looking for the Community Swim, please register for the Non-Competitive Division.
• Non-Competitive Division swimmers will be covered by the Safety Team and no longer need to provide their own Safety Paddler. 

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