Introducing
the inaugural
Nanaimo Open Water Swim
And
SwimRun Challenge
Presented by Canaqua Sports
Come and join us on June 8, 2025,
at
Westwood Lake
Nanaimo, B.C.
Canaqua Sports is excited to present our first-ever event on Vancouver Island as we continue our growth in Beautiful British Columbia.
FEATURED EVENTS
The Nanaimo Open Water Swim includes distances of 1.0K, 3.0K, and 5.0 K
Mudskipper SwimRun - Westwood Lake
Come and join us for a one-lap or two-lap Mudskipper event. Featuring distances of 10.0K and 20.0K in and around Westwood Lake
Powered by Canaqua Sports
Come and join us for a great day of Open Water Swimming and
Individual SwimRun
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Nanaimo 1.0K Open Water Swim
Registration closes in 17 days 10 hours-
Come and Swim 1 lap of our beautiful course at Westwood Lake. A great way to start the season
-
$82.59
Pre-Registration - Price includes a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Feb 28 – Mar 31 -
Register for Nanaimo 1.0K Open Water Swim$98.69Now registering Apr 1 – Jun 5
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Nanaimo 3.0 K Swim
Registration closes in 17 days 10 hours-
A longer swim for those who are looking for an extra challenge
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$82.59
Pre-Registration - Price includes a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Feb 28 – Mar 31 -
Register for Nanaimo 3.0 K Swim$98.69Now registering Apr 1 – Jun 5
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Nanaimo 5.0K Open Water Swim
Registration closes in 17 days 10 hours-
Come and enjoy an early season challenge by swimming 5K in beautiful Westwood Lake. 5K equals 5 laps.
-
$93.33
Pre-Registration - Price includes a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Feb 28 – Mar 31 -
Register for Nanaimo 5.0K Open Water Swim$109.43Now registering Apr 1 – Jun 5
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Mudskipper 10 K SwimRun Challenge Nanaimo
Registration closes in 17 days 10 hours-
Interested in SwimRun but looking for a shorter race? Try out our 9.5 K event, 1 lap of our Westwood Lake course
-
$104.06
Pre-Registration - includes a Mudskipper Runners Hat
Feb 28 – Mar 15 -
Register for Mudskipper 10 K SwimRun Challenge Nanaimo$130.90Now registering Mar 16 – Jun 5
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Mudskipper 20 K SwimRun Challenge Nanaimo
Registration closes in 17 days 10 hours-
Looking for a longer swimrun? This race offers 2 laps of our Westwood Lake course for double the challenge. A great warm-up for some of our longer races later in the season.
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$114.80
Pre-Registration - includes a Mudskipper Runners Hat
Feb 28 – Mar 15 -
Register for Mudskipper 20 K SwimRun Challenge Nanaimo$147.00Now registering Mar 16 – Jun 5
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Sumarpo Wetsuits - Official Sponsor of Canaqua Sports
Canaqua Sports is happy to announce Sumarpo Wetsuits as the sponsor of Canaqua Sports and our Open-Water Swim and SwimRun events.
Sumarpo carries a complete line of 100% eco-friendly wetsuits for both Open Water Swimming and SwimRun along with a full line-up of items designed to help you in your training and competition.
FOCUSING ON ECO-FRIENDLY VALUES ALL THE TIME. WE'RE COMMITTED TO RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING ECO-MATERIALS AND ECO-PRODUCTS, AND HAVE JOINED THE ‘1% FOR THE PLANET’
Check out Sumarpo's entire line-up by clicking on the link. You will be glad you did.
https://www.sumarpo.com/?sca_ref=5230816.OJL5jABc55
When ordering use Promo Code CANAQUA24
Canaqua Sports Partners With Childhood Cancer Canada
Canaqua Sports is proud to announce our partnership with Childhood Cancer Canada. This partnership is a celebration of shared values: perseverance, hope, and a deep commitment to community. Together, Childhood Cancer Canada and Canaqua Sports aim to raise awareness, inspire action, and support children and families affected by childhood cancer across Canada.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Canaqua Sports for standing with us. Open water swimmers and Swimrunners face the unknown with every race – unpredictable conditions, long distances, and moments that test their mental strength as much as their physical endurance,” said Kyle Smith, Director of Development, Childhood Cancer Canada. “That same courage and determination lives in the kids we support. Every day, they navigate their own challenging journeys with incredible bravery.”
To donate, or to learn more about Childhood Cancer Canada please go to
Canaqua Sports | Childhood Cancer Canada
Nanaimo Open Water Swim
Nanaimo Open Water Swim
Distances
1K, 3K, 5K
This race consists of 1, 3, or 5 laps in Westwood Lake, with each loop being 1.0 K of swimming. This is a great opening season event for swimmers of all levels.
Mudskipper SwimRun - Westwood Lake
Mudskipper SwimRun - Westwood
Welcome to Westwood Lake, Canaqua Sports first event on Vancouver Island.
This unique event features 9.5K and 19.0K distances where participants swim and run in and around Westwood Lake.
Come and join us and give Individual SwimRun a try!
For this event the 9.5K events takes participants through stages 1 - 5 in and around Westwood Lake
Mudskipper Swimrun - Westwood
Stages 1 and 2
Stage 3, 4, and 5
For our longer 19.5K event, athletes will complete all 5 stages two times for that extra Challenge
SwimRun Characteristics
For those of you who are new to the sport of SwimRun, we understand that it may seem like a very daunting sport. Swimming with Paddles and with your shoes on, Running in a wetsuit. Yes, this is all very different and has helped to make SwimRun a very unique sport. Here are some of the basics that you will need to know about SwimRun. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@canaquasports.com and we will be happy to give you tips to get started
Equipment
Wetsuit
Wearing of wetsuits is optional for most SwimRun Challenge events. For those who prefer to wear a wetsuit you don’t need to have a SwimRun specific model to take part – any swimming (Tri) wetsuit will do so long as you can move freely enough in it to run and it will keep you warm enough on long swims.
Shoes
The shoes you wear for SwimRun not only need to be comfortable for the long distances of technical trail running that you’ll be doing in your race but also need to be suitable for use in the water. Make sure they are a snug fit so they don’t come off when swimming and that they don’t soak up much water and drain well. Running with wet shoes on slippery rocks requires good traction so Good grip soles are essential!
Swim cap
In many SwimRun competitions the organizer provides a swimming cap (we will be providing Canaqua Sports swim caps). These are mandatory for all participants
Accessories
Goggles
Goggles are essential to avoid getting water in your eyes. You will need to have clear vision for sighting in open water. Cold water can also be quite uncomfortable on the face and eyes so covering up helps a lot! Goggles come in all shapes and sizes so try lots on and select a pair that fits your face well. Test them well in open water before hand – there is nothing more irritating than leaky goggles! It might be worth having a couple of pairs at the ready with different lenses. On dull days clear lenses will be best but on bright sunny days a tinted or polarised pair will help stop glare from the water. Some participants carry a second pair of spare goggles incase they lose them whilst running. Think about how you are going to carry them if you take them off your head to run.
Hand paddles
Many people use hand paddles for SwimRun. These add some extra power to your strokes by increasing the ‘catch’ are of your hand. There are many different types of paddles on the market, but you’ll need some that have straps to hold it on your hand or they can easily come off and be lost in open water. You’ll also need to think about how you are going to carry them on your runs and practice your transitions – getting out on rocky ground is hard when your have paddles on your hands!
If you decide to use paddles you must train with them a lot! Using paddles takes good technique and puts a lot of strain on your shoulders and back muscles. You need to build up the strength to be able to use them over long distances. If you don’t you will soon find you get very tired and worse you can injure yourself!
Pull buoy
SwimRun rules state that you can use any flotation aids so long as they are no bigger than 100 cm x 60 cm! Most people use a pull buoy.This float, which you hold between your legs instead of kicking, gives you extra buoyancy and allows you to save your legs during the swims. You’ll appreciate this when it is time to run! Using a pull buoy is generally why people decide to use the hand paddles as the extra propulsion makes up for the loss of the power from the kick. Pull buoys come in different shapes and sizes – what you use depends really on how much lift you need in your legs. For example, if you have a short wetsuit and heavy trainers you’ll need a bigger float.
Race Info
Location: Westwood Park - Nanaimo B.C
Check-in: 8.00 - 8.45 AM
Racing starts at 9:00 AM
Facilities & Food:
- Washrooms will be available
- Food will be provided
Race Details:
- Swim caps will be provided for each swimmer and MUST BE WORN for identification purposes during the race
- A number will be inked on upper back/shoulder of each participant
- Water temperature at this time of year ranges between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.
- There will not be a "rain date" and a delay (or cancellation) would only occur in the event of lightning
- NOTE: Wetsuits are recommended.
Event schedule
- Sun, June 8, 2025 8:00 a.m. - Onsite Registration and check-in
- Sun, June 8, 2025 8:45 a.m. - Mandatory Race Briefing
- Sun, June 8, 2025 9:00 a.m. - Nanaimo Open Water Swim
- Sun, June 8, 2025 9:30 a.m. - Mudskipper SwimRun - Westwood
Contact information
- Event contact
- Darcie Nolan
- Website
- Visit website
