Welcome to the
Inaugural
Mudskipper SwimRun Shawnigan Lake
and the
Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim
Event Date
July 6, 2025
Location: West Shawnigan Lake Park
2501 West Shawnigan Lake Road Shawnigan Lake B.C.
As part of the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge, Mudskipper SwimRun Shawnigan Lake takes participants swimming in this beautiful lake, alternating with Runs along nearby trails. A beautiful and challenging course
For this event, we are putting together a 10K course that participants will complete once for our 10K event and two times for our 20K event.
Maps will be available shortly
Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim
3 swim distances. 1K, 3K, and 5K
Come and join us for a swim!
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Mudskipper SwimRun- Shawnigan Lake - 10K
Registration closes in 1 month 14 days-
Give swimrun a try with our shorter 10 K distance A great way to try a great sport
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$98.69
Introductory offer - Register before March 31 and receive a Mudskipper runners Hat
Mar 3 – Mar 31 -
Register for Mudskipper SwimRun- Shawnigan Lake - 10K$125.53Now registering Apr 1 – Jul 3
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Mudskipper SwimRun - Shawnigan Lake 20K
Registration closes in 1 month 14 days-
Are you looking for an extra challenge? Our 20K swimrun is just that event. 2 laps of our 10K swimrun course.
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$104.06
Introductory offer - Register before March 31 and receive a Mudskipper runners Hat
Mar 3 – Mar 31 -
Register for Mudskipper SwimRun - Shawnigan Lake 20K$136.27Now registering Apr 1 – Jul 3
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Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 3K
Registration closes in 1 month 14 days-
3-laps of swimming in beautiful Shawnigan Lake... What can be better!
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$82.59
Introductory offer - Register before March 31 and receive a Canaqua Sports runners Hat
Mar 3 – Mar 31 -
Register for Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 3K$104.06Now registering Apr 1 – Jul 3
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Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 1K
Registration closes in 1 month 14 days-
Calling all pool swimmers. Come out and give open water swimming a try with out 1-lap open water swim.
-
$82.59
Introductory offer - Register before March 31 and receive a Canaqua Sports runners Hat
Mar 3 – Mar 31 -
Register for Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 1K$104.06Now registering Apr 1 – Jul 3
-
Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 5K
Registration closes in 1 month 14 days-
Our longest swim of the day..... Come and give it a try
-
$98.69
Introductory offer - Register before March 31 and receive a Canaqua Sports runners Hat
Mar 3 – Mar 31 -
Register for Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim - 5K$114.80Now registering Apr 1 – Jul 3
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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.
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
Mudskipper SwimRun - Shawnigan Lake
Mudskipper SwimRun is growing, and we are very excited to be offering our 2nd event of the season on Vancouver Island.
Come and join us for a unique event that will bring participants into the fresh waters of Shawnigan Lake and while challenging them with some running along the trails that run through this beautiful park.
We invite all who are interested to join us on July 6, 2025.
Watch for maps to follow shortly
Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim
Welcome to the Shawnigan Lake
open water swim
Join us for a wonderful August swim in Lac Archambault using our 3K course where you will swim 1, 2, or 5 laps depending on your chosen distance.
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: Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
2501 West Shawnigan Lake Road
Shawnigan Lake B.C.
Check-in 6:30 - 8:00
Racing starts at 8:30 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 68 – 72 degrees Fahrenheit
- There will not be a "rain date" and a delay (or cancellation) would only occur in the event of lightning
- NOTE: Wetsuits are optional
Event schedule
- Wed, July 6, 2005 6:30 a.m. - Onsite Registration and check-in
- Sun, July 6, 2025 8:00 a.m. - Mandatory Race Briefing
- Sun, July 6, 2025 9:00 a.m. - Mudskipper Shawnigan Lake 10K and 20K start
- Sun, July 6, 2025 9:15 a.m. - Shawnigan Lake Open Water Swim Begins
Contact information
- Event contact
- Darcie Nolan
- Website
- Visit website
