Welcome to the
Welland Open Water Swim
and
SwimRun Challenge
June 8, 2025
Welcome to the beautiful Welland Canal Boathouse, where the water is always great and the trails are fast. What a great location for our annual first event in Ontario. Now in its 8th season, The Welland Open Water Swim and SwimRun Challenge has become our longest-running race and is a great season-opening event.
Whether you are entering your first-ever open water swim or are a season veteran looking for a great early-season event, The Welland Open Water Swim is the place for you. With Distances of 1K, 3K, and 5K you can pick the event that works best for you.
Mudskipper SwimRun - Welland
Powered by Canaqua SportsAs with our Open Water Swim event, the Mudskipper SwimRun - Welland is our longest-running swimrun event. Initially, this race featured a great 7.5 K course that was great for beginner swimrun participants. Last year, for the first time we added a new 10K distance which was a huge hit, so we have brought it back once again.
We are very excited about our upcoming season and look forward to a great crowd on June 8, 2025
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
1.0K Swim
Price changes in 2 months 24 days-
-
$88.57
Pre-Registration - Price includes a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov. 8 – Dec. 15 -
Register for 1.0K Swim$88.57
Early Bird Registration
Now registering Dec. 16 – Mar. 14 -
$93.96Mar. 15 – Jun. 5
-
3.0K Swim
Price changes in 2 months 24 days-
-
$93.96
Pre-Registration - Register early and get a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov. 8 – Dec. 15 -
Register for 3.0K Swim$93.96
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Dec. 16 – Mar. 14 -
$104.75Mar. 15 – Jun. 5
-
5.0 K Swim
Price changes in 2 months 24 days-
-
$93.96
Pre-Registration - Register early and get aPre-Registration - Register early and get aCanaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov. 8 – Dec. 15 -
Register for 5.0 K Swim$93.96
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Dec. 16 – Mar. 14 -
$104.75Mar. 15 – Jun. 5
-
Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland - 7.5K
Price changes in 2 months 24 days-
The Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland consists of 5 stages. 3 swim stages and 2 run stages. The total swim distance is 2.50 K with the run segments totaling 5.00 K. Flat and fast. Great for the true sprinter and beginner.
-
$104.75
Pre-Registration - Register early and get a Mudskipper Runners Hat
Nov. 8 – Dec. 15 -
Register for Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland - 7.5K$104.75
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Dec. 16 – Mar. 14 -
$120.94Mar. 15 – Jun. 5
-
Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland - 10K
Price changes in 2 months 24 days-
Back for a second year try our 10K swimrun, with 1 extra 2.3K run and a short 150m swim to the end.
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$110.15
Pre-Registration - Register early and get a Mudskipper Runners Hat
Nov. 8 – Dec. 14 -
Register for Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland - 10K$110.15
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Dec. 15 – Mar. 14 -
$126.33Mar. 15 – 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
Swim course
Welland Open Water Swim
Located at the Welland Community Boathouse
Come and swim at this beautiful section of the Welland Canal
For this event, we use our standard 1 K diamond. With distances of 1K, 3K, and 5K, swimmers complete 1, 3, or 5 laps of the diamond depending on their selected distance.
All swimmers will be provided with an event bathing cap. There will be different coloured caps corresponding to the distance that you are competing in.
View our 1K swim map
Come and join us for our first Ontario event of the 2023 season.
See you on June 9, 2024
Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Welland
The Mudskipper SwimRun - Welland 7.5K consists of 5 stages. 3 swim stages and 2 run stages. The total swim distance is 2.50 K with the run segments totaling 5.50 K. Flat and fast. Great for the true sprinter and those who are looking to try Swimrun for the first time.
For the 10.0K distance, we have added a 2.3K run, followed by a short swim to the finish line. Something a little different to complete your Challenge
Swimrun is an exciting and unique sport, and Canaqua Sports is proud to be growing the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge across Canada.
Never Tried Swimrun?
Do you like Swimming and running but are not a cyclist?
Then SwimRun is the sport for you!
Come on out and give it a try for the first time.
For your viewing pleasure, have a look at the maps!
Stage 1, swim, 1.0K, stage 2 Run 2.5K
Stage 3 Swim 0.5 K Stage 4 Run 2.5K
Stage 5 - Swim 1.0K (6.5K Swimrun)
Stage 5 1 K Swim Stage 6 2.1k Run
Stage 7 - 575M Swim
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
There are many equipment options that are available for swimrun. Here is a list of what you should consider, Note that there are many swimrun-specific items, such as a short wetsuit designed to run in as well as swim in, and pull buoys that strap around your leg for when you are running. Our suggestion, start slowly and make certain that you like the sport, which we are certain that you will, before buying an entire assortment of swimrun-specific items.
Wetsuit
Wearing 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 a 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 beforehand – 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 polarized pair will help stop glare from the water. Some participants carry a second pair of spare goggles in case 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’ area 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 you 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: 108 Thorold Road East, Welland, ON
Check-in: At the Community Centre
Facilities & Food:
- Washrooms will be available
- Food will be provided
- World Class Facility used for the 2015 Pan-Am Games
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: All swims will be in the Welland Canal, and running will be along trails that are adjacent to the canal
Event schedule
- Sun., June 8, 2025 7:30 a.m. - Onsite Registration and check-in
- Sun., June 8, 2025 8:30 a.m. - Mandatory Race Briefing
- Sun., June 8, 2025 9:00 a.m. - Welland Open Water Swim Start Time
- Sun., June 8, 2025 9:15 a.m. - Mudskipper SwimRun Start Time
Contact information
- Event contact
- Ian Feldman
- ian@canaquasports.com
- Phone
- +1 416-617-3558
- Website
- Visit website
