Come one come all
to the 4th annual
CANAQUA SPORTS MID-SUMMER CLASSIC
August 2, 2026
NEW LOCATION
Welland Canal Boathouse
At Canaqua Sports, our goal has always been to host great events in exceptional locations. For 2026, we have moved this event to the Welland Community Boathouse. A new location with new challenges, perfect for our Signature event of the season.
This event features open-water swim distances of 2.0K, 4K, and 10K in the beautiful waters of the Welland Recreational Canal, using our new 2K diamond course, with swimrun events in and around this section of the Welland Recreational Canal.
Midsummer Open Water Swim
Come and join us in the beautiful Welland Recreational Canal and pick your distance. Choose from our 2.0K, 4K and 10K distances
- Course: The course will be a 2.0 km loop. All swimmers will do 1, 2, or 5 loops depending on their chosen distance.
- The Mid-Summer Open Water Swim is open to swimmers of all ages 12 and up. We invite all those interested to join us and enjoy a great swim at this fantastic venue.
Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun Challenge
Yes its Back for 2026 , the Mudskipper Mid-Summer SwimRun Challenge, Similar to the swimrun we do in June, but longer. NEW FOR 2026 is our Midsummer SwimRun Relay. One person runs, and one person swims—a new type of swimrun. Grab a partner and give it a try.
NEW FROM CANAQUA SPORTS
Save on Travel
Hotel bookings, Flights, and Car Rentals
Canaqua Sports announces a partnership with Sportsmasters Travel.
Save money when you book for your events, or even a non-sport trip.
Booking is Easy - Enjoy the Savings!
https://www.sportsmasters.travel/canaquasports
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
1k swim
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
-
CA$89.39
Pre-Registration - Register Early and get a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov 10 – Dec 15 -
CA$89.39
Early Bird Pricing
Dec 16 – Mar 30 -
Register for 1k swimCA$100.28Now registering Mar 31 – May 30
-
CA$105.72May 31 – Jul 29
-
2.0k swim
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
1 x 2.0k lap
-
CA$89.39
Pre-Registration - Register Early and get a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov 10 – Dec 15 -
CA$89.39
Early Bird Pricing
Dec 16 – Mar 30 -
Register for 2.0k swimCA$100.28Now registering Mar 31 – May 30
-
CA$105.72May 31 – Jul 29
-
4k swim
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
2 x 2.0k laps
-
CA$100.28
Pre-Registration - Register Early and get a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov 10 – Dec 15 -
CA$100.28
Early Bird Pricing
Dec 16 – Mar 30 -
Register for 4k swimCA$111.18Now registering Mar 31 – May 30
-
CA$122.07May 31 – Jul 29
-
10k swim
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
5 x 2.0k laps
-
CA$100.28
Pre-Registration - Register Early and get a Canaqua Sports Runners Hat
Nov 10 – Dec 15 -
CA$100.28
Early Bird Pricing
Dec 16 – Mar 30 -
Register for 10k swimCA$111.18Now registering Mar 31 – May 30
-
CA$122.07May 31 – Jul 29
-
Mudskipper Mid-Summer SwimRun Challenge
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
Come and enjoy a swimrun along our new 15K route, as you travel in and around this section of the Welland Recreational Canal
-
CA$105.72Nov 10 – Dec 15
-
CA$116.62Dec 16 – Mar 30
-
Register for Mudskipper Mid-Summer SwimRun ChallengeCA$132.96Now registering Mar 31 – May 30
-
CA$143.85May 31 – Jul 29
-
Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun Relay
Price changes in 1 month 29 days-
Using our new 15K swimrun course, One person swims and one person runs to complete this new event
-
CA$56.71
per person
Nov 10 – Dec 15 -
CA$67.60
per person
Dec 16 – Mar 30 -
Register for Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun RelayCA$78.50
per person
Now registering Mar 31 – May 30 -
CA$89.39
Per Person
May 31 – Jul 29
-
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
Midsummer Open Water Swim
Welcome to the
CANAQUA SPORTS MIDSUMMER OPEN WATER SWIM
For the 2026 season, we at Canaqua Sports are very excited to be running our Midsummer Classic event at the Welland Community Boathouse, the same location as we run our first event of the season. Given the uniqueness of the location, being right in Welland and feeling like the country, we believe it is a great switch for an intimate yet challenging event
For this event, we are using a 2K diamond that starts at the dock area, and runs south 1/2 K (1K out and back) and 1/2K north of the dock,
Distances are
2K, 4K, and 10K
Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun Challenge
Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun Challenge
Yes, it's back.
A new location brings a new race
We are very happy to have added the Mudskipper Midsummer SwimRun Challenge back into our Midsummer event.
This year's swimrun is 12.5K and includes both an Individual and a Relay division at the same location as our June event. We are currently working on our new maps and will have them shortly. We are anticipating that there will be 3 swims and 2 runs, with 3 k of swimming and the balance will be the run.
The race will start on land right near the dock area, and all transitions will be at that location
start area for the swimrun
Mudskipper SwimRun Relay
Something new for 2026
Enjoy participating in a swimrun, and only do a swim or a run.
Teams will have 2 people, 1 swimmer and 1 runner.
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.
Event schedule
Event schedule
Event schedule
- Sun, August 2, 2026 6:45 AM - Onsite Registration and check-in
- Sun, August 2, 2026 8:00 AM - Mandatory Meeting
- Sun, August 2, 2026 8:15 AM - 10k race begins
- Sun, August 2, 2026 8:30 AM - Midsummer SwimRun Classic and Swimrun Relay Start Time
- Sun, August 2, 2026 9:00 AM - 2.0k and 4.00 K races begins
Contact information
- Event contact
- Ian Feldman
- Phone
- +1 416-617-3558
- Website
- Visit website
