Welcome to the Inaugural
Wabamun Lake Open Water Swim and SwimRun Challenge
Powered by Canaqua Sports
Canaqua Sports is very excited to present our first open water swim and swimrun event in the province of Alberta at beautiful Wabamun Lake, just west of Edmonton.
This event features,
The Wabamun Open Water Swim,
and
Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake
Come and join us for a great day of racing on
July 12, 2026
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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
Wabamun 1K Open Water Swim
Registration closes in 2 months 27 days-
Come and swim 1 lap of our traditional 1k course at beautiful Wabamun Lake
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CA$66.71Mar 2 – Mar 30
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Register for Wabamun 1K Open Water SwimCA$77.49Now registering Mar 31 – Jul 7
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Wabamun 3K Open Water Swim
Registration closes in 2 months 27 days-
Our middle distance swim event. 3 laps of our 1K course
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CA$82.86Mar 2 – Mar 30
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Register for Wabamun 3K Open Water SwimCA$93.64Now registering Mar 31 – Jul 7
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Wabamun 5K Open Water Swim
Registration closes in 2 months 27 days-
Our longest swim of the day. Our 5 lapper event is great for those looking for something extra
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CA$82.86Mar 2 – Mar 30
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Register for Wabamun 5K Open Water SwimCA$93.64Now registering Mar 31 – Jul 7
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Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake - Mini
Registration closes in 2 months 27 days-
Are you swimrun curious, and looking to give swimrun a try? Join us for this 6.5K event which includes 3 swims and 2 runs in and around Wabamun Lake
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CA$104.41Mar 2 – Mar 30
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Register for Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake - MiniCA$115.19Now registering Mar 31 – Jul 7
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Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake - Basic
Registration closes in 2 months 27 days-
This is our longest event of the day, and will include our basic distance of 12 to 15K with participants doing a variety of swim and run stages in and around Wabamun Lake
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CA$120.56Mar 2 – Mar 30
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Register for Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake - BasicCA$131.34Now registering Mar 31 – Jul 7
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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 CANAQUA
Canaqua Sports Partners with Childhood Cancer Canada
Canaqua Sports is proud to once again be partnering 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
Wabamun Lake Open Water Swim
Wabamun Lake Open Water Swim
DIstances
1K, 3K, 5K
This race consists of 1, 3, or 5 laps in Wabamun Lake, with each loop being 1.0 K of swimming. Pick your distance and join us on July 17.
Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake
Welcome to
Mudskipper SwimRun Wabamun Lake
Canaqua Sports is very excited to be running our first SwimRun event in Alberta at beautiful Wabamun Lake, just west of Edmonton.
For the 2026 season, we are running 2 distances
Mudskipper SwimRun Mini - 6.5K
Swim 1K
Run 2.5K
Swim 450M
Run 1.85K
Swim 1K
and our Mudskipper Basic - @ 12K.
Watch for information to follow
Both distances are built to give participants the feeling of a true swimrun. Note that Mudskipper Events are run as an individual event.
We are in the process of completing our swimrun maps and will post them shortly.
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.
Contact information
- Event contact
- ian Feldman
- Phone
- 4166173558
- Website
- Visit website
