How to enter

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At a glance

  • Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Queenstown Bay, Queenstown NZ
  • Lake Swim
  • 1km, 2km & 4km

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  • Sat, 21 Mar 2026

The Whakatipu Legend

How to enter

Register for free to access entry link

At a glance

  • Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Queenstown Bay, Queenstown NZ
  • Lake Swim
  • 1km, 2km & 4km
  • Around The Buoys

Why this event?

Swim the legendary Lake Whakatipu.

Some swims you remember. This one? You never forget.

The Whakatipu Legend isn’t just a swim, it’s a journey into the heart of New Zealand’s wild, glacial beauty. Set on the glassy expanse of Lake Whakatipu, this event takes you into deep, pure waters framed by jagged alpine peaks and backed by the energetic hum of Queenstown, just a stone’s throw away. It’s raw, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful, an unforgettable blend of challenge and cinematic scenery.

Whether you’re taking on the crisp and punchy 1km, pushing yourself across the classic Iron-distance 3.8km, or chasing true endurance glory in the 10km or 15km ultra, every distance offers something epic. The water is cool and clean, refreshing on the face, invigorating in the soul. It’s a swim where you can hear your breath, feel your heartbeat, and lose yourself in the rhythm of stroke after stroke against a backdrop that looks like it was painted by the gods.

But it’s not just the scenery that makes this event legendary. It’s the spirit. The Whakatipu Legend draws a community of open water adventurers, athletes, dreamers, locals, and travellers, each with their own reasons for diving in. The vibe is welcoming, the atmosphere electric, and the personal reward? Absolutely unmatched.

This is lake swimming on another level, cold, bold, and wildly memorable. Come for the challenge. Stay for the views. Leave as part of the legend.

On the day

What's on offer

1km Lake Swim
  • Bay Swim
  • years
New to open water? This is the perfect way to get started. The 1km Bay Swim is ideal for confident pool swimmers who haven’t yet braved the lake. You’ll follow behind our experienced Beacon Swimmers, with the safety team close by every step (or stroke) of the way. The cool, clear waters of Lake Whakatipu are refreshing and invigorating, and even though it’s the shortest event of the day, it packs in all the beauty, thrill, and magic of the mountains. A memorable first leap into lake swimming.
2km Lake Swim
  • Beacon Swim
  • years
It’s a beach start, so get ready to run (or wade!) into that iconic turquoise blue. Expect a few gasps as the cold fills your wetsuit, then you’re off, swimming a straight 950m line toward the historic beacon that usually guides boats into Queenstown Bay. Once you round the beacon and loop past the turning buoy, enjoy the glide home with alpine views at your back. A scenic, satisfying hit-out for those ready to go a little further.
4km Lake Swim
  • The Legend
  • years
True legends board the TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown’s iconic steamship, for a 30-minute cruise into the Frankton Arm. From there, it’s overboard, with a leap from the 3.5m upper deck or a gentler drop from the lower deck. When the horn sounds, it’s you, 4km of pristine lake, and a memory in the making. Swim back to Queenstown Bay with the mountains towering above and the story of Whakatipu unfolding beneath you. An unforgettable experience for adventurous swimmers.
7km Lake Swim
  • 4 – 2 – 1 km Triple Challenge
  • years
Looking for the ultimate open water feat? Take on all three distances in one epic day. The 4km, 2km, and 1km events are spaced so that intermediate and fast swimmers can back it up and go the distance. If you can finish the 4km swim in under 1 hour 20 minutes, you’ll make the cut for the 2km and 1km events too. Three swims, one day, one legendary achievement.

Prepare for this event

Have A Go: 1km Training Program
Whether you’re coming back after a long break or you’re completely new to swimming, we’ll help you prepare for your 1km swim. Learn more

Up The Ante: 2km Training Program
Step up in distance with this training program designed to build you up & guide you all the way to the finish. Learn more

Learn online with the OceanFit Academy or join a hands-on ocean clinic to improve your surf and open water skills.

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  • Sat, 21 Mar 2026
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