Lake Whakatipu is home to one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking open-water swimming races.

There’s a swim for everyone with three distances to choose from.

• 1km Bay Swim – A great event for those who can swim, but haven’t yet dipped their toes into open water swimming and are feeling a little unsure. Follow behind the Beacon swimmers, carefully watched by the safety team. You can enjoy the crisp waters and the Legend of the Whakatipu and despite it being the shortest event you won’t be left disappointed.
• 2km Beacon Swim – A beach start, you’ll run (paddle maybe) into the turquoise blue. A few gasps as the cold fills the wetsuit and you are away. A straight 950m of swimming, aiming for the beacon that normally navigates the boats into the Bay. Rounding the beacon and a large buoy, you can glide back to Queenstown Bay.
• 4km The Legend – Legends await as you board the Lady of the Lake! The TSS Earnslaw will deliver you with elegance on a 30-minute voyage from Steamer Wharf into the Frankton Arm. Dive into the deep from either a 3.5m platform or the more sedate 1.5m deck. The horn will blow and swimmers can enjoy a 4km swim back to Queenstown Bay.
• 4 – 2 – 1 km Triple Challenge – Do you want a challenge? Do you want to swim further? Event organisers have spaced out the 3 start times so it is possible for intermediate and fast swimmers to complete the combo challenge. If you can swim 4km in 1hr 20mins or less then you can challenge yourself to be on the start line for all 3 events.