Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association

Solo and Relay Marathon Swims

Lake Tahoe OWSA

2019 Marathon Swim Applications Now Open for Lake Tahoe

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Lake Tahoe Marathon Swim
Anna Newman, True Width 12-Mile record-setting swim of 4:48:13 on August 27, 2018.

The Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association is pleased to open the swim application process for the 2019 marathon swim season.

The Association recognizes three marathon swim courses on Lake Tahoe – the Length (21.3-miles), True Width (12-miles), and the Vikingsholm (10.6-miles). Each course can be swum as a solo, tandem, or relay.

“We are expecting another busy season with swimmers coming from all over the United States and as far as India, England, and Australia,” said Ranie Pearce, Board member and member of the Swim Applications Committee.

2019 fees for solo swims range from $395.00 for the Vikingsholm and True Width swims to $450.00 for the Length. Tandem and Relay fees are slightly higher. Applications submitted after May 31, 2019 will be subject to late fees. Swim ratification fees provide stipends for observers and support the nonprofit’s day-to-day expenses for operations, legal, accounting, and liability insurance for all Lake Tahoe and Northern California Open Water Swimming Association sanctioned swims.

Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Range, Lake Tahoe is a stunning location for marathon swims. Covering 191 square miles at 6,225 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is North America’s largest alpine lake and the second deepest at 1,645 feet. Altitude and freshwater challenge many of the swimmers.

The Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association operates under the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association, a California Public Benefit Corporation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association Launches Premier Season

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Marathon swimming in Lake Tahoe matures with a legitimate governing body.

July 4, 2018 – SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA – The Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association has been established as the governing body sanctioning marathon swims in Lake Tahoe. To date, there was no unbiased, dedicated non-profit organization defining, ratifying, and certifying open water swims at North America’s largest alpine lake. Lake Tahoe has been popular with open water swimmers for years, and a growing destination for marathon swimmers seeking to add to their list of accomplishments.

Despite good intentions, the diligence required to form an entity with bylaws, a proper and unbiased board, safety standards, defined courses, insurance, and the professional governance expected by the global open water swimming community never transpired,” said founding board member Sylvia Lacock. “Marathon swimming in Lake Tahoe has evolved to a point where swimmers demand professionalism, transparency, and confidence in the governing body overseeing and ratifying swims.

The Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association operates under the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association, a non-profit organization led by a board of 9 established and notable members of the open water swimming community. Since incorporating in March 2018, members have worked to ensure marathon swimming in Tahoe has comprehensive rules, policies, and procedures similar to those of long-standing and respected associations both globally and within the state – Catalina Channel Swimming Federation, Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association, and Monterey Bay Swimming Association.

As a California Public Benefits Corporation, with pending 501(c)3 status, the unbiased and transparent organization includes member-driven committees for all aspects of marathon swimming in Lake Tahoe including but not limited to Rules & Regulations, Courses, Safety, Applications, Observers, Swim Ratifications, and Appeals.  

Lake Tahoe offers 3 recognized courses, the ‘Length’ (21.3 miles), the ‘True Width’ (12 miles) and the ‘Vikingsholm’ (10.5 miles). “Completing the three swims will earn swimmers the ‘Lake Tahoe Triple Crown™’ a distinction awarded by the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association,” stated Patrick O’Malley Daly, Chair of the Course Committee.

Swimmers planning a marathon swim attempt in Lake Tahoe for the 2018 season will need to file a swim application and pay the sanction fee for the course they wish to attempt. Swimmers who had scheduled a prior swim may contact the Association to discuss their application, sanction fees, and deadlines. Course details and rules must be followed in order for a swim to be considered for ratification and included in the official records of Lake Tahoe swims. 

The board of directors includes Patrick O’Malley Daly, Suzie Dods, Suzanne Heim-Bowen, Sylvia Lacock,Ranie  Pearce, Bryan Temmermand, Michael Tschantz-Hahn, and Steve Walker. Collectively, this group has completed numerous marathon and channels swims including 7 solo English Channel crossings, 5 Manhattan Island circumnavigations, 5 Catalina Channel crossings, Lake Tahoe Length and True Width swims. Two board members, Suzie Dods and Ranie Pearce, have achieved the notable ‘Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.’