Swim smart adventures
Looking for a new challenge?
Interested to swim longer distances?
Want to spice up your open water swim life?
Join us for some incredible guided open water swims in various locations around Vancouver's Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast. Guides on paddle boards or kayaks will lead and escort you throughout the swim as we explore BC stunning coastlines.
If you are comfortable swimming 400m+ non stop while sighting and navigating in open water conditions then consider joining us. We have scouted out over 40 different swims to choose from, ranging from lakes to oceans, shoreline to Islands and from 2 to 10 km, so we have something for everyone!
Most participants will have already taken our Open Water Beginners course (or higher) and many will be following our distance swimming training plans.
See below for trip details and training plans.
SAsamat Lake
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May
Join us at Sasamat Lake in Port Moody for the first guided open water swim of the season. The calm fresh water and forested shoreline offers sheltered conditions and the hiking trial around the lake offers plenty of safe exit points.
- 2.5 km loop around the lake, approx. 60 - 75 minutes
- 1.5 km out and back to the foot bridge, approx. 30 -60 minutes
- 1 km out and back to the canoe dock, approx. 30 - 45 minutes
Amenities at White Pine Beach include paid parking, washrooms, change rooms, outdoor showers, shaded picnic areas with tables, a summer concession stand, excellent post-swim hiking trails and nearby shops and restaurants.
Click here for dates, times and to register.
Kitsilano shoreline
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June
Our first guided ocean swim of the season offers a stunning 3 km point to point swim connecting two of Vancouvers most scenic beaches - Kits and Jericho. We closely follow the shoreline and marvel at a unique view of Kitsilano's massive beachfront properties. Depending on the tide conditions, we could do this swim in either direction.
- 3 km point to point swim, approx. 90 - 120 minutes
- Option to add extra distance at the end, depending on time
Amenities at both beaches include paid parking, washrooms, change rooms, outdoor showers a summer concession stand and nearby shops and restaurants. Return transport not included, but we will help you coordinate shuttle cars before the swim begins.
Click here for dates, times and to register.
JUG ISLAND
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June
The original guided swim that started this whole adventure swimming idea! A stunning ocean peninsula swim starting in Belcarra Regional Park and following 3 km of coastline up to Jug Island with wonderful views of Indian Arm as you sight and breathe. Option to swim back making a 6 km outing, or walk back along the Jug Island Trail. Could be done in either direction depending on tide conditions.
- Full Jug is a 6 km circumnavigation, approx. 3 hours
- Half Jug is a 3 km swim with a 3 km return hike
Amenities include paid parking, washrooms, change rooms, a summer concession stand, post-swim hiking options and nearby shops and restaurants.
Click here for dates, times and to register.
Spanish banks
Sunday 5 July
Another local favourite following the beaches from Locarno, past Spanish East and West, then turning around at Acadia. We swim along the shoreline, mostly in shallow water just 25-50m away from the sand (plenty of exit points) toward the tall marker buoys that indicate shallow water of Spanish Banks. This gives us many distance options, from 2 km to 8 km - just remember your flip flops so you can get back!
- Full return swim is 8 km out and back, up to 4 hours
- Half swim 4 km and walk / carpool back
- Options for shorter swims with prior planning
Amenities include paid parking, washrooms, change rooms, a summer concession stand, post-swim refuelling at Jericho Sailing Centre.
Click here for dates, times and to register.
TWIN ISLANDS
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July
Swim up Indian Arm to an Island campsite, a truly unique experience not to be missed!
Starting in Deep Cove on Friday morning, we swim 7 km along the shoreline up to Twin Islands, camp overnight, and then on Saturday morning we do the return swim back to Deep Cove on the opposite shore, completing a very satisfying loop swim.
Since this is one of our longer adventures, you must provide proof that you are capable of completing the distance. You will need to bring your own camping supplies, food and water. We will provide a packing list and arrange a water taxi to transport the gear so you do not need to tow it as you swim!
Amenities at Deep Cove include paid parking, washrooms, change rooms, and nearby shops, cafe, restaurants and picnic areas.
Click here for dates, times and to register.
Sunshine coast adventure camp
July 24 - 27
Join us for 4-days of adventure swimming on the stunning Sunshine Coast of BC! This is our longest distance camp, covering approx. 25km of open water swimming. Most swimmers on this trip will be following our Adventure or Marathon swim training programs. Proof of ability must be provided before registration.
Example swim schedule:
- 5 km on Friday at Whytecliff Park
- 10 km on Saturday, either Trial Islands or Ruby Lake
- 5 km on Sunday, either Daniel Point or Garden Bay Lake
- 5 km on Monday at Lamb Bay Secret Channel
We are in discussions with a few vendors for group accommodations (not included) which you will pay directly to the provider. You are welcome to find your own accommodations as well. Transport and ferry not included (reservations highly recommended).
Click here for dates, times and to register.
Sunshine coast explorer camp
Aug 7 - 10
The baby-brother to our Adventure option, this 4-days camp will cover approx. 12-16 km and is a much easier entry point for most swimmers. Many swimmers on this trip will be following our Explorer or Adventure training programs. Proof of ability must be provided before registration.
Example swim schedule:
- 3 km on Friday at Whytecliff Park
- 5 km on Saturday, either Daniel Point or Garden Bay Lake
- 4 km on Sunday at Ruby Lake Slalom
- 3 km on Monday at Lamb Bay Island Hopper
We are in discussions with a few vendors for group accommodations (not included) which you will pay directly to the provider. You are welcome to find your own accommodations as well. Transport and ferry not included (reservations highly recommended).
Click here for dates, times and to register.
Our entry level program, making open water swim trips and adventures more accessible to all. This 12-week program has a flexible start date. Look at the adventures you would like to take part in and work backwards from there. We gradually build distance to get you swimming up to 4000m giving you a strong base preparing you for these summer open water trips. Once you complete this we can discuss your next steps.
Dip your toes into the cool waters for fun ocean adventures of approximately 3k or up to 90 minutes. Potential swims for you include the Deep Cove Donut, Half Jug Swim Walk, Kits to Jericho Shoreline Swim and the Lamb Bay Island Hopper as well as the following local events:
- The Coho Swim 3k
- Kits Challenge 3k
- Canada Day Challenge 4k
You are game for a bigger challenge, excited by the prospect of longer swims in the region of 5 - 7 km offering you the the chance to adventure further. Training starts with 12-weeks in the pool to build up to 6000m, then we maintain at this distance as we shift into summer open water swimming. You are in control. The further you go, the more adventures you can join, including all the Explorer trips plus:
The Full Jug, Twin Island Swim Camping, Spanish Banks Shoreline Swim and Ruby Lake Slalom and our 4-day summer swim camp and the following local events:
- Kalamalka Lake 4.5k
- Kits Challenge 6k
- Rattlesnake Island 7k
An official marathon swim is 10km or longer, so you are keen to hit challenging milestones and swim further afield. You'll explore new routes with us and set the standard for future swim camps. Options include all the Explorer and Adventurer swim plus: Trail Islands, Ruby Lake and Down Indian Arm.
Training program starts with 12-weeks in the pool to build up to 6000m and then we develop longer and longer open water swims throughout the summer, giving you the option to complete a marathon swim towards the end of the season. Let us help you get ready for local marathon events such as:
- Around The Bay Challenge 10k
- Skaha Lake Ultra 12k
- Christina Lake 18k / 36k
our swim guides
Christine
Christine
Christine
I started swimming with Stewart as part of my preparation for my first Sprint triathlon back in 2017. Since then I have competed 3 sprint, 3 Olympic, 3 half Ironman and soon to be 2x Ironman Canada! I was on the VOWSA board in a variety of positions, most notably VP during the COVID years. After planning and several
adventure swims with f
I started swimming with Stewart as part of my preparation for my first Sprint triathlon back in 2017. Since then I have competed 3 sprint, 3 Olympic, 3 half Ironman and soon to be 2x Ironman Canada! I was on the VOWSA board in a variety of positions, most notably VP during the COVID years. After planning and several
adventure swims with friends I realized just how much fun you can have doing cool trips while swimming and now I really enjoy helping others achieve their big goals.
Alex
Christine
Christine
I started swimming with Stewart as part of my preparation for my first Sprint triathlon back in 2012. Since then I accomplished many triathlons, running, and swim races including Ironman Canada, two ITU Long Distance triathlons. Recently I shifted my focus to long-distance swimming and have now finished the Skaha Lake 12k Ultra Swim three
I started swimming with Stewart as part of my preparation for my first Sprint triathlon back in 2012. Since then I accomplished many triathlons, running, and swim races including Ironman Canada, two ITU Long Distance triathlons. Recently I shifted my focus to long-distance swimming and have now finished the Skaha Lake 12k Ultra Swim three times and crossed Bosphorus Channel from Asia to Europe. More recently I have been helping with planning and guiding Swim Smart open water adventures.
Stephen
Christine
Stephen
Stephen gained confidence and fell in love with open water swimming with the help of Coach Stewart’s program while training for his first Ironman in 2015. He is a chronic masters swimmer and has honoured his core value of freedom to explore by participating in many open water swim camps in the Adriatic, Red and South China Seas, the Persi
Stephen gained confidence and fell in love with open water swimming with the help of Coach Stewart’s program while training for his first Ironman in 2015. He is a chronic masters swimmer and has honoured his core value of freedom to explore by participating in many open water swim camps in the Adriatic, Red and South China Seas, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman (in addition to his long distance cycling adventures). Stephen is a certified National Waterfront Lifeguard with the Royal Canadian Lifesaving Society and looks forward to supporting your experience in a good, safe and fun way.