Race Date: August 3, 2025
Location: Locarno Beach, Vancouver BC
Distances: 10 kmWe are excited to announce the opening of registration for the 2025 Around the Bay Challenge! This year’s race will continue to keep the spirit of the Bay Challenge alive with a marathon distance route, scenic views of Vancouver, and an accomplishment worth bragging about.
Registration
Cost is $275
The tidal activity in English Bay can significantly push a swimmer off course in this race which means you will swim a greater distance than 10km.
This is a wetsuit optional race. Ocean temperatures may range from 14°C-22°C (57°F – 72°F) throughout the swim course. Wetsuits and neoprene swim caps are strongly recommended for cold-water swimming. All swimmers must wear a Safety Tow Buoy (STB) during their swim. STBs are defined as inflatable buoys tethered to the waist of the swimmer.
Prior to registration, interested swimmers must submit witnessed proof of swimming ability and pace. You must complete either a 6350m (at minimum) swim in 2 hours in a pool (1:53/100m), or complete 5600m in 2 hours in open water (2:09/100m), or proof of completion of a similar event or solo swim.
The pool swim must be without a wetsuit and the open water swim can be with or without a wetsuit. If you are submitting a pool swim as a pace qualifier, you must also show evidence of some previous open water swimming, preferably in the ocean.
This swimming must be within the last 18 months. GPS watch tracking may only be used to supplement your submission.
For race day, swimmers are required to have a paddler guide them around the course during their swim. Swimmers are encouraged to arrange their own paddler with ocean paddling experience. Kayak rentals are available. If a kayak rental is required, the paddler must have Paddle Canada Level 1 certification (or prove ability to do equivalent).
If you need help finding a paddler and/or kayak, we can help! Please contact the race directors at bayrace@vowsa.bc.ca
For questions or to submit your registration requirements for the race, please email bayrace@vowsa.bc.ca
Relay
Cost per team is $300
The ATB Challenge now has a relay option!
The 10km relay course has 3 legs:
Leg 1 (L1): Locarno to Kitsilano Beach 3.7km
Leg 2 (L2): Kitsilano Beach to English Bay Beach 1.6km
Leg 3 (L3): English Bay Beach to Locarno Beach 4.7km
Each relay requires 1 paddler per 2–3 swimmer relay team. Relay swimmers have the option to swim 1 or 2 legs of the course. Each team will need a paddler to guide them around the course as well.
Relay swimmers will still need to submit witnessed proof of ability and pace. For more information or to find out how to apply for the relay, email bayrace@vowsa.bc.ca.
The Course
Around The Bay Challenge will start and finish at Locarno Beach. There are three legs to this counter-clockwise 10km swim:
- Locarno Beach to Kitsilano Beach 3.6 km
- Kitsilano Beach to Ferguson Point 2.3 km
- Ferguson Point to Locarno Beach 4.1 km
The relay will have three legs:
Leg 1 (L1): Locarno to Kitsilano Beach 3.7km
Leg 2 (L2): Kitsilano Beach to English Bay Beach 1.6km
Leg 3 (L3): English Bay Beach to Locarno Beach 4.7km
The Schedule
Mandatory Pre-race briefing:
All swimmers and kayakers must attend the pre-race briefing on August 2nd, 2025 (the evening before the race). Briefing time and location TBD.
The exact schedule for our 2025 event is still TBD; please check back later for more details.
The cut-off
This race has a time limit as well as an intermediate cutoff at Ferguson Point. Exact time limits and cutoffs for the 2025 event are TBD. If swimmers have not met either of these cut offs, a spotter boat will pick the swimmer up and bring them to Locarno. The kayaker must return to Locarno as well.
Swimmers who do not follow the direction of the lifeguards, medical advisors or race directors, with respect to this policy, will be disqualified and picked up by a spotter boat. VOWSA also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to remove any swimmer and kayaker from the race who appears incompetent, in medical distress, or acting in an unsafe manner.
Weather and Water Quality
VOWSA reserves the right to reschedule or cancel events if water conditions are unsafe. VOWSA reserves the right to refuse entry based on safety or health concerns or previous violations of official rules.
The following links can give an idea of typical weather and water quality:
