Across the Lake Swim Westwood Lake

In 1791, the Spanish expedition commanded by Francisco de Eliza charted these waters, bestowing the name Bocas de Winthuysen upon the harbor that would later become Nanaimo. While those early mariners navigated the complex channels of the Strait of Georgia, today’s swimmers trace a different path, finding their rhythm in the freshwater expanse of Westwood Lake. This venue acts as a gateway to the region’s rugged topography, where the rounded peak of Mount Benson stands as a silent spectator, its profile sculpted by the massive ice sheets that once ground through this basin during the last glacial epoch.

Race Day Logistics

Participants select from 1.5km, 2.5km, and 5km distances, navigating a loop course that benefits from the lake's sheltered position high above the city. The event, held annually in early summer, requires a pre-race check-in at Second Beach, where the atmosphere often recalls the city’s eccentric maritime history—most notably the legacy of Mayor Frank J. Ney, whose penchant for pirate costumes inspired the famous bathtub races of the Nanaimo Marine Festival. For those seeking additional water time in the area, the Nanaimo Open Water Swim and SwimRun Challenge arrives later in the season, offering a distinct contrast to the lake’s calm, contained environment.

Historical Landmarks

As you swim, the surrounding landscape serves as a reminder of the area’s transformation from a colonial outpost to a modern hub. The historic Nanaimo Bastion, built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the mid-1850s, remains an anchor for the waterfront, while the nearby Buttertubs Marsh provides a starkly different ecological sanctuary for local birdlife. While the 1951 PBY Catalina crash on the slopes of Mount Benson remains a somber chapter in the regional memory, the current race atmosphere is defined by the steady, measured effort of swimmers moving across the water's surface, far removed from the urban bustle of the city center.