Canaqua Pinawa II

The Canaqua Pinawa II is a 3,000-metre open water swim held on the Winnipeg River, scheduled for August 8, 2026. This race follows the seasonal calendar of the Canaqua Sports series, taking place in the height of the Manitoba summer. Swimmers launch from Pinawa Beach, navigating a river environment defined by the rugged geology of the Boreal Shield. Athletes preparing for this distance may also consider the Canaqua Pinawa I, which occurs on July 4, offering a different pacing opportunity earlier in the season.

The water and the landscape

The river flow in this section is heavily influenced by the Seven Sisters Generating Station. As the largest hydroelectric facility on the Winnipeg River, it manages a discharge of 1,146 cubic metres per second, creating a notable 18.6-metre drop between the forebay and the tailrace that dictates the character of the swim. While navigating the channel, swimmers pass near the Whitemouth Falls Provincial Park. This area is home to three ancient burial grounds, marking a deep history of human presence that sits silently alongside the modern course.

Beyond the water, the surroundings are defined by a high density of white-tailed deer, which frequently graze near the riverbanks. Pinawa is widely recognized as the Deer Capital of Manitoba, and it is not uncommon to spot these animals in the quiet zones along the shoreline during the event morning. The surrounding terrain, characterized by dense boreal forests and rocky outcrops, remains a constant backdrop for the 3,000-metre effort, providing a technical swim experience within a protected ecological setting.