Cemetery Island Open Water Swim
Sunday, August 29, 2027
8:00 AM MDT
Helena, Montana
$48.70 · 2 races
5km, 1 Mile
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating Cemetery Island Open Water Swim on Sunday, August 29, 2027, at beautiful Canyon Ferry Lake, just 20 miles east of Helena, Montana! This exciting event features two race distances: a challenging 5K swim around stunning Cemetery Island and a shorter 1-mile out-and-back route. Both races kick off at 8 AM MDT from the Cave Bay Day Use Area, promising a fantastic day of competition and camaraderie.
With a limit of just 100 competitors, this unique event not only offers swimmers a chance to test their skills in open water but also fosters a spirit of fun, fitness, and friendship among participants from across the Northwest. Early registration opens on January 1, 2027, so mark your calendars and prepare for a memorable experience. Spectators can enjoy the action from great vantage points, and there are nearby campgrounds for those looking to make a weekend of it. Don't miss your chance to dive into this incredible swimming adventure!
With a limit of just 100 competitors, this unique event not only offers swimmers a chance to test their skills in open water but also fosters a spirit of fun, fitness, and friendship among participants from across the Northwest. Early registration opens on January 1, 2027, so mark your calendars and prepare for a memorable experience. Spectators can enjoy the action from great vantage points, and there are nearby campgrounds for those looking to make a weekend of it. Don't miss your chance to dive into this incredible swimming adventure!
Races
-
Opens in 1 month
5k Swim
Incl. $3.70 Fee & T-Shirt
The event will be limited to 100 competitors (seventy 5Kers + thirty 1-milers). You must be at least 13 on race day to participate. There will be a mandatory pre-race meeting at 7:30 am. Late August water temperatures in Canyon Ferry Lake typically hover around 70 degrees F. Swimmers can wear wet suits, or just swim suits. There will not be separate categories for suits and skins. Fins and paddles are not allowed.
8:00 AM MDT
$48.70
-
Opens in 1 month
1 Mile Swim
Incl. $3.70 Fee & T-Shirt
The event will be limited to 100 competitors (seventy 5Kers + thirty 1-milers). You must be at least 13 on race day to participate. There will be a mandatory pre-race meeting at 7:30 am. Late August water temperatures in Canyon Ferry Lake typically hover around 70 degrees F. Swimmers can wear wet suits, or just swim suits. There will not be separate categories for suits and skins. Fins and paddles are not allowed.
8:00 AM MDT
$48.70
Organiser's description
Early registration opens January 1st, 2027. CLICK HERE https://photos.app.goo.gl/qvoo5Nqy7Eppae3w6 to see photos of the race area.
THE CEMETERY ISLAND OPEN WATER SWIM will take place in Canyon Ferry Lake, 20 miles east of Helena, Montana. The 5K and 1-mile races will both start at 8 am MDT on Sunday 8/29/27 from the Cave Bay Day Use Area. The 1-mile race will be an out and back route, whereas the 5K route will go out around Cemetery Island and back to Cave Bay. The event is limited to 100 competitors.
GOALS: The 5K race provides an opportunity for open water swimmers to test their mettle with an around-the-island route in Canyon Ferry Lake. The event will bring together swimmers from throughout the Northwest, promoting lifelong swimming and all the good things that go with it - fun, fitness, and friendship. Money left over after the bills are paid will be distributed this way: 80% to Aspen Adult Services, an organization that provides enriching services to developmentally-disabled Montanans, 20% to be saved for next years race.
PACKET PICK-UP: Times and location will be determined.
DIRECTIONS: The race site is 20 miles east of Helena. From Helena, follow Canyon Ferry Road (Highway 284) out to the lake and over the dam. After crossing the dam, continue for 2.25 miles and then turn right (south) into the Cave Bay Day Use Area (and Kim's Marina). From the turn-off it is a short drive to the starting and parking areas.
SPECTATORS: Drivers can drop off spectators and/or competitors in the starting area, before parking nearby. The pavilion is a good viewpoint for spectators, and there is another higher vantage point on the opposite side (northwest side) of Cave Bay that can be accessed by hiking less than half a mile from Chinamen's Campground (great spot for photographers). Remind race fans to bring their binoculars!
There are two CAMPGROUNDS within a mile of the race site - Chinamen's Campground and Court Sheriff Campground. Reservations for campsites can be made through recreation.gov. Court Sheriff is better suited for trailers because its roads are paved.
REGISTRATION: Early registration runs January 1st through February 28th: $45. From March 1st-July 31st the fee is $55. For those who register in August the fee will be $65.
AGE GROUP DIVISIONS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ . . . Results will be posted on the RACE WEBSITE https://bigskywalker.com/swim within 24 hours after completion of the event.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
PREPARATION FOR AN OPEN WATER SWIM: It is up to you to train and make sure you can safely swim in open water before participating in the race. The transition from training in a pool to swimming in open water (waves, wind, sun, cold water, no line to follow) is challenging. Please be sure you have swum in open water at least a few times before participating is this race.
SAFETY: We will update racers on any current precautions and requirements on race day. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, and prepare accordingly. There will be several race monitors in motorboats and kayaks around the perimeter of the route. Two Lewis & Clark County Search and Rescue boats will be present as well.
PRE-RACE MEETING: All swimmers are required to attend the pre-race meeting in the starting area at 7:30 am to learn about water conditions, sighting on the course, emergency procedures, etc.
SWIMMER IDENTIFICATION: Swimmers will be required to wear the cap marked with their number (included in race packet).
WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS: We will monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the days prior to the event and make any necessary announcements. Please check this Runsignup website for updates. We will check the AQI at 5 am on race day, and communicate updates via email and social media. Here are the guidelines we will follow:
* AQI 0-150: No changes to event.
* AQI 151-180: All athletes will be allowed to compete in the 1-mile race (5K option will not be available).
* AQI 180: The event will be cancelled for the safety of athletes, spectators, and volunteers. Event personnel will be on site as a secondary communication point that the race has been canceled.
THE CEMETERY ISLAND OPEN WATER SWIM will take place in Canyon Ferry Lake, 20 miles east of Helena, Montana. The 5K and 1-mile races will both start at 8 am MDT on Sunday 8/29/27 from the Cave Bay Day Use Area. The 1-mile race will be an out and back route, whereas the 5K route will go out around Cemetery Island and back to Cave Bay. The event is limited to 100 competitors.
GOALS: The 5K race provides an opportunity for open water swimmers to test their mettle with an around-the-island route in Canyon Ferry Lake. The event will bring together swimmers from throughout the Northwest, promoting lifelong swimming and all the good things that go with it - fun, fitness, and friendship. Money left over after the bills are paid will be distributed this way: 80% to Aspen Adult Services, an organization that provides enriching services to developmentally-disabled Montanans, 20% to be saved for next years race.
PACKET PICK-UP: Times and location will be determined.
DIRECTIONS: The race site is 20 miles east of Helena. From Helena, follow Canyon Ferry Road (Highway 284) out to the lake and over the dam. After crossing the dam, continue for 2.25 miles and then turn right (south) into the Cave Bay Day Use Area (and Kim's Marina). From the turn-off it is a short drive to the starting and parking areas.
SPECTATORS: Drivers can drop off spectators and/or competitors in the starting area, before parking nearby. The pavilion is a good viewpoint for spectators, and there is another higher vantage point on the opposite side (northwest side) of Cave Bay that can be accessed by hiking less than half a mile from Chinamen's Campground (great spot for photographers). Remind race fans to bring their binoculars!
There are two CAMPGROUNDS within a mile of the race site - Chinamen's Campground and Court Sheriff Campground. Reservations for campsites can be made through recreation.gov. Court Sheriff is better suited for trailers because its roads are paved.
REGISTRATION: Early registration runs January 1st through February 28th: $45. From March 1st-July 31st the fee is $55. For those who register in August the fee will be $65.
AGE GROUP DIVISIONS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ . . . Results will be posted on the RACE WEBSITE https://bigskywalker.com/swim within 24 hours after completion of the event.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
PREPARATION FOR AN OPEN WATER SWIM: It is up to you to train and make sure you can safely swim in open water before participating in the race. The transition from training in a pool to swimming in open water (waves, wind, sun, cold water, no line to follow) is challenging. Please be sure you have swum in open water at least a few times before participating is this race.
SAFETY: We will update racers on any current precautions and requirements on race day. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, and prepare accordingly. There will be several race monitors in motorboats and kayaks around the perimeter of the route. Two Lewis & Clark County Search and Rescue boats will be present as well.
PRE-RACE MEETING: All swimmers are required to attend the pre-race meeting in the starting area at 7:30 am to learn about water conditions, sighting on the course, emergency procedures, etc.
SWIMMER IDENTIFICATION: Swimmers will be required to wear the cap marked with their number (included in race packet).
WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS: We will monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the days prior to the event and make any necessary announcements. Please check this Runsignup website for updates. We will check the AQI at 5 am on race day, and communicate updates via email and social media. Here are the guidelines we will follow:
* AQI 0-150: No changes to event.
* AQI 151-180: All athletes will be allowed to compete in the 1-mile race (5K option will not be available).
* AQI 180: The event will be cancelled for the safety of athletes, spectators, and volunteers. Event personnel will be on site as a secondary communication point that the race has been canceled.
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Location
Cave Bay, Helena, 59602, MT, United States
Cemetery Island Open Water Swim
Event data
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