Open-water event attracts first-time swimmers and elite athletes, too
Wetsuits will be optional for the more than 100 anticipated swimmers of all levels when they take to the waters of the Welland Recreational Canal on Aug. 11.
Bathing suits or swimwear are mandatory, though, as are electronic tracking devices that will record times of people taking part in the Welland Canal Open Water Swim.
“I don’t know the exact temperature, but it should be between 22 to 24 Celsius. Swimmers probably won’t need a wetsuit,” said organizer Ian Feldman.
Feldman runs the swim as owner-operator of Canaqua Sports Open Water Swim Series. It’s the second of three races he runs in Welland.
The August open-water swim will see competitors swim north from the flatwater centre on one-, 2.5-, five- and 10-kilometre courses.
The course is set at 2.5 kilometres, with swimmers doing laps for the longer swims.
“Last year, we had 90 people and I’m hoping to have just more than 100 people this year,” he said.
“We have swimmers from across Ontario, there were some from the U.S. last year and we always have a crew from Quebec.”
Feldman said the event, facilities and course in Welland attract all levels of swimmers.
Canadian Junior Open Water Swim Team member Alexander Axon used the 2018 swim as a warmup for a race in Israel.
“I spoke to his mother and she said Alexander plans on entering again this year.”
Feldman said others use the swim to prepare for triathlons. There are two coming to the flatwater centre, one in late August and one in late September.
“It’s a great entry-level race because the water is always warm, and pretty flat … we don’t get waves.”
It’s also part of Canaqua’s swim series, which hosts 13 events across the country, in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as in Ontario.
“We’ve grown quite a bit.” During the race, lifeguards will be on paddleboards, kayaks and boats to ensure competitors are safe in the water.
Feldman said last race of the season — the Canaqua Sports Open Water Swim Series season finale — is Sunday, Sept. 8, and is one of the longest races in Canada at 15 km.
There are also two 5k events that day, one of which is a twoperson team challenge with each person swimming 2.5k legs. There’s also a one-kilometre race.
More information and registration is available at www.canaquasports.com. Feldman said competitors must be at least 12 years old to enter. Anyone can register for the Sunday, Aug. 11, race by 7:30 a.m. the same day.