Open Water Swimming vs Wild Swimming
Published by My Mind is Racing
Open water swimming and wild swimming both describe swimming in natural bodies of water — lakes, rivers, and the sea — rather than in a pool. The two terms overlap almost completely. The difference is mostly one of framing and region rather than the activity itself: "open water swimming" leans sporting and competitive, while "wild swimming" leans recreational and nature-focused.
What is open water swimming?
Open water swimming is swimming in any natural body of water outside a pool, usually with a sporting or training framing. The term covers timed races, distance challenges, and the swim leg of a triathlon, and it is the standard label used by event organizers and governing bodies worldwide. Marathon swimming — the 10 km open water event — has been an Olympic discipline since 2008, while open water races at shorter distances, such as the 5 km and 25 km World Aquatics events, are common at lakes and along coastlines. If a swim has a start line, a distance, and a result, it is almost always called open water swimming.
What is wild swimming?
Wild swimming is swimming in natural water for recreation, adventure, and wellbeing rather than competition. The term carries a cold-water, nature-immersion flavour: a dip in a tarn, a river, or the sea, often valued for the scenery and the mental-health benefits rather than for any time on the clock. It is closely associated with cold-water and winter swimming, and the phrase has surged in popularity, particularly in the United Kingdom, where books and media helped repopularise it over the past two decades.
How are open water and wild swimming similar?
In practice, a wild swimmer and an open water swimmer in the same lake are doing the same thing. Both happen in the same places — lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the sea — and both rely on the same core skills and safety habits: judging water temperature, respecting currents and tides, sighting without a black line to follow, managing cold-water shock, and not swimming alone. The kit overlaps too, from a wetsuit to a brightly coloured tow float and goggles. Strip away the labels and the activity is identical.
How do open water and wild swimming differ?
The difference is mostly connotation. Open water swimming tends to imply a sporting context — races, timed events, measured distances, and triathlon swim legs — and a focus on training and performance. Wild swimming tends to imply the opposite: an unhurried dip, cold-water immersion, and time spent in nature with no result to record. The line between them is soft, and plenty of swimmers do both: a structured race one weekend and a quiet sunrise swim the next.
Is the difference just regional?
To a large extent, yes. "Wild swimming" is chiefly a British and broader Commonwealth coinage whose modern popularity is widely credited to Roger Deakin's 1999 book Waterlog; it spread further through nature writing and the outdoor swimming revival of the 2000s and 2010s. In North America and in international sport, the standard term is "open water swimming". The two are not perfectly interchangeable: "open water swimming" is the neutral, globally understood label that governing bodies and race organizers use, while "wild swimming" carries a recreational, romantic flavour and is rarely used to describe a competition. But for someone swimming across a lake on a Saturday morning, the words point at the same stretch of water and the same activity.
Which one are you looking for?
If you want a timed race, a distance challenge, or a triathlon swim leg, search for open water swimming events. If you are after a relaxed dip, a cold-water immersion, or a nature swim with no clock, "wild swimming" describes the experience you have in mind — though the organised events you find may still be listed under the open water label, because that is the term most organizers use. On this site, swims in natural water are tagged Open Water.
Notable open water swims
These are real open water swimming events, not triathlons that merely include a swim leg:
- Across the Lake Swim Kelowna (Kelowna, British Columbia) — a long-running lake crossing.
- Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim (Bayfield, Wisconsin) — an open water swim across Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay.
- Bring on the Bay 1.5K & 3K Open Water Swim (Ottawa, Ontario) — a choose-your-distance bay swim.
- Sylvan Lake Open Water Swim (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) — a central-Alberta lake swim.
- Mahogany Beach 2 Beach Open Water Swim (Calgary, Alberta) — a lake swim in Calgary's Mahogany community.
- Collingwood Open Water Swim (Collingwood, Ontario) — a Georgian Bay swim.
- Welland Canal Open Water Swim (Welland, Ontario) — a swim on the historic Welland Canal.
- LOST Swimming Open Water Group Swim (Oakville, Ontario) — a Lake Ontario group swim run by the Lake Ontario Swim Team (LOST).
- Meridian Swim Ruataniwha (Twizel, New Zealand) — a South Island lake swim.
- Wreck2Reef Open Water Swim (St Leonards, Victoria, Australia) — a coastal swim on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Upcoming races
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FeaturedEvery Saturday at 8:00 AM (June-August)
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 7:30 AMSee full details
ake Quassapaug is a 296 acre lake situated in Middlebury, CT. Quassy Amusement Park, Lake Quassapaug, Rt. 64 (2132 Middlebury Road) Middlebury, CT 06762 | P.O. Box 887 1-800-FOR-PARK or 203-758-2913 Fax: 203-598-7261 | [email protected] www.quassy.com Quassy was founded as an amusement park in 1908, sitting on the south shore of Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury, Connecticut. On 20 plus acres, it boasts 22 amusement rides, a new Splash Away Bay Water Park and the beautiful Quassy beach. Water Quality Information: http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2799&q=488556 Changing into or out of swimsuits other than in locker rooms or other designated areas is prohibited. Meet Management may restrict access to specific competition areas, including the start, competition course, and finish areas. Only athletes, coaches, officials, and official meet staff actively participating in the meet shall be permitted in these areas. All coaches must present a valid USA Swimming coach card to the Meet Director prior
to the commencement of any sanctioned swim meet, and must have this card with them to enter restricted areas of the race venue.
Event details and schedule
Open to all FULL USA Swimming member athletes registered prior to first day of the meet. • Must be a registered Full USA Swimming athlete to enter. • A one-day CT Swimming/USA Swimming Membership registration is available for this event, but it MUST be completed prior to event day. No event-day USA/CT Swimming registrations will be permitted. See “Individual Entries” below. 1-day registration is NOT valid for the 5K. • Age on June 27, 2026 will determine age for the meet. Recommended entry standards: • For 12 and under events, Minimum of BB time standard in the 500yd freestyle or the 400M freestyle or successfully completed a minimum of a 500M open water swim in a bay, river, lake or at a beach. • For 13 - 14 and 15-18 events: Minimum of an A time standard in the 1000yd, 1650yd, 800M, or 1500M freestyle or successfully completed a minimum of a 1K open water in a bay, river, lake or at a beach. • For Senior/Open Event: Minimum of a AA time standard in the 1000yd, 1650yd, 800M, or 1500M
freestyle for 15-18 Age Group or successfully completed a minimum of a 1K open water in a bay, river, lake or at a beach. • Athletes not completing the 5K within 1 hour and 30 minutes may be removed from the course at the discretion of Meet Management
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 12:00 PMSee full details
The inaugural Sourdough Starter Triathlon will be held at North Lake within the Chena Lakes Recreation Area. The lake is accessible by crossing over the (locked access) Chena River weir and continuing another 1.5 miles or so to the end of the dike.
Participants will swim 500 yards in a one-lap circle around buoys in the shallow pond. Then the 6.7 mile bike leg is on dirt trails and roads. Finally, the 3.1 mile run goes counter-clockwise around the pond and down a two-lane track to the river and back. There is a 99-participant limit.
We want to encourage people who are ready for a next-level challenge after the Breakup Triathlon to do an open water race. You won't find calmer water than this for your first open water swim. Come check it out!
Sourdough Starter?
It makes perfect sense, actually. The Sourdough Triathlon, a 34-year tradition and the only 70.3 mile race in Alaska, saw its final run in 2025. We wanted to offer something in its place and opted for a sprint to help grow racers' confidence in open water swimming. We hope some competitors will stretch after this race to a longer event, like our North Pole Olympic distance race, and eventually enter a 70.3 mile event and maybe even an Ironman.
Event details and schedule
Sourdough Starter Triathlon will be held at North Lake within Chena Lakes Recreation Area, starting at noon on Saturday, June 27. All transitions will be at the lake.
Access to the lake and the entire course is only available by appointment. We plan to offer two course previews in June, one on a weeknight and another on a Saturday. Registered participants will receive an email with the details.
Registration opens Feb. 1 and will close when 99 participants have registered. If registration fills up, we will keep a waiting list and will contact those folks if participants cancel. Those on the waitlist will not be charged until their registration is confirmed.
Entry fees are listed below. USA Triathlon membership is also required. If you are not a USAT member you will need to buy either a single-event pass ($14 for age 18+) or an annual membership ($10 age 17 and under, $40 age 18-23, $64 age 24+) to participate. Minimum age to participate is 14 years as of 12/31/26. Refunds are only available to those who purchase ACTIVE Refund. Transfers to another event are not available. Note: it is not necessary to be an Active member to register.
Registration Prices
Feb 1 – June 9 $45
June 10 – June 23 $65
June 24 $85
Registration closes at 5:00 pm AST on June 24
We do our best to mark the course clearly, however RACERS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE ROUTE.
An optional course preview is available on Saturday, June 13. Meet at the very end of Lawrence Road where there's an uphill ramp to the locked gate; we will depart promptly at 11 am to drive through the gate. Once inside, we will drive another 1.5 miles to the lake for a look at the pond, the bike and run courses. Bring your bike and/or running shoes. We will have a two-hour window to look around then return to the gate at 1:00 pm to be let across the river once again. Please respect the park ranger’s time and be punctual.
A second course preview opportunity will be provided on Tuesday, June 16 when we will gather to cross the river at 6 pm and stay until 8 pm.
Other things to know:
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Race packet pickup will be Thursday, June 25 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at HooDoo Brewing. USAT card and photo ID are required to pick up your bib. One day memberships will need a photo ID only. Due to USAT rules, each racer must pick up their own packet.
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On race day, the transition area opens at 10 am and closes at 11:30 am. All racers, spectators and others – except race officials – must clear this area at 11:30 am. The transition area will remain closed until all athletes have completed the race.
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Bike racks will be available for everyone
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The pre-race meeting will be at 11:30 am
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Check-in must be completed no later than 30 minutes prior to race start; those arriving after this time will not be allowed to participate
Awards will be given to the top three men and women.
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026See full details
Gliding through the turquoise waters of Grace Bay will be the most beautiful swim you have ever esxpereinced. We have three races at different distances, so something for everyone. This event appeals to swimmers new to open water racing, as well as experienced competitors out to win a conch trophy. By the way, everyone gets a hand carved conch medal around their neck when they run across the finish line. Finally, there is the cool beach vibe of swimmer comraderie--everyone enjoying the beach, the swim, and the island.
Event details and schedule
Check out the website www.ecoseaswim.com for race info, including rules and race course map.
Here are the race time starts: 8:00 am 2.4 Mile, 10:00 am 1 Mile, and 11:00 am 1/2 mile
Please be sure to check in on the beach for your race number at least 1 hour before the start.
Build in time to walk from parking space to beach at Rickie's Flamingo Cafe. Consider staying at one of the nearby hotel which are within easy walking distance of the event along the beach.
Bring extra pair of goggles, hat, sunglasses, rash guard to protect against sun, and reef safe sunscreen. We will have reef safe sunscreen on the beach for you if you don't have any.
Note: No fins, no snorkles, and no goggles with navigation aid.
Be sure to hydrate with electrolytes well before the race and warm up before the race!
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 7:30 AM
CSI Open Water Championship | Connecticut Swimming | Connecticut Swimming
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wild swimming the same as open water swimming?
Largely yes. Both mean swimming in natural water outside a pool. The difference is framing and region: open water swimming leans sporting and competitive, while wild swimming leans recreational and nature-focused, but the activity is the same.
What is the difference between open water swimming and wild swimming?
The difference is mostly connotation. Open water swimming implies races, timed events, distances, and triathlon swim legs, while wild swimming implies an unhurried dip, cold-water immersion, and time in nature with no clock. Many swimmers do both.
Where did the term wild swimming come from?
Wild swimming is chiefly a British and Commonwealth term whose modern popularity is widely credited to Roger Deakin's 1999 book Waterlog, alongside the broader outdoor swimming revival of the 2000s and 2010s. In North America and international sport, open water swimming is the standard label.
Is open water swimming a competitive sport?
Yes. Marathon swimming, the 10 km open water event, has been an Olympic discipline since 2008, and open water races at shorter distances such as 5 km and 25 km are common at lakes and coastlines. Open water swimming is also the format used for the swim leg of a triathlon.
Do you need a wetsuit for open water or wild swimming?
It depends on the water temperature and the event rules. Many swimmers wear a wetsuit for warmth and buoyancy in cold water, while others swim skins. A brightly coloured tow float is widely recommended for visibility and safety in both.
How do I find an open water swim near me?
Use our event listing filtered by the Open Water tag to see upcoming open water swims by location and date.