What: 1.5km open water swim
When: SATURDAY, July 11, 2026 – 8:20 am start
Where: Ottawa River, Britannia Park
NEW IN 2025! The start and finish line for the 1.5K swim has moved to Britannia Park Windsurfers Beach. This location allows us a beach start and finish! Registration fees are the same as the Classic 3K swim.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Swim Packet Pick-up and Late Registration: Check in is Thursday, July 9th from 5-8pm and Friday, July 10th from 12-8 pm at the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC), 3259 Carling Avenue, at Dick Bell Park. While you’re there, check out the course, swim start line, and club facilities. Pick up your pre-ordered T-shirt or Towel! Enjoy a beverage and pre-race meal or snack on the Nepean Sailing Club’s deck.
Registered swimmers: If you need to change your registration (eg Wetsuit status, personal info, change from 1.5K to 3K, etc.), please sign into Race Roster to change your status. Go to your event dashboard and click the Edit Registration button.
Limited packet pick-up is available on Swim Day between 7 and 7:30 am for emergencies only, second level NSC. Please come Thursday or Friday to avoid congestion on race day morning. Your friends or family can also pick up your race kit if you can’t make it in person.
PARKING & SHUTTLE INFO
Parking is limited, so please arrive early so you have plenty of time to find a parking space and/or catch a shuttle if needed. We strongly recommend carpooling or cycling to the event, if possible.
Parking is available at the below locations. On race day, free shuttles will run between parking locations every 5-7 minutes between 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
- Nepean Sailing Club (3259 Carling Avenue) at Dick Bell Park, where the 3km starts. Shuttle pick up is right in front of the clubhouse.
- Andrew Haydon Park (3169 Carling Avenue), just a short walk immediately to the east of the Nepean Sailing Club. Shuttle pick up is at the car entrance to the parking lots on Carling Ave.
- Britannia Beach (2805 Carling Avenue) – 2 parking lots on either side of the Ron Kolbus Centre, and some street parking on Greenview Ave (leading to the lots – please check the signs carefully!). Shuttle pick up is right in front of the Ron Kolbus Centre.
Volunteers will be at the 4 parking locations directing vehicles – please follow their instructions. If all of the parking lots are full, street parking is available in the adjacent residential areas but please follow municipal parking street signage to avoid being ticketed. BOTB will not be responsible for any parking tickets received by the City if you park in a non-designated spot.
Swim Start
Bring your swimsuit, wetsuit (optional), goggles (recommended), pre-race nutrition, hydration, and sunscreen. Swim caps are mandatory and will be provided. We will provide you with a bag to drop off your shoes and extra clothing, which we will transport to the finish line. If you prefer, bring your own bag or knapsack for easier identification at the finish area. We will provide a tag with your assigned race number.
The swim will begin at 8:30 am sharp! You may warm up before the swim but please be out of the water by 8:00 am. Please follow instructions so we can get the swim started on time. Please make sure your assigned swim cap number is on both sides of your swim cap. The swim cap must be worn throughout the duration of the swim.
This will be a beach start. You will cross a timing mat before entering the water to begin your swim. We will assign two groups of swimmers according to estimated swim times. Faster swimmers will be in the first group.
Timing and results will be provided, although there will only be overall awards for this category, no age group awards. Swimmers in the 1500-metre swim will accumulate participation points and overall rank points towards the “BOTB Team Challenge”!
Safety and Swim Rules: There will be boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards patrolling the course. Swimmers may stop and hold onto a boat for the purpose of rest and recovery. No individual escorts are allowed! Swim caps must be worn during the race and are included with your race kit. Please write your assigned swim cap number on each side of your swim cap. Goggles are strongly recommended. There are no restrictions on wetsuits. Awards will be presented in both non-wetsuit and wetsuit categories.
Swim buoys are allowed (e.g. MyFloat or New Wave). However, fins, paddles, and other swim aids are NOT permitted.
Music listening devices are NOT allowed. We want you to be able to hear commands from our water safety team, possible distress calls from fellow swimmers, and cheers from the spectators on the 30 sailboats along the course!
The Swim: The swim starts at Britannia Windsurfers Beach, heads out slightly East, turns counter-clockwise at approximately 700m, swims a short 100m, and then turns back toward the beach. Swimmers in the 1.5k and 3km will gradually merge and finish together under the arch where the 1.5km started.
Plenty of kayaks, safety boats, and sailboats will be on the course to offer guidance and rest opportunities. If you need to remove yourself from the swim, we will provide you with transport to the finish line. Volunteer medical staff will be available at the finish line. Swimmers requiring medical attention during the swim may be transported prior to reaching the finish line. Remember to return your timing chip if you leave the swim early.
We have imposed a time limit of 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the swim. Remaining swimmers may be picked up from the water for swimmer safety.
Awards Presentation: A short awards presentation will take place at approximately 9:30 am. Awards medals will be presented to the top 3 male and female overall winners in both wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories. There will be no age group awards.
All participants will receive a beautiful finisher’s medal designed by Graham Ross, owner of Kid With a Crayon Art & Design. Plenty of prizes will be available, so stick around! Results will be provided onsite by Sportstats.
Bring On The Bay 