Donner Lake Open Water Swim – Race Information
2.7 Miles
Saturday August Pending at 8:30 am
Water Temp: 65 -68°
Truckee, CA
Altitude: 5933 ft.
Sanctioned by Pacific Masters Swimming for USMS, Inc. 2024 Pending
Poor Air Quality May Affect This Year’s Race
Read the LATEST INFORMATION
Changes have been made to the check-in procedure and precise location of the finish. An air quality impact statement is also included.
All Donner Lake Swim participants should have received a copy of restrictions imposed by Pacific Masters Swimming and U. S. Masters Swimming and adopted by the Donner Lake Swim Committee regarding the impact of poor air quality on conducting the race. Please review the policy.
LOCATION: Donner Lake, Truckee, CA. Located 35 miles west of Reno, NV and 100 miles east of Sacramento, CA. via Interstate 80. The start is at the east end of the lake by Donner Memorial State Park; the finish is at West End Beach.
COURSE: Straight, point-to-point, 2.7 miles. Expect water temperature 65 – 68 degrees. Altitude is 5933 ft.
WARNING: Participants should be adequately trained for this competition, which combines high altitude, cool water temperatures, and a lengthy swim. Previous experience in similar conditions is highly recommended.
SWIM PROCEDURES: Pre-race instructions at 8:15 AM followed by a beach start at 8:30. A 2-hour 30-minute time limit will be STRICTLY enforced. If you fail to finish the race within the time limit, you will be disqualified and removed from the water. There are NO EXCEPTIONS; you will be removed from the water after 2 hours and 30 minutes.
COVID: The Donner Lake Swim will be following USMS, local and state COVID guidelines. Swimmers must follow these guidelines to participate in the swim.
RACE RESULTS: Race results will be in 2 categories. Category 1 suits (suits made from textile materials,shall not cover the neck, and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles, no clasps, or zippers). Category 2 suits (wetsuits or technical suites – Speedo Lazer, Blue 70s, rash guards and arm bands, no tape on the body).
ENTRIES: This event is open to 450 swimmers. Non-refundable, non-transferable entry fees are $85 per person if you pre-register; $ 150 per person, for registration on race day. Registration opens June 1, 2022 at 8:30 AM. Registration for this event will only be available at ClubAssistant. Your credit card will be charged by DonnerLakeSwim.org for this meet. No mail in entries will be accepted. Online registration closes August 1, 2022. If the Donner Lake Open Water Swim sells out before race day, there will be NO race-day registration.
DIVISIONS: Masters divisions 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.; male and female. No entrants under 18 years of age are permitted.
CHECK-IN: Check-in and race day registration will begin at 6:30 AM and close at 8:00 AM. Pre-race instructions will take place at 8:15 AM.
SHIRTS: Shirts may be ordered at CustomInk
AWARDS: Special awards will be presented to the first Category 1 woman and man to finish (18+ and 40+) and the top three finishers in each Category 1 age group. All entrants will receive an official race cap and post-race refreshments. There are no awards for Category 2 swimwear.
PARKING: This is a point-to-point swim with parking available in designated parking areas at the start and at the finish. At the start of the race, you may park at the Donner Museum parking lot for a fee or on the south side of Donner Pass Road (absolutely NO parking on the north side of Donner Pass Road). At the finish, you may park at the West End Beach parking lot. A shuttle will operate between the start and finish from 6:30 AM to noon. Spectators must pay the West End Beach admission fee. Animals are not allowed in the park.
TIMING: Timing for this event will be provided by Lynn Mentzer.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Accommodations in the area are limited, so make your reservations early! Campers should call 800-444-PARK for reservations for Donner Memorial State Park (located at the start of the race).
SAFETY: Bright colored caps will be provided and must be worn during the swim. The course will be patrolled by safety craft, both motorized and non-motorized. Life jackets and “man in water” flags are required on all craft. Complete safety information for swimmers can be found on the Event Safety page. Please read carefully!
KAYAK: If you want to kayak for the race, contact James Conkey.
EQUIPMENT: The use of fins, pull buoys or other swimming devices shall not be permitted except that soft hand paddles may be used as a prosthesis, if they do not present a safety hazard to the other swimmers
MOTORIZED BOATS: If you wish to volunteer to have a motorized boat on the water, please contact Susan Sorensen.
WARM-UP: A designated warm-up area will be provided from 8:00 – 8:15 am. All swimmers wishing to warm-up prior to the race must do so in the designated warm-up area.
RACE DIRECTOR: Laura Harsh. Contact Laura.
RACE START: All swimmers must be out of the water at 8:15 am.
Registration and Finish Areas Maps
