About the Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim

The race is a 2.1 mile, point to point swim that starts in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and proceeds across the waters of Lake Superior to land on beautiful Madeline Island. Swimming to Madeline Island has been a storied feat around the Bayfield area for decades.

​The event began in 2006 with 24 swimmers and has developed into the thriving event it is now with 600 swimmers.  The race serves as the largest fundraiser for the Bayfield Rec Center - supporting year round recreation, youth swimming and sailing classes, senior exercise and socializing, and a community hub.

Swimmers have encountered all of Lake Superior's moods over the years, from calm, flat water to strong crosswinds with 2 foot waves. This event is registered with and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event as a component of the Safety Team.
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Registration Policies & Deadlines

  • Refunds, Transfers & Deferrals Policy
  • Changes/Updates
  • Deadlines
  • Fundraising
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In case of individual cancellation or event cancellation due to weather, there are  NO REFUNDS, transfers, or credits. We strongly recommend cancellation insurance.
Cancellation insurance covers unexpected items that would cause you to cancel your participation. For example if you get injured or sick prior to the race or have another unexpected event. Please give serious consideration to cancellation insurance which is only available at registration time. 
Please note that cancellation insurance is purchased through a third-party vendor. You will need to save the email confirmation sent by the insurance company at the time of purchase in the event you have a claim. 
Transfering from one division to another (e.g. Competitive to Non-Competitive) can be done by emailing race director at ursula@bayfieldrec.org, before May 30, 2024.

Changing your hoodie size: Can be done by emailing race director no later than May 30, 2024 or by event sell out date, whichever comes first. Once May 30 arrives or when the event sells out, we have to place our orders for hoodies, caps, materials, and supplies for the swim therefore, no changes can be made after this date. 

Fundraising is a great way to engage your community in your open water swim journey and increase the impact you have supporting the Bayfield Rec Center.
  • We want you to have a successful and empowering fundraiser! To support you you offer
    • A fundraising guide including suggestions for setting goals, creating a timeline, and sharing your personal story
    • Personal accountability and coaching support to those who want it
  • Swimmers must raise a minimum of $300.00 by June 1, 20204 in order to qualify 
    • If you do no meet the fundraising minimum by June 1, 20204 you will forfeit your registration
  • After registering, swimmers create a fundraising page on race roster as a digital platform to collect donations
  • You may sign up as competitive or non-competitive in the fundraising category. 

Important Locations

Packet Pickup
Lakeside Pavilion
2 Front Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
Start Line
Wash. Ave. Beach
Washington Avenue
​Bayfield, WI 54814
Madeline Island Ferry
Ferry Terminal
20 Washington Avenue
​Bayfield, WI 54814
Finish Line
(Private Proerty)
Sunny Slope Rd
La Pointe, WI 54850
Awards Ceremony
​La Pointe Elementary
868  Whitefish Rd
La Pointe, WI 54850
Photo Credits: Eric Iversen
Photo Credits: Eric Iversen

Pricing Discounts

Registering early benefits everyone. The earlier you register the more you save. We offer registration pricing from 23% off for those that register before the the end of the year and up to 16% if you register before March 1, 2024.  
Pricing: 
Aug. 5 - Dec. 31, 2023 - 23% off - $160 (reg. $210)
Jan. 1 - Mar. 31, 2024 - 16% off - $175 (reg. $210)
Apr. 1 - June 30, 2024 - Regular Price - $210
Fundraising - Registration is free, however, there is a minimum fundraising commitment of $300.00
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Registration Includes: Race Entry, 2024 Point to La Pointe Hoodie, Swim Cap, Timing Chip (must be returned), Post Race Snacks, return ferry ticket back to Bayfield from Madeline Island and awards for top finishers - see divisions

Schedule

  • Packet Pickup - Fri. Aug. 2, 2024
  • Race Day - Sat. Aug. 3, 2024
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​2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lakeside Pavilion, Bayfield, WI
  • Check-in
  • Packet Pickup
  • Swag Pickup 
  • Pre-purchased merchandise pickup
  • Swimmers drop off bag with personal items that they want at the finish line on Madeline Island
    • ​change of clothes, towel, shoes, race provided return ferry ticket
Saturday, August 3, 2024
5:30-6:00am  - Race Day Last Minute Packet Pickup (Bayfield Pavilion)
6:00-6:30am - Race chip pick up + Swimmers drop off bag with personal items (Washington Ave Beach)
- bags must be dropped of by 6:30am or else they will not be at the finish line
7:00 am -  Mandatory Safety Briefing and Race Instructions
7:20am - Race Start - see swimmer information document for breakdowns
10:05am  - Pull Out - all swimmers still in the water will be pulled
11:00am  - Awards Ceremony (La Pointe Elementary School)

Swim Requirements

  • Swimming Experience
  • Wetsuits​
  • Competitive 
  • Non-Competitive
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  • All swimmers should have some open water swimming experience or be able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool.
  • Cut off time for the race is 10:05 am. Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time. Swimmers pulled from the water at the cut off time will be dropped off at the Coast Guard Station in Bayfield. Swimmers will be transported to the Pavilion where they will be provided with dried clothes and flip flops while they await for their belongings to arrive back.
  • Open Water Swim Buoys are preferred and encouraged in all divisions.
  • Swimmers must pick up their race packet in person. 
  • All swimmers must sign a waiver at the time of registration. Swimmers under 18 years of age need to have a parent sign their waiver.
  • You must be at least 14 years old to swim.
Swimming in open water is different from swimming on an open body of water.  For some swimmers, the race is over before it begins. Here's an article from swimming.org to help you overcome the most common obstacles that athletes face during an open water swim. www.swimming.org/openwater/panic-open-water-swimming/
​The Competitive Division is a competitive race. 
  • Wetsuits are required except by special permission from the Race Director. Swimmers wishing to swim without a wetsuit need to complete a  Wetsuit Application and email it to Ursula@bayfieldrec.org for approval. Shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is best in case of cold temperatures. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather (typically 63-71 degrees). ​
  • Open Water Swim Buoys are strongly recommended. (New for 2023)
  • No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, etc.) are permitted, except wetsuits and open water swim buoys.​​
 The Non-Competitive Division is not a race, but will be timed for the swimmer's interest. 
  • Swimmers should feel confident in their ability to swim 3 miles in open water.  
  • Wetsuits are required for all swimmers in the Non-Competitive Division. Shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended due to cold water temperatures (typically 63-71 degrees)
  • Fins, snorkels, and hand paddles are permitted.
  • Open Water Swim Buoys are strongly recommended.
  • If you're looking for the Community Swim, please register for the Non-Competitive Division.
  • Non-Competitive Division swimmers are covered by the Safety Team and no longer need to provide their own Safety Paddler. 

Swag

2023 Point to La Pointe Hoodie

$40.00 - $45.00

Only a few left!

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Point to La Pointe Draw String Tote Bag

$10.00
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Cotton Point to La Pointe Draw String Tote Bag

$10.00
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Point to La Pointe Sticker (new logo)

$1.00
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Point to La Pointe Sticker (old logo)

$1.00
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Point to La Pointe swim cap

$5.00
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Pointe to La Pointe

$5.00
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2022 Point to La Pointe Hoodie

$20.00

Only a few left!

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Point to La Pointe Tank Tops

$10.00

Only a few left!

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Lake Superior Jewelry

$89.00

Only a few left!

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Lake Superior with Topaz Pendant necklace

$89.00

Only a few left!

Shop

Support Us...

​We encourage our participants to support these businesses as they support their community in return.

Superior Sponsors        

Gold Sponsors

​Silver Sponsors

​Bronze Sponsors

Swimming to Madeline Island has been a storied feat around the Bayfield area for decades. Starting as a community swim for 24 people in 2006, the Point to La Pointe has grown into a thriving race that sells out annually. 
The race is a 2.1 mile, point to point swim that starts in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and proceeds across the waters of Lake Superior to land on beautiful Madeline Island. Swimming to Madeline Island has been a storied feat around the Bayfield area for decades.

The event began in 2006 with 24 swimmers and has developed into the thriving event it is now with 600 swimmers. 

Swimmers will start from beach. Large buoys will mark the course. For safety reasons, you will be expected to swim along the marked course and may be steered back on course by a safety paddler if necessary. 

Swimmers have encountered all of Lake Superior's moods over the years, from calm, flat water to strong crosswinds with 2 foot waves. This event is registered with and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event as a component of the Safety Team.

Registration is Open!

Refunds

In case of individual cancellation or event cancellation due to weather, there are NO REFUNDS, transfers, or credits. We strongly recommend cancellation insurance. Cancellation insurance is only available at registration

Contact

715-779-5408
ursula@bayfieldrec.org 
Check out the latest information and water conditions at our Facebook Page.

2023 Point to La Pointe - Courtesy of Airfox Photography

2023 Point to La Pointe - Courtesy of David Doering

2022 Point to La Pointe - Courtesy of David Doering

See why the Point to La Pointe is one of the best open water swims in the USA.
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2023 Superior Sponsors

2023 Gold Sponsors

2023 Silver Sponsors

2023 Bronze Sponsors
Bayfield is a small city of 475 people on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. It’s the gateway to the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with camping, kayaking, trails, sea caves, and beaches.

​Madeline Island has long been a vacation destination as the only one of 22 Apostle Islands that is inhabited year-round, serviced by the Madeline Island Ferry Line. August is the ideal time to experience the beautiful scenery, clean air and water, friendly people and waiting adventures of the region.
Need lodging? ​
​Where to shop?
Visit the businesses who sponsor this event.
Picture
Photo by Hannah Stonehouse Hudson

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We believe when individuals are healthy and active, our community is healthy and active. That’s why connecting our community members to affordable recreation and fitness programs in the Bayfield area is at the heart of what we do.  Your tax deductible donations directly provide affordable recreation and fitness opportunities for youth, families, adults, and seniors to rehabilitate, maintain their health, and improve their overall well-being.

Contact Us

715-779-5408
info@bayfieldrec.org
140 S Broad St | PO Box 1146
​Bayfield, WI  54814
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Recreation and Fitness Resources is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in beautiful Bayfield, WI. We provide and support affordable access to facilities, programs, classes, and events that promote health, activity, and fun. Need-based financial assistance is available. Find your fit with RFR!