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About the Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim
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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. |
Registration Policies & Deadlines
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.
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.
Transferring from one division to another (e.g. Competitive to Non-Competitive) or changing your Hoodie size can be done by emailing race director before May 30, 2024 or before event sells out, whichever comes first.
This deadline allows us to place our orders for hoodies, caps, materials, and supplies for the swim. Once everything has been ordered, changes can no longer be accommodated. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the race director via email or phone.
Email Director: ursula@bayfieldrec.org Phone: 715-779-5408.
This deadline allows us to place our orders for hoodies, caps, materials, and supplies for the swim. Once everything has been ordered, changes can no longer be accommodated. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the race director via email or phone.
Email Director: ursula@bayfieldrec.org Phone: 715-779-5408.
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.
- Swimmers must raise a minimum of $300.00 by June 1, 2024 in order to qualify
- If you do no meet the fundraising minimum by June 1, 2024 you will forfeit your registration
- After registering, swimmers create a fundraising page on race roster as a digital platform to collect donations
- We want you to have a successful and empowering fundraiser! To support you we 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
- You may sign up as competitive or non-competitive in the fundraising category.
Open Water Swim Clinics
This year we are partnering with an open-water swim coach, Natalie Stephano Anderson, to offer a training program for participants who would like extra support, fun, and community preparing for the Point to La Pointe race in August.
An exciting opportunity for those of you who are new to open water swimming and semi-local to Bayfield, WI.
Swimming from Bayfield to Madeline Island in beautiful Lake Superior is a magical experience and we want anyone who wants to do it to have the support they need to get in the water safely and swim across. We are offering this extra support for our race because we know that not everyone is an elite level athlete, and we want our race to be accessible to everyone who wants to take on the challenge.
The Open Water Swim Clinic includes:
The Angel Swim Clinic includes:
Cost
Time investment:
This program is for you if you:
An exciting opportunity for those of you who are new to open water swimming and semi-local to Bayfield, WI.
Swimming from Bayfield to Madeline Island in beautiful Lake Superior is a magical experience and we want anyone who wants to do it to have the support they need to get in the water safely and swim across. We are offering this extra support for our race because we know that not everyone is an elite level athlete, and we want our race to be accessible to everyone who wants to take on the challenge.
The Open Water Swim Clinic includes:
- Weekly personalized workouts emailed to you Mid-January through Mid-July
- Monthly in person skills reviews at the Bayfield Rec Center with Coach Natalie
- Open water drill practice in Lake Superior for the 4 weeks prior to the Point to La Pointe swim (water temperature dependent)
The Angel Swim Clinic includes:
- Everything in the Open Water Swim Clinic, plus
- Coach Natalie will swim by your side for the entire Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim.
- Only 2 spots are available
Cost
- $100 per month for 6 months (or $600 up front)
- If you are participating in the Angel Swim, one-time fee of $125 to cover the cost of Coach Natalie’s registration to swim next to you
- This 7 month personalized training program is valued at $1800 but we are offering it for $600 as part of a group package
- We can offer up to 25% off for financial aid for those who qualify making it $75 per month.
Time investment:
- Three to five hours of individual practice time in a pool per week January - July
- One hour of coaching with Natalie per month January – June (in person at the Bayfield Rec Center) Scheduled on Thursdays and if there is a snow day it will be rescheduled to a Saturday/Sunday
- One hour of coaching with Natalie per WEEK, open water in July (in person, Lake Superior)
This program is for you if you:
- Are at a beginner swimmer/fitness level or you do not consider yourself an athlete.
- Want to be part of a learning and training community.
- Want to be competent in the safety and techniques required for the sport of open water swimming.
- Can swim 500 yards in a pool.
- Want to have fun while you train!
- Plan to train seriously in a pool January – July
- Can make it to Bayfield, WI once per month to meet with Coach Natalie for in-person skill reviews and progress check ups.
- Have completed long distance open water swims in the past.
- Are not certain you want to train for the full 6 months, or you know you will miss significant portions of the training schedule.
- Are deathly afraid of open water.
- Are a crybaby. (lol)
Natalie Stephano Anderson is a fitness professional who has years helping individuals of all ages with overall body fitness with aquatics. Stroke technique, aquatics running, and endurance regimes for training and prepping for any open water completion. Natalie worked with a Point to La Pointe swimmer in 2022 and 2023 with amazing success – supporting the swimmer through training and completion and she is excited to offer more support to beginning open water swimmers this year.
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Ursula M. Garrison is the Swim Director of the Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim and at the Bayfield Rec Center.
She's happy that we have been able to connect with coach Natalie so that we can offer this amazing program to support swimmers who may be looking for additional help in reaching their swim goals or who may not otherwise attempt the swim on their own. She is looking forward to another Point to La Pointe. |
Natalie Davenport works at the Bayfield Rec Center as the membership manager and serves as the volunteer and open water swim clinic coordinator for the Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim. She also works as a life coaching supporting young adults to find clarity and meaning in their lives so that they can contribute to their communities with more focus and ease. She has completed the P2LP swim the last 2 years and is over joyed to offer more support to beginner swimmers who want to be in Lake Superior.
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After You Apply:
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Swim Requirements
Click for 2023 Swimmer Info Packet
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All swimmers are required to wear a wetsuit. If you would like to swim without a wetsuit, you must apply in advance for permission from the race director (specific non-wetsuit experience is required). Water temperatures will be announced during the mandatory safety briefing.
The Competitive Division is a competitive race.
The Non-Competitive Division is not a race, but will be timed for the swimmer's interest.
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Important Locations
Packet Pickup
Lakeside Pavilion 2 Front Street Bayfield, WI 54814 
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Start Line
Wash. Ave. Beach Washington Avenue Bayfield, WI 54814 
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Madeline Isl. Ferry
Ferry Terminal 20 Washington Ave. Bayfield, WI 54814 
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Finish Line
Coming Soon! La Pointe, WI 54850 
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Awards Ceremony
La Pointe Elementary 868 Whitefish Rd La Pointe, WI 54850 
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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 - 12% off - $185 (reg. $210)
Apr. 1 - June 30, 2024 - Regular Price - $210
Fundraising - Registration is free, however, there is a minimum fundraising commitment of $300.00
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
Pricing:
Aug. 5 - Dec. 31, 2023 - 23% off - $160 (reg. $210)
Jan. 1 - Mar. 31, 2024 - 12% off - $185 (reg. $210)
Apr. 1 - June 30, 2024 - Regular Price - $210
Fundraising - Registration is free, however, there is a minimum fundraising commitment of $300.00
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
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
- 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)
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)
Swag
Support Us
The Point to La Point Swim provides a great opportunity to put your business in the spotlight, build your brand and deliver your marketing message to an engaged and targeted audience of over 1,500 area residents, visitors, swimmers, their supporters, and volunteers – your customers.
To become a sponsor contact Ursula at Ursula@bayfieldrec.org 715-779-5408
To become a sponsor contact Ursula at Ursula@bayfieldrec.org 715-779-5408
Volunteers are an integral part of the Point to La Pointe Open Water Swim. We have a number of shifts and roles available from helping with set up, to sales, registration and more. Most shifts are 3 hours long.
To see a list of all available opportunities, please click on the Volunteer Sign up button above. You can sign up for as many shifts as you can comfortably manage.
When: July 29, 30, 31, August 1, 2, & 3 2024
Where: Bayfield, Multiple locations over multiple days, Madeline Island.
Why: Because we can't do it without you!
To see a list of all available opportunities, please click on the Volunteer Sign up button above. You can sign up for as many shifts as you can comfortably manage.
When: July 29, 30, 31, August 1, 2, & 3 2024
Where: Bayfield, Multiple locations over multiple days, Madeline Island.
Why: Because we can't do it without you!
Every year during the first weekend in August, hundreds of open-water swimmers will take to the tall waters of Lake Superior in their annual migration to Madeline Island from the iconic coastal town of Bayfield.
Are you or anyone you know comfortable paddling their sea kayak or Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) on the open waters of Western Lake Superior in winds up to 15 knots and waves to 2 feet? If the answer is yes, then we are looking for you to join our volunteer Safety Team.
Kayak/Paddler Questions can be directed to p2lp.spc@gmail.com
Are you or anyone you know comfortable paddling their sea kayak or Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) on the open waters of Western Lake Superior in winds up to 15 knots and waves to 2 feet? If the answer is yes, then we are looking for you to join our volunteer Safety Team.
Kayak/Paddler Questions can be directed to p2lp.spc@gmail.com
Do you own a motor boat? Would you like to be a part of the Point to La Pointe Safety Team? Boaters are the second line of safety needed to assist kayakers when a swimmer needs to be pulled out of the water. Boaters will be assigned to a specific location along the route. Boaters should have access to a VHF Radio. Each Safety Boat team shall consist of at least two people. The captain and a spotter. If you're interested in becoming part of our Safety Team, please contact our race director at the email or phone number listed below.
Questions can be directed to: ursula@bayfieldrec.org
Call: 715-779-5408
Questions can be directed to: ursula@bayfieldrec.org
Call: 715-779-5408
We encourage our participants to support these businesses as they support their community in return.
2023 Superior Sponsors
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Silver Sponsors |
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Bronze Sponsors
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See why the Point to La Pointe is one of the best open water swims in the USA.
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Videos courtesy of David Doering & Airfox Photography. All rights reserved.
