Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge

Canaqua Sports is proud to present the
Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge!

Ian Feldman, President, Canaqua Sports and the founder of the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge says:

"Since our first race in 2017, we have been adding races as we work to grow SwimRun across Canada. After canceling our season in 2020 due to Covid-19 and getting through with a limited number of events in 2021, we are now positioned to run a full slate of 10 events for 2023 across Canada.

Watch for details to follow!"

Press Release

Official Press Release Below

September 19, 2022

"As we come to the conclusion of the 2022 season, Canaqua Sports is very excited about the success of the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge and what we have accomplished. After effectively taking 2 years off due to Covid 19, we came back with a bang, with 10 events scheduled from coast to coast making the Mudskipper Challenge the largest Swimrun series in Canada.

In addition to our Canadian events we were also very excited to send a team of 8 swimrunners to Grado Italy for the World individual SwimRun Championships run by Aquaticrunner of Italy. Canaqua Sports has partnered with Aquaticrunner since 2018, and also sent a group to the 2019 world event.

The AQUATICRUNNER IWC SOLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 was held in Grado Italy on September 18, 2022, and truly marks the end of the swimrun season in Canada. We were very excited to have 5 women and 3 men amongst the 211 competitors who started the race. You can tell how challenging the event was as only 134, including all 8 Canadians, completed the event.

Amongst the Canadians, Sara Hopkins from St Catherine’s was the top finisher; she placed 5th overall in the Female category, 2nd in the age group and was the 2nd international woman to finish. In 8th place was Erin Schenkle from Kenora also finishing in the top 10, placing 8th overall and 4th in her age groups.

Another notable participant was Janice German, from Vancouver, who at age 65 was the oldest competitor, and finished in 19th spot amongst the ladies and was first in her age group.

On the men’s side, top Canadian was Nicholas Crow from Halifax who placed 84th over all and 73rd amongst the men.

This event was very much a coming out for the Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge and for the development of SwimRun in Canada, with the Canadian team being front and center at the world event. We look forward 2023 with more and larger events."

Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge
- the start

Ian Feldman writes:

"In 2017 Canaqua Sports ran its first swimrun event in Sudbury On. As part of the Canaqua Sports SwimRun Challenge. Since that time, we changed the name to the Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge in 2019, as a Mudskipper is an amphibious animal that lives on both the land and in the water, and is very appropriate given the nature of Swimrun.

As we launched, Covid struck and with that, we not only shut down our events, but at the same time we worked hard, adding events across Canada so that we would be ready when life opened up.

This has led to the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge growing across Canada in 2022, with even more events coming up in 2023. We look forward to continued growth of the sport, and invite anyone interested in knowing more about swimrun and the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge to contact us at info@canaquasports.com

Whether you are looking for information, are interested in running an event, or are interested in becoming a sponsor, we would like to hear from you. Even if none of those interest you, spread the word. SwimRun is an amazing sporting event that is taking the world by storm, and is primed for amazing growth over the next few years. The Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge is spurring that growth in Canada, and beyond.

Looking forward to some incredible years ahead."

Ian Feldman

President Canaqua Sports Inc.

Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge Events

Dates for 2023 are now confirmed for the following events!

This page will be updated as we get the new dates/venues - do please bookmark this, and return to check for any amendments or changes.

Swimrunners at the start of a race, crossing the start line

Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge

Events 2023

Sasamat Ice Cracker Swimrun Challenge

Date: 14 May, 2023

Venue: Sasamat Lake, Port Moody, BC

Swim and run in and around Sasamat Lake as you complete Mudskipper's first ever SwimRun event in the Vancouver area. The 13 km event includes 2 laps of the Sasamat course that will take you along trails that will challenge your running ability, and swims of different distances through this beautiful lake.

If you would prefer a shorter event, you can do the 6.5 km distance, which is one loop of the full course.

This event is being run in conjunction with the Sasamat Ice Cracker Open Water Swim.

Total Swim: 2.35 km

Total Run: 2.15 km

Total Distance: 6.5 km

Total Swim: 4.7 km

Total Run: 8.3 km

Total Distance: 13 km

CLICK HERE to register for the Sasamat Ice Cracker Swimrun Challenge.

Sasamat Fresh and Salty Swimrun Challenge

Date: 11 June, 2023

Venue: Sasamat Lake, Port Moody, BC

Come and join in for Mudskipper's second event of the season. This is a 20K SwimRun event in and around Sasamat Lake to Belcarra. Our challenging course is great for beginner and experienced swimrunners and triathletes.

20K distance - 2 laps of the course. - This distance is also the qualifying event for the AQUATICRUNNER IWC SOLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

Total Swim: 3.4 km

Total Run: 17 km

Total Distance: 20.4 km

CLICK HERE to register for the Sasamat Fresh and Salty Swimrun Challenge.

Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge

Welland Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge

Date: 11 June, 2023

Venue: Welland, Ontario

The Welland Challenge is set in a lovely section of the Welland Canal and includes 3 swims and 2 runs, over a flat and fast course. The longest swim is 1000m and the longest run is 2.5 km.

Total Swim: 2.5 km

5Total Run: 5 km

Total Distance: 7.5 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Welland Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Swimrunners at start of race, running towards the camera.

They're off!

Elk Island Swimrun Challenge

Date: 24 June, 2023

Venue: Elk Island National Park, Astotin Lake Area

The first ever swimrun in the Edmonton area, run concurrently with a 1.5 km swim event. This swimrun race has a high percentage of swimming in the total distance - about 28%!

Total Swim: 4 km

Total Run: 11 km

Total Distance: 15 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Elk Island Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Cavendish Swimrun Challenge

Date: 1 July, 2023

Venue: Cavendish Beach, New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island

Celebrate Canada Day with a new event at Cavendish beach! This is a 17 km event that serves as a warm-up for the Summerside race, which is a World Qualifier.

There are plans for a 20 km event here too - watch this space!.

Total Swim: 4 km

Total Run: 13 km

Total Distance: 17 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Cavendish Beach Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Collingwood Swimrun Challenge

Date: 9 July, 2023

Venue: Collingwood Harbor, Ontario

New for this year, a 12 km swimrun event that runs parallel with the Georgian Bay Masters Swim Club open water swim races.

Total Swim: TBA

Total Run: TBA

Total Distance: 11.5 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Collingwood Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Kenora Mudskipper Challenge

Date: 15 July, 2023

Venue: Rabbit Lake Trails, Garrow Park, ON

There are three swimrun distances here. The running sections are over trails with relatively rough surfaces - bring your trail shoes! The swim sections are based on a 500 meter course.

The 20 km race is a qualifying event for the Aquaticrunner IWC solo World Championship in Grado, Italy.

Short distance swimrun;

Total Swim: 2 km

Total Run: 3 km

Total Distance: 5 km

Medium distance swimrun;

Total Swim: 3 km

Total Run: 8 km

Total Distance: 11 km

Long distance swimrun;

Total Swim: 4 km

Total Run: 16 km

Total Distance: 20 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Kenora Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge

Parry Sound Swimrun Challenge

Date: 23 July, 2023

Venue: Parry Sound, Ontario

The second time that this event has been held in Parry Sound, the swimrun races have 2 distances - 10 km and a 20 km race.

The 20 km race is a qualifying event for the Aquaticrunner IWC solo World Championship in Grado, Italy.

Total Swim: 2.9 km

Total Run: 7.5 km

Total Distance: 10.5 km

Total Swim: 5.8 km

Total Run: 14.2 km

Total Distance: 20 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Parry Sound Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Summerside Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge

Date: 30 July, 2023

Venue: Silver Fox Yacht Club, Summerside, Prince Edward Island

This is being run in conjunction with the Summerside Open Water Swim.

The 17.45 km race is a qualifying event for the Aquaticrunner IWC solo World Championship in Grado, Italy.

Total Swim: 5 km

Total Run: 12.45 km

Total Distance: 17.45 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Summerside Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

Canaqua Sports Mid-Summer Challenge

Date: 6 August 2023

Venue: Welland International Flatwater Centre

This is a 13 km swimrun challenge that runs in and around this part of the Welland Recreational Canal. There are seven stages, and this course is flat and FAST!

Total Swim: 4 km

Total Run: 9 km

Total Distance: 13 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Canaqua Sports Mid-Summer SwimRun Challenge.

Nova Scotia Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge

Date: 20 August, 2023

Venue: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia

Swim and run in and around Sackville Lakes Provincial Park as you complete Mudskipper's only SwimRun event in Nova Scotia. The 20 K event includes 7 km of swimming & 13 km of Running that will take you along trails that will challenge your running ability, and swims of different distances through this beautiful lake.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Nova Scotia Challenge.

Total Swim: 4 km

Total Run: 8 km

Total Distance: 12 km

Total Swim: 7 km

Total Run: 13 km

Total Distance: 20 km

Sasamat Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge

Date: 17 September 2023

Venue: Sasamat Lake, Belcarra Regional Park, Port Moody, B.C.

The final event of the season, in Belcarra Regional Park. It starts with a swim in Sasamat Lake and then runs through Belcarra. There are 2 races, of 10 km and a longer distance at 20 km.

Total Swim: 3.5 km

Total Run: 6.5 km

Total Distance: 10 km

Total Swim: 7 km

Total Run: 13 km

Total Distance: 20 km

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Sasamat Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge.

World Champs Qualifying Events

As part of the SwimRun season, the Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge will be running 4 qualifying events for the World Individual SwimRun Championships in Grado, Italy on September 23rd, 2023.

The qualifying events will be run no later than the end of July with the top 2 men and top 2 women from each location, as well as the Canadian Individual SwimRun Championships.

More about the World Champs event in Grado, Italy, at our Swimrun Italy page!

The qualifying events for 2023 have now been set:

Sasamat Fresh and Salty Challenge - Vancouver, 11th June
Kenora Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge - Kenora, 15th July
Parry Sound Mudskipper SwimRun Challenge, 23rd July
Summerside Swimrun Challenge, 30th July

Training Programs

With so many people turning to open water swimming, and the increased interest in SwimRun, Canaqua Sports ran training programs in select locations in 2021.
After running programs in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, they are looking to run their training programs in these cities, and hopefully add other locations.

If you are new to the sport they offer a program teaching the basics of SwimRun. The 2023 training programs will be updated on the Mudskipper Swimrun Challenge website.