Bayfield, WI 54814
(715)779-5408
A 2-mile open water swim race across beautiful and mighty Lake Superior from Bayfield to Madeline Island, WI
Swimming to the island has been a storied feat around the
Bayfield area for decades. Starting with the Ojibwa, individuals
of all levels of athletic skill have swum across the channel to
LaPointe on
In 2006, the Friends of the Recreation
The fastest known time from shore to shore was set by Alexander Cox in 2009 - 43:43.
CHECK OUT THIS OFFICIAL VIDEO OF OUR EVENT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV2Vf2AILtE
There's a short YouTube video of the start at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsQX3vs9kFI
RESULTS FOR THE 2009 RACE
can be found at http://www.boreal.org/~durfee/point_lapointe_swim_09.htm
You can also order stoneware mugs (just like the ones presented to the age group winners) by emailing applewarepottery@centurytel.net.
A special thank you to our 2010 sponsors:
WORLD CLASS PRECISION PRODUCTS Bayfield, WI
Recipient of the Business of the Year Award from the Northwest Wisconsin Workplace Investment Board
APPLEWARE POTTERY
Washburn, WI
Need a wetsuit? Rent one for the week. Guaranteed fit and great personal service at wetsuitrental.com
Point to LaPointe 2010 is now FULL and we cannot accept any more registrations. Our waitlist is also full. Thank you for your interest in our event. For the 2011 event, we expect to open registration in October. Thank you to all the swimmers who have signed up and supported our cause.
When: Saturday, August 7, 2010 –
7:25 am Race start, 7:33 am Community Start, 7:38 Relay start
Where: Start -
Finish -
Course: A straight 2 mile distance across
the big lake in open water
Purpose: to swim fast, have fun and raise money for the Bayfield
*Prizes for most pledges raised and fastest age group swimmers
Entry:
Entry includes hooded sweatshirt, finish line food, swim cap, "green bag" with goodies, and the ferry ride back to Bayfield.
Cost $79, or raise $120 in pledges and waive your entry fee!
Point to LaPointe 2010 is now FULL and we cannot accept any more registrations. Our waitlist is also full. Thank you for your interest in our event. For the 2011 event, we expect to open registration in October. Thank you to all the swimmers who have signed up and supported our cause.
The 2010 event is FULL
Look to register for the 2011 event at: http://www.midwestevents.us starting sometime in October.
If you want to get pledges ($120+) for your entry, please do NOT register using the website, but instead call or email the Bayfield Rec Center directly at (715)779-5408 (715)779-5408 or scott@coacharmstrong.com
Wetsuit strongly encouraged for Race Event (see details in Race Event below)
Wetsuit required for Community Event
Community event swimmers should arrange for their
own non-motorized escort (kayak or rowboat). Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See requirements under 'Community Swim' below in this web site, or call Scott at 715-779-5408 715-779-5408 .
Reviews:
For an excellent review of our 2008 event, go to
http://openwaterchicago.com/2008/08/10/swim-report-bayfield-wi-pointe-to-lapointe-2-miler-august-9-2008/
Welcome to Madeline Island, Mom!
Location:
in northernmost WI. Bayfield is the gateway to the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its camping, kayaking, trails, sea caves, and beaches.
Web sites with more information on
Bayfield and Madeline Island, WI:
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce www.bayfield.org
Madeline Island Ferry Line www.madferry.com
Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce www.madelineisland.com
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore www.nps.gov/apis/
Course Info:
The start will be in waist deep water. The finish will be an in-water line between two buoys in waist deep water. It is a straight line from start to finish. There will be large buoys marking the course every 1/3 mile. For safety reasons, swimmers will be expected to swim along the marked course, and may be steered by escort vessels if they get too far off track.
The organizers of this event will provide kayak escorts for the
competitive race. Swimmers in the community event are asked
to provide their own escort. Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See under "Community Event" below or call Scott at 715-779-5408 715-779-5408 for requirements.
This event is registered and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event in addition to race officials and escorts.
The swimming course follows the same route of the winter ice road, from the beach at the end of Washington Ave. in Bayfield, straight across to Griggs Landing on Madeline Island. This course parallels the route of the Madeline Island Ferry, finishing approximately 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock.
The ferry affords excellent viewing for spectators.
Swimmers starting the race in Bayfield.
Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 6
4-8 pm Packet pickup at the Bayfield Recreation Center, 140 S. Broad St., Bayfield, 715-779-5408 715-779-5408 . We encourage swimmers to pick up their packets on Friday night to reduce congestion on Saturday morning.
5-8 pm Spaghetti dinner to benefit the swim team, $10 adults , $5 kids 12 and under
Saturday, Aug. 7
6:15-7:00 am Packet pickup for late arrivals
7:00 am Safety meeting and warm-ups
7:20 am Start of race event
7:28 Start of community swim
7:30 Ferry leaves Bayfield to Madeline Island-ideal for spectators
7:33 Start of relay swim
8:05 Approximate arrival time of fastest race finishers
10:15 Cutoff time for all swimmers
10:30 Post-race awards and prizes
Spectator Info:
On the left is Oly- the town barber who dreamed up this event.
Watching with him is Eric Ott, a previous record holder of the
fastest known time across the channel.
The swim course parallels the path of the Madeline Island Ferry
for most of the 2 miles. Spectators can watch the start of the
race, then take the ferry over to the island and get a view of the race as it spreads out across the lake. The ferry landing dock on Madeline is about 3/4 mile from the finish. Event organizers will offer some van transportation from the ferry dock to the finish line so that spectators can watch the end of the race, but we encourage fit spectators to walk. While extremely fast swimmers (under 50:00) might actually beat the ferry over, we will do our best to get their friends and loved ones to the finish line in time to see them finish!!
For more information, prices, and schedules for the ferry,
go to the Madeline Island Ferry Line web site at
www.madferry.com or call 715-742-2051.
The 2006 winner looks back on other finishers and Bayfield.
Race Event:
You should have some open water swim racing experience or able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool to swim in the race event. If you cannot do this, please enter the Community Event. The start will be a mass start in waist deep water. The finish will bean in-water line at the end of a dock in 6' deep water, with a landing beach only a few yards away. It is a straight line from start to finish. There will be five large buoys marking the 1/3 mile points. Swimmers will be expected to judge the wind and currents of Lake Superior and keep their course close to the buoys.
Wetsuits are strongly recommended - shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will likely be 55-65 degrees (68 and 66 degrees in ideal conditions).
No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, flotation devices) will be allowed in the race event, except wetsuits. Voluntarily touching a boat or receiving items handed to them by a boat will result in disqualification.
Community Event:
The community swim is not a race, but will be timed for the
swimmer's interest. Swimmers in this event should feel confident in their ability to swim 2 miles in open water.
All Community Swimmers must have their own escort (ideally non-motorized such as a kayak or rowboat) in this event. This should be provided by the swimmer. Race organizers must approve the boat and paddler. Some guidelines are as follows:
-Kayaks must be at least 15 feet long with double bulk heads and rudder or skeg.
-Paddlers MUST have PFD that fits. Pump, paddle float and wetsuit are highly recommended.
-Paddlers/rowers should be experienced, including experience in the wind and waves in case of rough Lake Superior conditions.
-Call Scott at 715-779-5408 for more information or questions.
Wetsuits for the swimmers will be required- shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will likely be 55-65 degrees (68 and 66 degrees in the last 2 years in ideal conditions).
Swimming aids are allowed, including fins. Swimmers may rest on and get help from their escorts, but towing is not encouraged. A relay team from a surfboard or rowboat is allowed.
Cut off time for the community swim is 10:15 (2.75 hours).
Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
Not sure you can swim 2 miles?
Wear fins and swim in the community event,
or find some teammates and a boat to form a relay team!
Relay event:
A team of up to 4 swimmers may swim the course as a relay. The team may switch from a motorboat, surfboard, or other craft by tagging each other. There are no rules concerning how long or often each swimmer must swim, only that they must physically tag each other. This event is ideal for swimmers that feel 2 miles is too much solo. Wetsuits will not be required for relay swimmers that are using a boat. The relay team must provide their own watercraft (motorized OK) to switch on and off from. Please check with the race director about your craft.
Race Postponement/Cancellation Policy
The Point to LaPointe Swim to Madeline Island requires a permit from the US Coast Guard. The safety of the swimmers and escort kayakers is of primary concern. For this reason, race organizers may be forced to postpone or cancel the race under the following conditions:
Fog - the finish line must be visible to the naked eye from Bayfield.
Lightening – the race will not be started if there is visible lightening or audible thunder in the area, or weather radar shows a threatening system approaching the area.
Winds and waves – the race will not be started if wave heights exceed 3’ on the course. Depending on direction and duration, a 20 mph wind can cause these wave heights. This condition will be evaluated in consultation with the US Coast Guard and kayak guides.
In case of bad weather, race organizers will try to postpone the race for a matter of hours to wait out a weather condition, through Saturday evening if needed. Some conditions (strong winds or storms all day) may require outright cancellation. If the event is cancelled, all registered applicants will receive a 50% credit toward future Point to LaPointe swims.
Mid-race pullout – if the race organizers conclude that conditions are unsafe mid-race, swimmers will be pulled out of the water. No credits will be issued.
2009 Swim Results
Race Winners:
Male: Alexander Cox 43:43.2
Female: Karen Zemlin 46:28.9
Both times bettered the course records.
AGE GROUP WINNERS:
Females under 20
Gemma Pillsbury, Baraboo, WI, age 15, 0:54:01.7
Males under 20
Alexander Cox, Rochester, MN, age 17 0:43:43:2
Females 20-29
Marissa Schmitz, St. Paul, MN, age 29 0:58:27.3
Males 20-29
John Welch, St. Paul, MN, age 27 0:54:50.5
Females 30-39
Laura Borgelt, Golden, CO, age 37 0:50:02.9
Males 30-39
Bryan Carlson, Edina, MN, age 31 0:44:04.5
Females 40-49
Karen Zemlin, Eden Prairie, MN, age 41 0:46:28.9
Males 40-49
Aaron Gabriel, Palatine, IL, age 43 0:46:48.5
Females 50-59
Julie Van Cleave, Elm Grove, WI, age 50 0:59:36.4
Males 50-59
Dave George, Madison, WI, age 54 0:51:22.7
Females 60-69
Carol Smollen, Elk River, MN, age 65 1:23:41.4
Males 60-69
Ed Hoch, Denver, CO, age 61 1:04:36.9
Males 70+
Fred Salzman, Madison, WI, age 77 1:38:20.4
