About the Big Swim

Saturday August 1st & Sunday August 2nd, 2020

We are excited to announce 2 days and 26km for The BIG SWIM 2020!

Swims will take place between NS and NB on Saturday August 1, 2020 and between NB and PEI on Sunday August 2nd, 2020.

The BIG SWIM is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020 and we would like to count you in as one of our swimmers, kayakers or volunteers. To commemorate this special year, we have a twist on our usual event: a two day, three province crossing with an expected distance of 26km.

The BIG SWIM 2020 Details Leaked!

We know that many are anxiously awaiting the details and so we’ve decided to leak some of them ahead of our info session to help you prepare. We anticipate selling out for this exciting milestone year.

The Event:

For our 10th anniversary, we have chosen a two day, three province event. Swimmers and kayakers may register for either event or a combination of the two. For safety concerns, we will be capping our registration at 50 swimmers for each event.

These events are: 

An approximate 8km swim from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick on August 1. Our start will begin in the Tidnish area ending in Port Elgin. Due to the sheltered area, it is likely that this will be a “fairly straight” swim. Start times will be set closer to the event weekend and will be based on weather conditions. 

An approximate 16km-18km swim from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island on August 2. Our start will remain as years past, on the beach of Cape Jourimain Nature Centre and finish in Borden, Prince Edward Island. As we know from years past, the tides and currents take participants on a curved crossing which is why the distance varies from year to year. Start times will be set closer to the event weekend and will be based on weather conditions.  

Please note that kayakers and swimmers may be required on Friday, July 31 for safety details however our volunteer committee are continuing to iron out those details. 

Registration Dates:

Registration will be opened to those swimmers who wish to participate in both events first, on March 1 at noon AST. Those swimmers will have 48 hours to register until we open the single-day event registration on March 3 at noon AST. Registration will close when we reach 50 swimmers and a wait-list will be started.  

Changes to your registration (i.e. downgrading to a shorter distance) will not be permitted after June 15, 2020. 

What’s Included with your Registration:

  • Participation in The BIG SWIM
  • Event safety support in the form of multiple boats
  • A recommended training program  
  • Access to a private Facebook forum to ask questions & share milestones
  • Event weekend t-shirt 
  • BIG SWIM branded bathing cap for training
  • Event weekend bathing cap
  • Fundraising support 

Event

Fundraising Requirement

Registration Fee (non refundable)

NS to NB
(Saturday)

$750

$150 per swimmer*

NB to PEI
(Sunday)

$1500

$250 per swimmer*

Both Events
(Saturday & Sunday)

$2000

$350 per swimmer*

Safety Requirements: Every swimmer must be accompanied by a Paddle Canada Level 1 Certified kayaker*. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to acquire a qualified kayaker and without one, they will not be permitted to swim. Each kayaker is required to acquire the necessary safety gear, as recommended by Transport Canada. Without this safety gear, the kayaker will not be permitted to paddle leaving their swimmer without a paddler.  

Need to know more?
Come to our Information Night!

Wednesday, February 5th 6:30pm-8:30pm
@ The Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road)
in the Lindsay Children’s Room

Can’t make it? Join us on Facebook and watch as we go live

Still have questions? Email bigswimdirector@givetolive.ca 

About the BIG SWIM

Have you ever considered swimming across the Northumberland Strait?  Most haven’t.  But for those who have there is the BIG SWIM, your chance to do something truly epic.  The BIG SWIM is a supported event held in August each year that combines an epic feat of endurance with the opportunity to raise funds for an awesome charity.  The BIG SWIM is not a race and supports swimmers of all abilities to get out into the Northumberland Strait and achieve the unimaginable.