Open Water Swim Races
Dive into history at the La Jolla Cove Swim, one of the longest running open water race in the United States. For 109 years, open water swimmers have tested their limits against the stunning backdrop of La Jolla Cove, becoming part of a tradition that spans generations.
Join us in 2026 and become part of this enduring tradition, built on community, challenge, and the connection to nature that open water swimming gives us. Choose your adventure: the Sea Lion 1-mile swim, the Leopard Shark 3-mile swim, or the Whole Enchilada 3+1 mile swim. Or introduce your young swimmer to the joy of open water swimming with the 250-meter kids’ race, Garibaldi Groms.
Feel the energy of the ocean, the camaraderie of fellow swimmers, and the pulse of history. Run by dedicated volunteers, this event embodies the true spirit of open water swimming. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a first-time participant, you’ll find your place in our community.
Race & Event Information
Iconic Open Water Swim held in La Jolla, California the first Sunday after Labor almost every year since 1916.
There are four swim events available on race day.
- 250 Meter kids race “Garibaldi Grommets”
- 1 Mile “Sea Lions”
- 3 Mile “Leopard Sharks”
- 4 Mile “Whole Enchilada” Swimmers compete in both the 1 mile & 3 mile events – there is about an hour between the 2 swims.
All swimmers receive an event t-shirt. All finishers receive a finisher’s medal. There are Age Group Medals awarded that follow U.S. Masters Swimming age brackets. For the kids race it is by individual year. 8 year olds will only be competing with other 8 year olds etc. up through 12 years of age.
Event Info
Race Day: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Saturday Check In: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (strongly encouraged)
Race Day Check In: 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Check in for each event closes 15 mins before event start time).
Check In Place: Scripps Park/La Jolla Cove – 1160 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
All Races: Begin and Finish on the Beach of La Jolla Cove.
Free Guided La Jolla Cove Familiarization Swim: 11 AM on Saturday led by local swimmers.
Parental Approval: Swimmers under age 18 will need to be registered by legal guardian.
Race Day Info
Check-In: Each swimmer MUST check in to receive their swim cap, timing chip, t-shirt, wave assignment, and race number. Swimmers will be able to check in on Saturday as well, from 9AM – 2PM (strongly encouraged). If you check in on Saturday, you do not need to check in on race day. Just make sure you have your timing chip, cap and race number. On race day, check in opens at 7AM. For those who check in on race day, check in for each event closes 15 mins before scheduled event start time.
The Course for the Swim: Swimmers will begin and finish all races on the beach of La Jolla Cove. Each swim consists of three legs with two left turns around two buoys. Waves of swimmers will be in groups of 100- 200, depending on conditions. Parental approval is required for swimmers younger than 18. Prior open water swimming experience is highly recommended for all participants.
Tentative Timeline (Subject to Change)
07:15 AM: 3 Mile Leopard Shark Swimmers Line up
07:30 AM: 3 Mile Leopard Shark Swimmers start
08:05 AM: Second heat of 3 Mile Leopard Swimmers takes off (if needed)
10:05 AM: 3 Mile Leopard Shark Course is closed.
10:00 AM: 250M Garibaldi Groms will line up at the steps and prepare to load the beach
10:15 AM: 250M Garibaldi Groms Race starts
10:45 AM: 1 Mile Sea Lion Swimmers will line up at the steps and prepare to load the beach
11:00 AM: First wave of 1 Mile Sea Lion Swimmers takes off
11:05 AM: Second wave of 1 Mile Sea Lion Swimmers takes off
11:10 AM: Third wave of 1 Mile Sea Lion Swimmers takes off
11:15 AM: Fourth wave of 1 Mile Sea Lion Swimmers takes off (if needed)
12:15 PM: 1 Mile Seal Lion Course is closed.
01:00 PM: Award Ceremony for Age Group Winners (separate divisions for regulation and wetsuit).
Awards
$500 will be awarded to a swimmer who finishes with the best times in both the 1—and 3-mile Swims. (Regulation: no wetsuits, neoprene shirts, or jammers—neoprene swim caps are acceptable.) Fins are not allowed, and buoys are not allowed.
In addition to the finisher medal, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded for each age group, and all regulation swimmers, beginning with Garibaldi Groms (8-12 by age ). For the 1 Mile Sea Lion age group, medals will be awarded for 13-14, 15-17 and follow US Masters Swimming guidelines (18– 24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39 in five-year increments as high as necessary). The 3 Mile Leopard Shark age groups will follow US Masters Swimming guidelines (18– 24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39… in five-year increments as high as necessary). Under-18 swimmers may enter the 3-mile race ONLY with the race director’s approval.
The La Jolla Cove Swim Committee
Aaron Brennan, Bill Robbins, “Mo” Michalek, Doug “The Big Garibaldi” Burleigh, Mia Andersen, Mike Saltzstein, Paula Selby, Alexia El Wardani, Kevin Eslinger.
Sponsorship/Donations
If you want to underwrite or fund one of these event costs:
- T-shirts
- Caps
- Medals
- Insurance
- Lifeguards
- Race wire timing
- Historical exhibition
Please contact the race director, Aaron Brennan, at LaJollaCoveSwim@gmail.com. If you would like to donate, please click on the link https://kiwanisclublajolla.org/la-jolla-cove-swim/ or email LaJollaCoveSwim@gmail.com.
Sponsors & Partners
We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for their generous support and commitment to the San Diego community. The net proceeds from this event will fund swim lessons for underserved youth through The Prevent Drowning Foundation. We also thank the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego, City of San Diego Lifeguards, and WindanSea Surf Club for their partnerships!
