3 Mile Swim

The Leopard Shark open water swim is the original swim held during the 1916 California Panama Exposition. The course will take you on a round trip from La Jolla Cove to the Scripps “Biological” Pier and back to the La Jolla Cove. You will be escorted by San Diego Lifeguards and a couple dozen volunteers from the Wind-and-Sea Surf Club. This swim is not for new open water swimmers.

Race Details

Event Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Event Location: Scripps Park/La Jolla Cove – 1160 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Race Day Check In: 6:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Free Guided La Jolla Cove Familiarization Swim: 10 AM on Saturday led by local swimmers.
Saturday Check In: You may check in for your event the day before at Scripps Park/La Jolla Cove 9AM-2PM . You do not need to check in twice. But you must wear your timing chip and issued swim cap for your event. Do not lose them.
Line Up Time: 7:15 AM
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Age: Open to ages 18+.
All Races: Begin and Finish on the Beach of La Jolla Cove.

Race Day Info

Check-In: Each swimmer must check in on the Scripps Park/La Jolla Cove event day. Check-in will open at 7:00 AM. Swimmers will receive a t-shirt, cap, and timing chip ankle band. Your number will be written on both arms or hands. Timing is used for all awards and official results.

The Course for the Swim: The 3-mile course is a challenging multi-loop or out-and-back design that will be clearly marked with large, highly visible buoys.

Swim Gear

• Swimsuit: “Tech suits” are not permitted. (Speedo LZR, Arena PowerSkin etc).
• Swim Goggles: Masks are allowed, but snorkels are prohibited.
• Swim cap (provided by the event)
• Wetsuits ARE permitted. Swimmers who wish to wear wetsuits or swimwear that provides buoyancy must register for the “Wetsuit” division. Wetsuit Division swimmers are not eligible for age group awards.
• Fins are allowed for swimmers registered in the “Fins” division. They are not allowed for the “Whole Enchilada” Combo swim. Fins Division swimmers are not eligible for age group awards.
• Swim Buoys are prohibited.

​Awards

All participants will receive a commemorative swim cap and a finisher’s medal. Age group awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers. In addition to the finisher medal, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded for each age group, and all regulation swimmers, for the 1 Mile Sea Lion age group, medals will be awarded for 13-14, 15-17.

​Safety

Your safety is our highest priority, especially in a race of this distance. The following protocols are in place to ensure a secure environment for all athletes.

• Lifeguard Supervision: Certified lifeguards will actively monitor the entire course, from kayaks to paddleboards.
• Pre-Race Briefing: We require all participants and parents to attend the pre-race briefing, where we will review safety instructions and course details.
• Medical Support: On-site medical personnel will be available to provide any necessary assistance.

Important Safety Tips

• We highly recommend that all participants have extensive recent open water swimming experience and are fully trained for this distance and a variety of ocean conditions.
• La Jolla Cove is home to diverse marine life, including leopard sharks. They are harmless, and their presence is a unique part of the experience. Please do not touch or disturb any wildlife.
• Familiarize yourself with typical ocean conditions (currents, swells) if possible.
• Arrive early for check-in and the mandatory briefing.
• Stay hydrated before, during, and after the race.
• Apply ample sunscreen to prevent sunburn.