This is one of our most popular club swim events of the year! We’re going to swim the 2km from the eastern shore of Lake Whakatipu to Pigeon Island. We’ll have a picnic on the island and then swim or boat back. This is a members-only event, one of the perks of being a member of Southern Lakes Swimming Club.
About Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island (Wāwāhi Waka) is in Lake Whakatipu on the way to Glenorchy. It’s a wildlife sanctuary with a historic hut, a picnic area and fabulous native bush. It is called Pigeon Island for the kererū found on the island. The neighbouring Pig Island did have pigs on it, but not any more. There are lots of rare buff weka on the islands, which were transported from Stevenson’s island in Fiordland in 2006.
Pigeon Island Swim 2025 Details
Sunday 23rd February 2025
The event is free – but you must be a member and space is limited. If you have signed up for this event, you should be getting updates via email (not getting the updates? Get in touch).
Approximate Timings – TO BE CONFIRMED BASED ON THE WEATHER FORECAST
7am Meet at One Mile Carpark for briefing (see map below). We’ll carpool to the Lake Face Creek Falls car park. Drop clothes and food in the boats to be taken across.
8am Get changed and start to swim across to Pigeon Island. 2km swim
9am Morning tea picnic on Pigeon Island
11am Swim/Boat back to shore
12 noon High fives and celebrate our general awesomeness back at the car park
1pm Back to One Mile Car park
This is a tricky bit of water, so the event will only go ahead if it’s safe to do so. You’ll need to be confident swimming 2km (or 4km if you’d like to swim there and back). There’ll be boat and kayak support.
What do I need to bring?
- Togs
- Wetsuit
- Warm change of clothes (including something to wear on Pigeon Island)
- Food and drink for a picnic
- Tow float and brightly-coloured swim cap
- Waterproof sunscreen and sandfly repellent
You can put food and a change of clothes into your tow float (if it has a separate dry bag compartment) or bring a bag to put them in the boat. We’ll provide some drinks and snacks for the picnic, but do BYO as well, as you’ll know your own dietary needs and conditions best.
What about the weather?
This trip is weather-dependent, and we can’t run it if there is a hint of strong winds or bad weather coming. We’ll look to make a call early if we aren’t going, but please be aware we may cancel with short notice.
In the event of cancellation, we’ll consider another swim elsewhere, like Bob’s Cove or back at the swim lane.
Questions
Why are numbers limited?
We need to cap the numbers of people per boat for safety reasons. We’re looking to cap at 30 people, so if you’re keen do sign up.
Why so early?
The winds pick up around lunchtime in this part of the lake, and we want to be off the island and back on shore by then.
What if I can’t swim 2km?
This is a requirement. We’ll offer boat rides back if you don’t want to swim back after the picnic.
As a guide: the full length of the lane and back is 2.5km, so if you can comfortably do that then you’ll be ok.
If this event isn’t for you, check out our other swimming events – we aim to have something for everyone!
Can I swim to Pig Island too?
Yes – if the weather and timing are right, we’ll do an excursion to Pig Island too. This is a short (a few hundred metres) and shallow swim. We’ll make a call on the day and you don’t need to join in if you don’t want to.
Do I need to be a member of the Southern Lakes Swimming Club?
Yes, this is for members. Join up at www.slsc.co.nz/join