Across the Lake Swim Copper Island

Copper Island stands across the expanse of Shuswap Lake, creating a natural focal point for open-water swimmers setting out from Scotch Creek. Across the Lake Swim Copper Island is an open water swimming race held in the lake waters of Shuswap Lake, at Scotch Creek in British Columbia. Organized by Across the Lake Swim, the event takes place in September. Swimmers assemble on the lakeshore in the morning light, preparing to set out across the open water toward the island. The event offers two race distances that center on this island crossing: 2,600 metres and 5,000 metres. The 2.6-kilometre course takes swimmers straight out to Copper Island and back to the shore.

The 5-kilometre event requires participants to swim out to Copper Island, circle completely around it, and then swim all the way back to the beach. Navigating around the outer shoreline of the island tests pacing and open-water navigation before swimmers turn back across the open lake toward the finish. Morning conditions can make for calm and scenic swimming. In past editions, swimmers have experienced clear skies, a stunning sunrise, and clean air free of smoke over the lake. Swimming under calm skies with clear visibility allows athletes to sight the island cleanly from the surface of the water. Swimmers who follow the broader open-water calendar will find this quiet freshwater setting a distinct alternative to coastal sea races worldwide. While coastal sea meets bring waves and tropical salt water, Scotch Creek delivers an immersive freshwater experience on an inland lake.

On the water at Scotch Creek: paddlers, buoys and cut-offs

For Across the Lake Swim Copper Island the gear tent stands at the start at Scotch Creek Campground, near the boat launch. At Across the Lake Swim Copper Island support paddlers are required for the 5 km distance and recommended for the 2.6 km. Swim Buddy personal swim floats are mandatory for both distances of Across the Lake Swim Copper Island. The 2.6 km swim at Copper Island has a cut-off time of 2 hours, and the 5 km swim has a cut-off time of 2.5 hours. Participants in Across the Lake Swim Copper Island are encouraged to stay for the weekend by camping at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park.

Shuswap Lake: the glacial fjord basins and Cinnemousun Narrows

The lake itself has a distinct geography, composed of four large arms that form an H-shape. Glacial processes similar to coastal fjords carved these deep basins over thousands of years. Between 14,000 and 10,000 BCE, an ancient body of water known as Glacial Lake Kamloops covered the entire area, with water depths reaching up to 1,000 metres. Even today, the depths of Shuswap Lake remain vast, with a maximum depth of 171 metres recorded in the Seymour Arm. Yet where the lake basins meet, the topography changes dramatically at the Cinnemosun Narrows. At this junction, the lake bed rises, and the water is only 5 metres deep. Located about 12 kilometres from the race area, Cinnemousun Narrows Provincial Park sits right at the point where the four arms meet.

The surrounding landscape features mountains to the east and hills to the west, with the highest elevation in the vicinity of the park reaching 666 metres above sea level. Located about 14 kilometres from the race area, Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park covers an extensive area of 894 hectares. The marine park provides access to the shoreline through 27 campsites located around the perimeter of the lake. About 15 kilometres from the race area lies Herald Provincial Park. The park is situated on the north shore of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake. Large pebble beaches are located along the southern boundary of the park, while an inland hiking trail leads visitors to Margaret Falls.

Historically, this parcel of land was a working family farm owned by the Herald family from the turn of the 20th century until the 1970s. The lake is fed by major waterways, including the Eagle River. The Eagle River spans a total length of 75 kilometres and flows through four different lakes: Clanwilliam, Victor, Three Valley, and Griffith. Major tributaries feed into the river along its descent, with the Perry River joining near Malakwa and Crazy Creek joining east of the Perry River confluence. A 454-hectare area near Malakwa is preserved as Eagle River Park, before the river finally terminates at Shuswap Lake in the town of Sicamous.

Scotch Creek: Kekuli pit houses and the 1860s gold rush

The human presence along these waterways stretches back across time. Shuswap Lake and the surrounding region take their name from the Shuswap people, who represent the northernmost group of Salishan-speaking people. The area was historically inhabited by First Nations peoples who constructed semi-subterranean pit houses known as Kekuli. The community where the race is based is near Scotch Creek, a stream located on the north side of Shuswap Lake. Scotch Creek flows for 56.5 kilometres from its headwaters near Pukeshun Mountain down to the lake. During the 1860s, Scottish gold prospectors came to the area and conducted placer mining operations along the stream, which led to the creek being named after them.

About 21 kilometres from the race area is Shuswap Lake Provincial Park. This provincial park is situated on the north shore of the main arm of Shuswap Lake. Built upon an ancient delta formed by Scotch Creek, the park features a large beach composed of sand and gravel, as well as a boat launch.

Autumn migrations: sockeye salmon runs and lake wildlife

Scotch Creek supports a natural sockeye salmon run that occurs every autumn. The annual salmon run typically sees between 1,000 and 18,000 fish. Beneath the surface, Shuswap Lake sustains a wide variety of aquatic life. The lake is home to 30 fish species, including introduced invasive carp that inhabit the lake alongside native species. For swimmers heading out into the open channel toward Copper Island, the freshwater below remains rich and alive.

Scotch Creek beachfront: sandbars, boat marinas, and Finz patio

After stepping out of the water, swimmers are greeted by the relaxed atmosphere of the Scotch Creek community. The community features an inviting gravel and sand beach along the entire lakeshore, providing plenty of room to stretch out and warm up on the shore after the race. Boating is a central activity in the area, with a public boat launch and a man-made lagoon marina servicing lake visitors. The Captain's Canteen offers outdoor dining right at the marina, giving swimmers front-row views of the water and surrounding mountains while they eat. For a sit-down meal, Finz Bar and Grill is a waterfront restaurant accessible by boat, featuring a covered and heated patio where visitors can relax regardless of the afternoon breeze.

If you spend the weekend in town, local community traditions add to the lakeside charm. Summer Friday Night Live events bring people together with live music, local crafts, and food. It is an easygoing way to round out a weekend built around conquering the crossing to Copper Island and back.