TRAINING GROUPS - If you’re looking for training partners, try the following groups:

LAKE SWIMS: Knowing what landmarks to use for sighting is a key to a fast swim. Doing some practice swims on parts or all of the course will give you experience with this aspect of the race. The following are some fun training swim ideas, each covering part or all of the fat salmon route.

Out and Back Swims:

If you are interested in doing an out and back swim starting and finishing at Madison Park Beach following the contour of the shoreline to train, we have mapped these routes and turnaround points for you with these special maps.

Point-to-Point Park Swims: (Distances are approximate; support boat or partner recommended)

  • Denny-Blaine to Madison Park: 1.2 miles (straight line).

  • Madrona Beach Park to Madison Park: about 2 miles.

  • Day Street Boat Launch to Madrona Beach Park: About 1.2 miles. ( Caution: You will need to swim past the Leschi marina for this swim.)

  • The Fat Salmon = Day Street to Madison Beach: 3.2 miles.

You are responsible for knowing the local laws related to open water swimming (when not swimming in an actual sanctioned event). You are required to be accompanied by a boat with a lifejacket for you when swimming more than 50 feet from shore. You must stay 50’ away from beach swimming areas when lifeguards are on duty. We recommend you check out the exit point for your swim before getting started.