The swim might be the shortest part of a triathlon – whether you’re ticking off 400m in a super sprint distance triathlon or the full 2.4 mile swim in an Iron-distance event. But it’s still an important part of your overall race experience.
Whether you’re looking for a fast swim split heading into T1, a tough swim course to make the most of your swimming abilities. Or just the most scenic way to start race day. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best triathlon swims worth adding to your bucket list.
Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon
Location: Patagonia, South America
Race distances: 3.8km swim / 180km bike / 42.2km run
Swim location: Aysen Fjord
Why it makes the list: a next-level challenge that rewards those who dare to take it on with incredible scenery
The prospect of leaping off the back of a passenger ferry into icy cold water might not sound like the nicest way to start a triathlon. But after speaking to Laura Siddall about her experience at Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon in 2023, the swim sounds like a pretty special experience.
“I turned 360 degrees to look back at the boat,” said Laura as she reflected on her race day experience. “I was presented with this iconic image of the opening of the boat, and the athletes jumping into the water. The sky had cleared, and the sun had just started to rise. I could see the stars, and the mountains behind the boat. The first light of the sun was just starting to hit the whites of the snow caps, giving them this pinkish glow. That was all I needed to see. It was such a magical image, that will be in my head forever.”
If you can get past the cold water, and momentarily forget about the incredibly challenging bike and run that await you once you get back to dry land. The swim at Patagonman sounds like an amazing way to start a long day of swim-bike-run.
IRONMAN California
Location: Sacramento, USA
Race distances: 3.8km swim / 180km bike / 42.2km run
Swim location: American River
Why it makes the list: One of the fastest full-distance triathlon swims on the race circuit
From an extreme triathlon, to a triathlon with an extremely fast swim course. Taking place in Sacramento, IRONMAN California is one of the favourite full distance races in the USA with age groupers thanks to its super-fast down river swim – backed up by a PR-ready bike and run.
According to IRONMAN, the average swim time here in 2023 was just shy of 1 hour 6 minutes. So if you’re looking to set a new fastest IRONMAN time. Or – like many of us age-groupers – the swim is you’re least favourite part of a triathlon and you just want to get it over so you can hop on your bike and get to the ‘fun part’. IRONMAN California is one of the best full distance triathlon swims going if you’re looking for a fast time.
Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee
Location: Austria
Race distances: 1.9km swim / 90km bike / 21.1km run
Swim location: Lake Walchsee
Why it makes the list: Crystal clear drinking quality water, with the dream-like backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range
Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee is one of the largest triathlon events in Austria, with athletes flocking to the start line to make the most of the incredible scenery and the challenging – but spectacular bike course. It’s got to be up there with one of the most beautiful triathlon swim locations going. The water is drinking-water quality and crystal clear. And the sight of the sun rising over the mountains as you swim will make for a rather special start to race day.
The Lakesman
Location: Keswick, UK
Distances: 1.9km swim / 90km bike / 21.1km run
Swim location: Derwentwater lake
Why it makes the list: UNESCO World Heritage-listed scenery and crystal clear water
Taking place in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lake District in the UK, The Lakesman triathlon offers up a middle distance race, plus swim-bike and bike-run options. With a backdrop of rugged fell mountains and sweeping valleys, participants will make their way through the 1.9km swim in the crystal clear Derwentwater lake – often cited as the most scenic of the lakes in the area.
If the city sights of Dubai aren’t calling to you, The Lakesman is a strong contender for one of the most naturally beautiful triathlon swim courses on the race calendar.
Challenge Roth
Location: Roth, Germany
Race distances: 3.8km swim / 180km bike / 42.2km run
Swim location: Main-Danau Canal
Why it makes the list: Spectator-lined swim course makes for the ultimate atmosphere
The single-lap swim course in the Main-Danau Canal at Challenge Roth might not be the most challenging or scenic. But it more than makes up for that with its incredible atmosphere. Every year, spectators line the swim course in crowds 4 or 5 deep wherever you turn. And the only thing to break up the noise of the roaring crowd, is the iconic sound of the canon firing as more athletes enter the water.
Challenge Roth is one of the best supported triathlon swims you’ll find. Setting the tone for the rest of the day which is essentially the Tour de France of triathlon, where the energy from the crowds who line the course all race long will have you flying all the way to the finish line.
IRONMAN Wales
Location: Tenby, Wales
Race distances: 3.8km swim / 180km bike / 42.2km run
Swim location: North Beach
Why it makes the list: Insane crowds, wild conditions and the added challenge of the run up the infamous ‘zig zag’ stairs
It may no longer have the spectacle of the mass start, but the swim at IRONMAN Wales is still the stuff of legends. Tenby has earned itself the unofficial title of ‘the Iron town’ because this is a place that not only supports race weekend – but fully gets behind it. Crowds swarm to the beach to watch the swim start, creating an electric atmosphere that will last all day as their cheers and roars follow you all the way around the course. Sea conditions can be notoriously tough – one of the many reasons IRONMAN Wales is seen as one of the toughest full distance races going. And you’ve got the added challenge of the run up the ‘zig zag’ stairs to get to transition. But if you can tough it out, the swim at Tenby is a race start you’ll never forget and it’ll earn you some of the ultimate bragging rights.
Singapore T100
Location: Singapore
Race distances: 2km swim / 80km bike / 18km run
Swim location: Marina Bay
Why it makes the list: The only time you’ll ever be able to swim in the famous Marina Bay
Usually off limits for open water swimming, the famous Marina Bay opens up for one weekend only when the T100 Triathlon World Tour rolls into town. And it makes for an incredible start to race day – there’s nothing quite like the surreal experience of swimming underneath the famous Benjamin Sheares Bridge or finding yourself getting distracted by the imposing architecture, usually viewable only from dry land.
Challenge St Polten
Location: Austria
Race distances: 1.9km swim / 90km bike / 21.1km run
Swim location: Viehofne See / Ratzerdorf See
Why it makes the list: Two lakes in one swim, with breathtaking scenery
Challenge St Polten takes athletes on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wachau Valley in Lower Austria. So you know the scenery is going to be epic from start to finish. But beyond the stunning views, what makes this race special is it’s unique swim. You get to swim in not one but two crystal clear lakes, starting with a lap in the Viehofne See, before running 200m to the second lake – the Ratzerdorf See – to complete the 1.9km swim.
Escape from Alcatraz
Location: San Francisco
Race distances: 1.5 mile swim / 18 mile bike / 8 mile run
Swim location: Nr. Alcatraz Island
Why it makes the list: The ultimate triathlon swim start for adrenaline junkies
Regular triathlon swim starts not floating you boat anymore? Get Escape From Alcatraz on your bucket list, and you can leap from a boat into icy cold, potentially shark-infested waters and battle strong currents to get back to shore! The famous Escape From Alcatraz triathlon is the ultimate swim for adrenaline junkies, making for an unforgettable experience.
IRONMAN World Championship Kona
Location: Hawaii
Race distances: 3.8km swim / 180km bike / 42.2km run
Swim location: Kailua Bay, Kona
Why it makes the list: There’s no swim quite like Kona
Turquoise water, glittering in the golden glow of the sunrise. Tropical fish every colour of the rainbow wherever you turn. And if you’re lucky, maybe even a few dolphins to see you on you way. The IRONMAN Kona swim course itself might be a simple out and back, but there’s nothing quite like the experience of starting race day in the Pacific ocean – following in the footsteps (or should that be swim strokes) of so many triathlon legends.
Looking for more inspiration to get your race calendar sorted? Check out our round-up of the fastest triathlon courses, or our ultimate top 10 bucket list triathlons.
