Lake Leschenaultia Open Water Swim

The Lake Leschenaultia Open Water Swim is held at Lake Leschenaultia, Chidlow in the Perth Hills on the 2nd Sunday of November. The 2019 event being held on the 10th November is the 33rd Anniversary of this event.

The event is swum in a freshwater lake and doesn’t present any danger to swimmers except for friendly ducks and the occasional inquisitive long-neck turtle.

There are four distance swims as well as a children’s race at the end of the 4 main events.

Prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Female and Male Swimmers, Spot prizes randomly presented to other competitors and bags of lollies given to all children entered in the Children’s Swim.

Courses

The Lake OWS is comprised of four swims; the first the 400m “Go Jump in the Lake” swim, specifically targeting novice swimmers or those who would like to swim but are not confident or able to swim a longer distance

This will be followed by 800m, 1600m and 3200m swims.

There will be a separate 400m course which will be used for both the 400m & 800m events with a second course of 800m assigned to the 1600m and 3200m events.

Following the completion of the main events, we run one mini OWS (Minnows swim) for the children of competitors, friends and visitors

While you're there

Lake Leschenaultia is set in a National Park and entry to the park is free.

There is a fabulous picnic area, lots of shady trees, free gas BBQ’s and a café that supplies breakfast, lunch, tea & coffee and other refreshments.

The sandy beach area is ideal for small children and there is a lovely walk around the lake for those that enjoy walking or running.

There is a pontoon positioned in the lake which is very popular with both young and older children and provides hours of fun for anyone using it.

Canoes and Stand Up paddles can be hired for anyone planning on staying after the event for a picnic.

There is also a very popular camping ground within the park and adjacent to lake.

Travel and parking

Lake Leschenaultia is a 45 minutes' drive from Perth along the Great Eastern Hwy to Rosedale Road, Chidlow.

The Lake is man-made and was constructed in 1897 for the WA Government Railways to water Steam Engines at the Chidlow Well Station

600 acres of Parkland is now a recreation area ideal for family and group outings, plenty of BBQs, sandy beaches, grassed areas and pleasant and easy walks.

There is plenty of parking inside the park close to the lake and picnic areas.