The Lake Tahoe Marathon Swim Federation (LTMSF) is a governing body that oversees and ratifies open water marathon swims on the stunning Lake Tahoe. As the premier authority on long-distance swimming in this alpine lake, the LTMSF ensures that all sanctioned events are completed within established rules and guidelines, prioritizing safety, professionalism, and transparency.
Overview of the LTMSF
The LTMSF’s primary mission is to promote and ratify open water marathon swims on Lake Tahoe. The federation offers several sanctioned courses, including the Length (21.3 miles), True Width (12 miles), and Vikingsholm (10.6 miles). Swimmers can participate in these events solo, tandem, relay, or even attempt a two-way (round-trip) challenge.
Courses and Distances
Length
The Length course is a challenging 21.3-mile (34.3 km) swim, typically undertaken from south to north across the lake.
True Width
The True Width course covers a distance of 12 miles (19.3 km), defined by the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association (LTOWSA) as a mid-length marathon swim.
Vikingsholm
The Vikingsholm course is a 10.6-mile (16.9 km) diagonal shortcut across the southern part of the lake.
Awards and Challenges
Lake Tahoe Triple Crown
Swimmers who complete all three courses (Length, True Width, and Vikingsholm) are awarded the prestigious Lake Tahoe Triple Crown distinction.
Five Tails of Tessie
An even more challenging swim, the Five Tails of Tessie, involves completing all five courses (Length, True Width, Vikingsholm, The Godfather, and The Thunderbird) for a total distance of approximately 69.3 miles (111.5 km).
Governance and Safety
The LTMSF ensures that all swims are completed within established rules and guidelines, with unbiased observers and careful swim record reviews. Safety is a top priority, and the organization works to maintain professionalism and transparency in its operations.
Resources and Partnerships
The LTMSF website provides detailed information on the available courses, rules, and ratification processes. Swimmers can also contact the federation directly at [email protected].
The LTMSF works closely with the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association (LTOWSA), the governing body that provides leadership and oversight for open water swimming in Northern California. Additionally, the federation partners with SwimTahoe, a professional swim tour operator that offers guided swim tours and support for marathon swimmers on Lake Tahoe.
References
- Lake Tahoe Marathon Swim Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.laketahoemarathonswimfederation.org
- Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tahoeopenwater.org
- Lake Tahoe Marathon Swim Federation. (n.d.). SWIMS ROUTES. Retrieved from https://www.laketahoemarathonswimfederation.org/swims-routes
- SwimTahoe. (n.d.). Conquer the Ultimate Open Water Challenge with SwimTahoe. Retrieved from https://www.swimtahoe.com/swim-lake-tahoe/
- SwimTahoe. (n.d.). Lake Tahoe Marathon Swimming • 3 Marathon Courses. Retrieved from https://www.swimtahoe.com/.