2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

DAM's Annual Lake Berryessa Swim is one of the longest running open water swim events in America. Started in 1981 as a friendly lake swim, this event now attracts over 500 swimmers each year to the shores of Lake Berryessa.

Location: Steele Canyon Campground, Steele Canyon Road, Lake Berryessa, Napa, CA (map)

Course: 1-mile and 2-mile looped courses in a freshwater lake. 1 loop for 1 mile swim, and 2 loops for 2-mile swim. See course maps at bottom of page.

Host: Davis Aquatic Masters. Race Director: Kevin Waterson, berryessa@damfast.org. Meet Referee: Kate Stephensen.

Sanction: The adult races are sanctioned by Pacific Masters Swimming for USMS, Inc.

Conditions/Safety: Expected water temperature is 68-72 degrees. Course is patrolled by safety craft. Individual escorts are not allowed. All swimmers must wear the provided swim cap and follow all USMS Open Water rules. Mandatory safety briefings will be held approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of each event. The Event Safety Plan will be posted at the registration desk on race day and is available prior to race day by request from berryessa@damfast.org.

Start: Deep water, wave starts (see below). Finish: Onshore.

Cutoff times: For 2-mile events, 2 hours after wave start.  For 1-mile events, 1 hour after wave start. Safety craft will remove swimmers who fall short of the cutoff times.

Seed Times for Start Waves: Entrants will provide estimated 1650 yd or 1500 meter pool time to be used to seed start waves. Those in Category 2 (wetsuit division) will all be placed in the same heat.

Eligibility: This event is open to USMS registered swimmers, or members of an equivalent organization (for foreign swimmers only). To register for the event, you must provide proof of current membership. You may register as a non-USMS member and a One-Day Event Membership (OEVT) will be assigned during the online entry, but the $20 discount will not be applied. 

Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Event insurance is available via the RunSignUp registration portal.

Scoring Divisions: Divided by gender in five-year increments according to USMS Rules (18-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.).

Awards: Official Lake Berryessa Swim branded gifts will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each designated USMS age group for the 1 and 2 mile races in Category 1. Awards for the Category 2 races will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers, regardless of age. You must pick up awards at the race. We will not mail awards. 

Race Day Parking/Facility Use Fee: Race Day Facility Use fees (includes parking) are $6.50 per entrant. This fee includes day use-pass for the main site, environmental protection fees, and parking on campground sites below and above the race area. When you get to the race, parking attendants will direct you to the nearest possible parking space.