Guided Classique

The International Swim across Lake Geneva

13km between Lausanne and Evian-les-Bains

Choose your dates and swim across Lake Geneva. The Guided Classique Swim traverses Lake Geneva at its widest point, 13km between the beautiful shores of Lausanne (Switzerland) and Evian-les-Bains (France). This border-busting adventure is a must for serious open-water swimmers and an ideal setting for a swimming holiday.

Guided Classique Swims are designed to suit your needs. Swim solo, in relay or as a group. Choose your preferred date-window and let your swim guides escort you from start to finish (the start day and swim direction will depend on the conditions for your window).


Entry Includes

  • Escort boat, pilot and lifeguard.

  • Commemorative souvenir.

  • Swim hat.

Swim Route Across Lake Geneva

Click the image below to enlarge.

 
 
 

How to attempt a swim across Lake Geneva.

Those swimmers who wish to swim across Lake Geneva may complete several steps with the LGSA before they dive in swimming. It is important to be honest about your own abilities and to be aware of the time, effort and training necessary to make an attempt. Please make sure to read all the information here thoroughly before proceeding with your booking. A few key points to remember

  • Any questions concerning your Guided Classique swim should be directed toward the LGSA Secretary here.

  • Remember to confirm when and where to meet your escort boat. Typically swims begin early in the morning and are completed in the afternoon of the following day.

  • Become familiar with what the LGSA requires of swimmers and please read the LGSA rules and note the application deadlines.

Once you believe you are ready to make an attempt you should

  1. Choose your dates. Make sure to book your preferred dates as early as possible (usually a year in advance and no later than the 31st of March in the year of your swim), to ensure you secure the dates you want. Bookings must be made for the entire swim window. Specific days cannot be selected. Your swim may take place at any point during this window, depending on the weather and lake conditions. Remember to be prepared and remain flexible, ensuring that you are available to swim at any point during your swim window.

  2. Secure your dates. Often it is necessary to agree on the terms and conditions and pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your dates.

  3. Complete your paperwork. Upon reservation you will be instructed to complete your Swimmer Information via our online form. You will also download the LGSA Medical and Self-Assessment Swim forms, which must both be completed after the 1st of January in the year of your swim, and at least two weeks before the start of your swim window. Please note the LGSA cannot accept any other medical forms except our own (e.g. CSA or CS&PF) although most doctors are happy to sign off more than one form for different swims during one visit.

    1. Swimmer Information (online form)

    2. SAMPLE Medical Form (Do not use)

    3. SAMPLE Self-Assessment Swim Form (Do not use)

  4. Deadlines.

    1. Deposit: due upon booking (usually a year in advance and no later than the 31st of March in the year of your swim).

    2. Remaining balance: due within 90 days of the deposit, or before the 30th of April in the year of your swim (whichever is sooner).

    3. Swimmer Information: as soon as possible and at least two weeks before the start of your swim window.

    4. LGSA Medical and Self-Assessment Swim forms: after the 1st of January in the year of your swim and at least two weeks before the start of your swim window.

    If you cannot meet these deadlines, then you must make contact with the office well in advance of the above dates to see if your registration can be extended. Any additional paperwork, such as a change of team members and paperwork corrections etc, may attract an additional admin fee and there is no guarantee that this paperwork can be completed on time. Your LGSA registration could be cancelled if it is not completed by the 31st of March so make sure you are not late!

  5. Late Application. The LGSA registers swims with the French and Swiss authorities often many months in advance. Applications and bookings made after the specified deadlines can be processed by the LGSA, but only by arrangement and it is not guaranteed that they will be completed in time for your swim. If you are planning to make a late registration make sure to speak with the LGSA Secretary before booking your swim with a pilot.

So you want to attempt the Guided Classique swim? Click here to start the journey and embark on your dream swim.


FAQ

What is the route?

The route is between Lausanne (Switzerland) and Evian-les-Bains (France). The direction of your swim will depend on the weather conditions on the day. Your escort boat and pilot will guide you along the way.

When is the best time to swim Lake Geneva? Is the water clean?

For the past few years the warmest water temperatures in Lake Geneva have been in July and August, however this is not guaranteed and it is impossible to specify the best day for a swim attempt. Temperatures can range anywhere between 18ºC and 25ºC and the water quality has been described as ‘excellent’. The locals generally take great pride this status, with many public swimming zones along the shores of the lake.

Swim window

Typical swim windows are from Monday to Friday. The actual day of your swim will be decided based on the meteorological conditions and the priority of your reservation - several swims may be booked during the same window, and are prioritised according to who reserved first. The LGSA asks that you remain flexible and ensure that you are available to swim at any point during your swim window

Support person and feeding

You must arrange a support person to accompany your swim on the escort boat. This is key to the success of your swim as they will provide your feeds and any other personal needs you might have. Solo swimmers may bring a maximum of two support persons.

Is the Guided Classique Swim an event or a race?

A Guided Classique Swim is a private swim arranged just for you/your group to suit your needs. It is neither a mass participation event nor a race.

Can I swim as part of a relay or in a group?

Yes you can! You can swim in a group of up to four swimmers, however all swimmers must swim at the same pace and stay together throughout the swim. Alternatively you can also form a relay team.

What pace shall I put down?

You must provide us with your average time for completing one kilometre in open-water, during training or at an open-water swim event (if one time is faster then write the faster one). Remember, if swimming in a group all swimmers must swim at the same pace, at least 30 mins per km or faster, in order to complete the distance comfortably within the time limits.

Is there a time limit?

Typically swimmers complete the distance in between three and six hours. There is a maximum time limit of seven hours to complete the swim.

What if the weather is bad?

If the forecast is looking bad we will contact you in the days before your chosen date to assess the available options.

Are wetsuits allowed?

Yes! You and your team are welcome to swim with or without a wetsuit. Bear in mind that wetsuit swims/relays will be recorded under a separate classification in the LGSA records.

Are there any requirements to attempt the swim?

Yes all swimmers are required to undergo a medical examination and provide a medical certificate prior to their swim. A Guided Classique Swim is both physically and mentally demanding, and can place a great deal of stress on your body.

Where should I stay?

Where swimmers stay is down to preference, with many choosing to stay in Lausanne or Evian. For general information on the area visit our Travel and accommodation page under Resources.

How do I find other aspiring Lake Geneva swimmers?

If you would like to meet other swimmers you can find Lake Geneva swimming forums online and dedicated groups on social media. Try searching for open water swimming clubs or Facebook/other social media platforms.

 
 

Results and Swim Times

 

Successful Guided Classique Solos

NameNationalityRouteDateTime (Hrs:Mins:Secs)Observations
Jérôme DidierFranceLausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 June 202304:22:25
Steve BergerUnited KingdomLausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 June 202304:09:42Wetsuit
Martina DuignanIrelandLausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 June 202304:56:17
Stephen WhiteUnited KingdomLausanne to Évian-les-Bains6 July 202305:19:09Wetsuit
Andrea O’BrienUSALausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 July 202305:51:00
Klaas van GeijnNetherlandsLausanne to Évian-les-Bains27 July 202305:57:50Wetsuit
Alaa MasoSyriaLausanne to Évian-les-Bains7 August 202303:47:43Wetsuit
Laure VuezFranceLausanne to Évian-les-Bains11 August 202305:35:47Wetsuit
Réjane LacosteSwitzerlandLausanne to Évian-les-Bains22 August 202306:27:33Wetsuit
Fins
Board
Lucie Kubesova LeisovaCzech Republic
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains1 September 202304:22:07
Brett DavisAustralia
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains5 September 202305:08:46
Laurent SchneiderSwitzerland
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains17 June 202405:27:31Wetsuit
Contact with boat
Dennis UshakovRussia
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains25 June 202404:33:36Wetsuit
Valentine MariéFrance
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains25 June 202404:40:19Wetsuit
Ahmad AlsandiKuwait
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 June 202405:44:06Wetsuit
Brandon GuestUSA
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains5 July 202404:48:38
Rebecca HamiltonUSA
Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains15 July 202404:35:55
 

Successful Guided Classique Relays

NameNationalitySwimmersRouteDateTime (Hrs:Mins:Secs)Observations
William Chuck Bruce Henman
Oscar Emile Sanger
United Kingdom
Denmark/United Kingdom
2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains31 July 202304:44:10
 

Successful Guided Classique Group Swims

NameNationalitySwimmersRouteDateTime (Hrs:Mins:Secs)Observations
Antoine BlouinFrance2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains26 June 202304:31:10
Thibault De La Taille
Dimitri Kremp
Charles Renard
Cyriac Parisot
France4Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains4 July 202306:46:28Wetsuit
Support swimmer
Emmanuel Daniere
Raffaele Scarinzi
France
Italy
2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains15 August 202304:40:39
Claudia de Carvalho
Christian Serena
Switzerland2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains22 August 202304:22:42
Guillaume Liegey
Julien Leterrier
France
2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains30 August 202304:51:20Wetsuit
Nicolas Virag
Pascal Poggioli
Belgium
France
2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains18 June 202405:03:33Wetsuit
Graham Miller
Stuart Crouch
United Kingdom
2Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains5 July 202404:36:33Wetsuit
 
 

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