The Signature, also known as 'The Ultimate Trophy Swim', traverses the length of Lake Geneva from Chillon Castle in Veytaux to Bains des Pâquis in Geneva. At approximately 70km it is twice as long as the English Channel and made up entirely of fresh water flowing directly from the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds it. This swim is the ultimate challenge and a considered by many to be one of the toughest open water swims around.
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
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 team requires of swimmers.
When preparing for a Lake Geneva swim, swimmers should carefully consider how to address the many physical and mental challenges they may encounter. Key difficulties include the distance, cold temperatures, nausea, night swimming, and varying water conditions.
- Distance: The swim covers over 70 km between Chillon Castle in Veytaux and Bains des Pâquis in Geneva along the shortest route—more than twice the length of the English Channel! Swimmers must be prepared for this long distance in open water, and the actual distance may be longer due to water movement.
- Cold Temperatures: Water temperatures in Lake Geneva can vary significantly throughout the day—colder in the morning and warming up in the afternoon sun. At night, the temperature can drop as low as 18°C or less. Hypothermia is a serious risk, often coupled with fatigue, and is a common reason swimmers don’t complete the swim. Swimmers should train to acclimatize to cold water and be prepared to swim for long periods in such conditions. Safety is always the top priority, even if it means not reaching the final goal.
- Nausea: Some swimmers may experience nausea or seasickness during their swim. This can affect both the swimmer and the crew, and it’s important to take preventative measures. Since this issue varies from person to person, it’s helpful to seek advice from swimmers who have dealt with similar symptoms.
- Night Swimming: If the swim will take longer than 16 hours, swimmers will need to swim through the night, often in near-total darkness. This can cause disorientation, vertigo, and sometimes nausea, due to impaired vision and a reduced depth perception. Successful swimmers typically have prior experience with night swimming and use glow sticks or other navigational aids to maintain direction.
- Water Conditions: The weather and lake conditions can be highly unpredictable and complex, including factors like temperatures, currents, and waves. These conditions are often underestimated, but it’s crucial for swimmers to understand and prepare for these elements to ensure their safety and increase their chances of success.
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About The Host
The association is widely recognized by swimmers around the world for its ability to facilitate and adjudicate attempts to swim the full length of Lake Geneva (the Signature swim). These swims are conducted under established rules and in accordance with the principles and spirit of open water marathon swimming, as recognized since the sport’s inception.
The organization has the necessary permissions from both Swiss and French authorities to facilitate swims across Lake Geneva and is the most experienced entity in managing these crossings.
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
When is the best time to swim Lake Geneva?
Typically the swim season in Lake Geneva runs from late June to early September however it is impossible to specify the best day for a swim attempt due to the unpredictability of the weather and conditions on the lake, including water temperature, which can range anywhere between 18ºC and 25ºC. Note however that these temperatures are more susceptible to abrupt changes than in a larger body of water such as the sea. Earlier on in the season the lake is still warming up however you can expect longer days, whilst towards the end of the season the daylight hours are shorter and the water temperature can vary depending on the recent conditions.
Are there requirements to attempt a Lake Geneva swim?
Yes. For a solo attempt the LGSA requires that you have a certified self-assessment swim consisting of a ten hour swim, followed by a seven hour swim the following day, in water that is 18ºC/64ºF or colder. For relay attempts the self-assessment swim consists of two 2 hour swims completed on the same day, in water that is 18ºC/64ºF or colder. The self-assessment swim should not be treated as your sole preparation for your swim, but rather it is to give you a good idea of what you are preparing for, and to make you aware of the dangers. Do not practice swimming alone.
Where do I train and how do I acclimatise to the cold water?
Swimmers generally build up their resistance for endurance swimming in swimming pools over the winter, whilst completing regular outdoor swims in order to remain acclimatized to the cold water. The open water training season generally begins in May and continues all throughout the swim season. You can ask swimmers in your local area about open water swimming clubs and ways to train with other swimmers. It is not recommended to swim alone.
If you are planning to swim Lake Geneva you will need to do swims much longer than your self-assessment swim. Swims can take anywhere between 24 and 34 hours to complete. The more cold water swimming you do the more likely your body is going to adapt to the conditions.
Remember that swimming in fresh water is not the same as salt water and you should be aware of these differences before you begin your training.
How do I find other aspiring Lake Geneva swimmers?
It is a good idea to speak to other aspiring swimmers and you can look in your area open water swimmers. Try to gather local knowledge and searching online for open water swimming clubs or Facebook/other groups on social media.
What should I eat and drink?
A swimmer’s nutrition plan is specific to each individual. You will need to refuel throughout your swim attempt therefore you should experiment with different liquids and solids to see what works for you. Never try something new on the day.
Do you provide support crew?
Support crew is your responsibility and and it is important to have a crew that you can rely on and that knows your swimming habits. It is a long swim and your crew should be prepared for little sleep and fluctuating temperatures. The term ‘support crew’ should not be confused with, and does not refer to the skippers, lifeguard(s) and observer(s) who will be onboard your escort boat. These are essential to your swim therefore make sure you check with the LGSA how many crew you plan on bringing.
Each vessel is equipped with the necessary facilities to accompany this kind of swim, nevertheless it is advisable to double check with your skippers the sleeping cabin, toilet and stove arrangements as each boat may vary.
How early can I register for my swim?
You may register as early as you like. Most swimmers book long in advance to try and secure their preferred dates.
Is the water clean? What’s the water temperature?
The water quality has been described as ‘excellent’ and the locals generally take great pride this status, with many public swimming zones along the shores of the lake. The water temperature can range anywhere between 18ºC and 25ºC, however please note that these temperatures are not guaranteed, being more susceptible to abrupt changes than in a larger body of water such as the sea, and will depend entirely on the weather conditions in the weeks and days leading up to the event.
Are there any currents?
As with all large bodies of water movement is inevitable. Previous swimmers have given mixed reports of various currents on the lake, and these will depend largely on the conditions just before and during your swim attempt. Nevertheless you should train appropriately for your swim and not rely on any current to carry you to Geneva.
Where should I stay?
Where swimmers stay is down to preference, with many choosing to stay in Geneva in order to shorten the ride home after their swim.
Where do I meet my escort boat?
This should be specified and agreed beforehand with your skipper. Typically swimmers meet the support boat the morning of their scheduled departure at the dock in Villeneuve. You then sail the short distance to Château de Chillon from where swims normally start. As mentioned above no one can predict accurately the weather conditions more than a few days in advance of your swim window. Occasionally accurate forecasts can only be made a day or two beforehand, and even these may be subject to change.
Do people not make it?
Whilst we hope success to everyone, swimmers may not complete their swim attempt for a variety of reasons. Do not be disheartened, however, as certain swimmers do make it. In the words of Winston Churchill - “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”