- Simply Red
- Horsetooth Swim

Volunteer | History | Photos | Registration

History
Oliver Turner founded the 10K swim in 1999. That year just 15 swimmers swam from Satanka Cove to the swim beach near South Bay. In the summer of 2000, we were presented with a surprise announcement that the lake would be drained to start work on the dams, so the event was held in Carter Lake in the mountains west of Loveland. In 2001, 2002, and 2003, we found a creative solution to hold the event in half-full Horsetooth Reservoir: While the “dam” work was being done we started at the half way point at the Sail and Saddle Club and swam north to the dam and back. By 2004, the dams were repaired and we set up the current course, starting at South Bay and swimming north to Satanka Cove.

Some highlights and lowlights over the years:

1999: Inaugural event!
2000: Horsetooth drained; 10K swim at Carter Lake
2001: Lucien Harkart from Belgium swam the 10K all breaststroke
2002: 2.4 mile swim events added to the agenda
2003: Water temp was in the mid-50s and several swimmers DNF with near hypothermia
2004: The “dam work” done, participation jumped dramatically.
2005: Rain and fog on race morning
2006: The Horsetooth Swim was the USMS 10K National Championship. Age group events added; these & 2.4 mile swims were held at Carter Lake
2007: Full slate of events at Horsetooth: 10K, 2.4 mile, 1 mile, 1000 yards, 250 yards