The LOST Race

Take on the Challenge

The LOST Race is one of Canada's oldest and prestigious open water events, recognized around the world, and attended by swimmers from around the world as well! It is hosted by the Lake Ontario Swim Team (L.O.S.T. Swimming), a non-profit, volunteer run organization founded in 2006.

The LOST Race is a fun, inclusive and competitive 3.8 km (Ironman distance) race in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Oakville has become the top spot for open water racing in Lake Ontario, and the LOST Race, which began in 2008 with just 8 swimmers, has grown to over 200 swimmers each year!

The route is a point to point route and is safe and fun. It is also exceptionally scenic as it passes by one of the most beautiful neighborhoods, with some of the most spectacular and expensive homes in Canada!

The majority of participants are just regular swimmers that are up for a good challenge, but over the years there have also been some pretty amazing swimmers compete too. There's been tons of triathletes (Ironman especially), NCAA and Canadian Varsity swimmers, Olympians, people who have swum the English Channel, around Manhattan, around Key West, the length of Tampa Bay and numerous other marathon swims around the world… and of course there are even a select few who have swum across Lake Ontario!

Starting in 2016 we also started "The LOST Mile"! A bit shorter for those that haven't worked up to the 3.8 km distance or a bit faster for those that want to do a 1 mile sprint! Either way there is something for everyone and both are a lot of fun!

So join us for an epic morning race, splashing around in one of the best open water locations in the world!

Ready to Race? Register for LOST Swimming and Races

What You Need to Know

• The event takes place in Oakville, ON the 3rd Saturday in August!
• The LOST Race is a point-to-point swim
• LOST Race start is at 1 Maple Grove Dr
• LOST Race finish is at Navy St Pier (1 Navy St)
• The LOST Mile is a looped course
• The LOST Mile starts and finishes at the Navy St Pier (1 Navy St), the finish of the LOST Race
• Water temperature can vary year to year, best to plan ahead and consider wearing a wetsuit if it's cold
• Water temperature is usually between 60°F–70°F or 16°C–21°C

Temperature & Safety

Temperature: Lake Ontario is deep and subject to "rollovers" from north winds, which can drastically reduce temperatures overnight. Usually, by mid-August, temperatures range from 63°F to 72°F (17°C - 22°C). In cold years (below 55°F), the race is safely shortened.

Safety First: Tow buoys are mandatory for all swimmers. No exceptions. We have a 2-hour cut-off limit, but officials will adjust this based on water conditions. If conditions ever pose a significant danger, the race will be adjusted or canceled, as safety is our top priority.

Conditions

The conditions on Lake Ontario can vary year to year and over the history of the LOST Race we've seen a bit of everything. While there have been a couple years with some waves typically the race has been flat and smooth. The water is almost always clear with high visibility. Some years there has been a slight positive current aiding swimmers.

Race Cancellation

In the unlikely event that we have to cancel the race for safety reasons (storms, water temperature, rough water conditions, etc) we will unfortunately not be able to provide refunds as all of our costs are paid upfront (insurance, timing system, swag, medals, permits, etc). Naturally this would be our last choice, but we take the safety of our swimmers very seriously and is our top priority. (So far we have never had to cancel a race, but have shortened it). For similar reasons, like most races, we are unfortunately unable to issue individual refunds for any reason.

Awards

We award our much coveted, traditional and handpainted "LOST Rocks" for the top 3 swimmers in 4 categories in both the LOST Race and LOST Mile. The categories are: Male Wetsuit, Female Wetsuit, Male Non-Wetsuit, Female Non-Wetsuit. The first place winners in both the LOST Race and LOST Mile (for all 4 categories) will also have their names engraved on the prestigious LOST Race and LOST Mile trophies! AND... the winners of the LOST Race get their names engraved on the LOST Plaque!

LOST Race All Time Records

LOST Mile All Time Records

LOST Stats

Historical Conditions

• 2025, Aug 16 – 77°F/25°C water, flat, fairly strong current going west, 28°C air
• 2024, Aug 17 – 72°F/22°C water, pretty choppy but quite manageable, 30°C air
• 2023, Aug 19 – 41°F/5°C, coldest ever! Rolled over the night before, and rolled back the day after! Air 30°C
• 2022, Aug 20 – 72°F/22°C, perfect conditions, flat clear and clean water, air 30°C
• 2021, Cancelled due to Covid
• 2020, Aug 22 – 70°F/21°C, beautiful conditions, flat and warm, air 30°C
• 2019, Aug 17 – 65°F/18°C, 1 hour rain delay, then beautiful sunny and clear, air 28°C
• 2018, Aug 18 – 71°F/21°C, fairly big chop, neutral current. Sunny and clear, air 25°C
• 2017, Aug 12 – 47°F/8°C, crazy cold, but the "Fog Year" too! Delay and shorten race! Air 30°C
• 2016, Aug 13 – 72°F/22°C, perfect conditions, flat water, air 35°C. Stormed 2 hours later
• 2015, Aug 8 – 55°F/12°C, the first "Cold Year". Shortened to 1k & 500m. Pretty rough too
• 2014, Aug 9 – 67°F/20°C, flat as a pool and a nice sunny day, not much current, air 26°C
• 2013, Aug 10 – 63°F/17°C, flat as a pool and a nice sunny day, not much current, air 28°C
• 2012, Aug 11 – 73°F/23°C, very rough, rain, strong negative current, overcast, air 25°C
• 2011, Aug 13 – 71°F/21°C, flat water, slight positive current, overcast, air 24°C
• 2010, Aug 14 – 71°F/21°C, very choppy, sunny, air 28°C
• 2009, Aug 15 – 70°F/21°C, flat water, fairly strong positive current, sunny, air 28°C
• 2008, Aug 9 – 60°F/16°C, small waves, overcast, air 22°C

Past Participation

W = wetsuit, N = "naked"/non-wetsuit

• 2025 – 251 finishers (101W / 150N)
• 2024 – 209 finishers (103W / 106N)
• 2023 – 126 finishers (119W / 7N)
• 2022 – 160 finishers (96W / 64N)
• 2021 – 0 finishers – cancelled due to Covid
• 2020 – 43 finishers – informal "Covid Race"
• 2019 – 202 finishers (141W / 61N)
• 2018 – 174 finishers (116W / 58N)
• 2017 – 164 finishers (164W)
• 2016 – 191 finishers (131W / 60N)
• 2015 – 130 finishers (101W / 29N)
• 2014 – 86 finishers (67W / 19N)
• 2013 – 94 finishers (77W / 17N)
• 2012 – 109 finishers (65W / 44N)
• 2011 – 85 finishers (56W / 29N)
• 2010 – 64 finishers (48W / 16N)
• 2009 – 39 finishers (33W / 6N)
• 2008 – 8 finishers (6W / 2N)

Race Results

Race Highlights