NEKOWSA Schedule of Swims in 2027
Discover the Northeast Kingdom – “An unlikely mecca of open water swimming.”
Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival – February 27-28, 2027. 25-meter, 50-meter, 100 meter, and 200-meter races, plus the fiercest of hat competitions. Plus the Flag and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the EastSide and Warm Up at Jasper’s Tavern on Friday and a Stay Play Jay Day on Monday. And yes, it’s …. TOTALLY COLD.
The ONLY two-lane, 25-meter winter swimming pool cut in the ice in all of the Americas.
“For two days in February, Newport is the Happiest Place on the Planet.” Septuagenarian from Toronto
Kingdom Swim – July 24, 2027 – Our Flag Ship Swim – A robust weekend; Kingdom Nation celebrating open water swimming in the Heart of the Kingdom in the Heart of the Summer. On Saturday, we offer courses of varying distances including our 25 km Border Buster, 10 miles, 10 km, 5 km, and 1 mile. With ¼ mile and 100-yard options just for youth. Warm up and Ceiling Signing by Swimmer Scouts at Jasper’s Tavern on Friday afternoon. On Sunday, many go for an informal “cool down” swim at Lake Willoughby.
Silver Medal Finalist for Best Event in the World in 2023
as voted on by members of the World Open Water Swimming Association.
Memphremagog and Willoughby Swims – July 30-31, 2027 – Two very special swims in some of the most spectacular waters in Vermont. At Lake Memphremagog, the islands of Derby Bay are our buoys. We offer 2 mile, 3.5 mile, 6.5 mile and 12 mile options. Willoughby’s magnificent cliffs, depths reaching 400 feet of black water, pristine. Laid Back – Magical – Restorative – Summer at its best.
The islands of Derby Bay and beyond are our buoys in
one of the most beautiful sections of Lake Memphremagog
Willoughby is simply majestic and pristine
She appears regularly on lists of the top 100 swims in the world.
In Search of Memphre – Summer of 2027 = Our iconic, 25-mile, international swim between Newport, VT and Magog, QC. Some 73 Swimmer Scouts have completed at least one leg of this lake since we started this swim in 2011 to promote a more open border with our neighbors in Canada and search for our elusive and swimmer friendly lake creature, Memphre. This year we are offering eight three-day windows in June, July, August, and September (we pick the best day of the three to swim) with room for one or two swimmers in each window. Each swimmer is supported by a motorboat and two experienced pilots.
“I have done more than 125 open water events as a swimmer and 30 events as coach for other swimmers but the Search of Memphre is my new number one. Dear people at Kingdom Games you will always have a place in my heart.” – Peter Wortelker, husband and crew for Anke Holme, eighth person to complete the Triple Crown of Lake Monster Swims from Hamburg, Germany.
“Most beautiful and joyful swim of my life!” – Liz Fry of Westport, Connecticut.