More than 1,100 swimmers are registered for the 110th La Jolla Cove Swim on Sunday, Sept. 13, roughly double the field from three years ago.
The number is about 200 higher than last year's race, according to race director Aaron Brennan, who has led the event for four years. The growth means more money for the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego, a nonprofit that provides free swimming lessons to local children and teens. The race has donated about $100,000 to the foundation over the past three years, lajolla.ca reported.
"It's an iconic swim … It's a big deal," Brennan said, noting competitors travel from Thailand and Europe to enter.
The Kiwanis Club of La Jolla hosts the annual open-water race, which dates to 1916. Originally called the La Jolla Rough Water Swim, it launched as a sporting event tied to San Diego's Panama-California Exposition. The La Jolla Cove Swim Club calls it the second-oldest open-water swim in the United States. Brennan said he hopes to restore the original name as early as 2027.
The race is always held the Sunday after Labor Day. Four events are scheduled for Sept. 13:
- 8 a.m. — Leopard Shark 3-Mile Swim, formerly the Gatorman (ages 18+), La Jolla Cove to Scripps Pier and back
- 8 a.m. — The Whole Enchilada, combining the Leopard Shark and Sea Lion swims (ages 18+)
- 10:30 a.m. — Sea Lion 1-Mile Swim (ages 13+)
- 10:30 a.m. — Garibaldi Groms Fun Swim (ages 6–12)
A sold-out "welcome swim" returns for its second year at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The orientation is designed for race entrants who have not previously swum the Cove and includes a guided tour to Sunny Jim's sea cave. Brennan said the session helps newcomers learn to navigate without lane lines in open water, where conditions differ sharply from a pool.
Regular registration closed Monday, Aug. 31, but late and same-day sign-ups remain available at runsignup.com. Average ocean water temperature at La Jolla in September runs about 70 degrees, according to race organizers.
Watching from shore is free. The race starts from La Jolla Cove.
