Oliver Turner initiated this open water swim event while a graduate student at Colorado State University. He came up with the idea of a long-distance swim that would challenge the swimmers and also be a fundraiser for the Wingshadow Foundation. In 2003 the 2.4 mile swims were added. With the first age group (1000 yard, 250 yard) swims being added in 2006 at Carter Lake. In 2007, all swims were brought back to Horsetooth and the swim name changed to the "Horsetooth Swim" and the beneficiary changed to Team Fort Collins, who was one of the beneficiaries in 2006 as well.
| Date | Location | Distance | Route | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 1999 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10 km | Satanka Bay to South Bay Beach | Water temp ~68° F (20C) 11 men, 4 women |
| Sep 9, 2000 | Carter Lake | ~7.7 km (~4.8 miles) | Out and back from swim beach | Water temp 64 - 66°F(~18C) 16 men, 8 women |
| Aug 4, 2001 | Horsetooth Reservoir | ~9.6km (~6 miles) | Out and back from Sail and Saddle | Water temp ~70° F (21C) 16 men, 4 women |
| Aug 3, 2002 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10 km (6.2 miles) | Out and back from Sail and Saddle | Water temp ~60 - 68° F (15.5-20C) 11 men, 7 women |
| Jul 13, 2003 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10 km (6.2 miles), 2.4 miles | Out and back from Sail and Saddle | Water temp ~68° F (~20C) 10 km - 18 men, 6 women 2.4 mile - 24 no wetsuit, 19 with wetsuit See here for a photo of the lake and description of the course from this year. |
| Aug 15, 2004 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10 km (6.2 miles), 2.4 miles | South Bay Boat Ramp(North) to Satanka Bay | Water temp ~69° F (~20C) 10 km - 29 men, 21 women 2.4 mile - 45 no wetsuit, 26 with wetsuit |
| Aug 14, 2005 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10 km (6.2 miles), 2.4 miles | South Bay Boat Ramp(North) to Satanka Bay | Water temp ~68 ° F (~20C) 10 km - 32 men, 16 women 2.4 mile - 62 no wetsuit, 48 with wetsuit |
| Aug 5, 2006 | Carter Lake Reservoir | 2.4mile | Out and back from swim beach | Water Temp ~72F (~22C) 42 no wetsuite, 27 with wetsuit |
| Aug 12, 2006 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10K (6.2mile) | South Bay Boat Ramp(South) to Satanka Bay | Water Temp ~72F (~22C) 57 Men, 35 Women USMS Long Distance Open Water Championship |
| Aug 12, 2007 | Horsetooth Reservoir | 10K, 2.4 & 1 mile, 1000 & 250 yard | South Bay Boat Ramp(South) to Satanka Bay(10K) Satanka Cove |
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The 2000 Carter Lake swim occurred because of water was drained from Horsetooth to allow the dams to be repaired. The out and back swims of 2001 to 2003 occurred because of low water levels in Horsetooth. The Army Corps of Engineers lowered the water level significantly in order to repair/rebuild the 4 dams that created the reservoir. This meant the reservoir was not long enough to complete 10 km from end-to-end as in the first year. Following completion of construction, Horsetooth was allowed to refill and a continuous, 1-way, 10 km swim is back in place.