Saturday Group Dip at Sp’akw’us Feather Park (2025-02-22)

This is the official Saturday morning winter dip at Sp’akw’us Feather Park!

Time and Place

This swim takes place at the new Sp’akw’us Feather Park in Downtown Squamish. We will meet at the swimmers beach (the right-hand beach if you’re facing the water) at 9:45-9:50am and aim to be in the water by 10:00am. Please allow yourself a few minutes to park, get ready, and check in with the group.

Swim Format

Please join for a dip or a short swim. It’ll be cold, but that why we love it! You can stay in as long as you like, but keep yourself safe by getting out before you get too cold.

Safety

There are no lifeguards at this beach. There could be windsports activities, but they tend to not go out at night. Swimming wild is an amazing experience, but it’s not without risk. This is how we manage it:

– We swim within our own abilities, and need to be honest with ourselves about our abilities if we decide to venture out of our depth. We want to be out of the water long before we get too cold or exhausted
– We swim with a buddy, and check in regularly to see how each other is doing
– We each carry a whistle. If anything happens, you can signal for help
– We each wear a brightly-coloured swim cap (such as your SWS member cap!) or toque. This makes us easy to spot. A brightly-coloured tow float is also highly recommended, and can be great to hold on to when having a break out in the deep water
– We check in with each other, and ensure that no one gets left behind

Swim Gear

Each swimmer is responsible for their own choice of gear, but here are some suggestions:

– A swimsuit or swim apparel of choice (no judgement)
– A wetsuit (optional)
– A brightly-coloured swim cap or toque
– A loud whistle (mandatory if you’re venturing beyond standing depth; available for $5 at our swims)
– Goggles and ear plugs (optional)
– A brightly-coloured tow-float (recommended)

Once you get out of the water, you might want:

– A large towel or two
– A mat or extra towel for standing on while getting changed
– A dry-robe, towel robe, or just a big towel for getting changed under
– Loose clothing that’s easy to pull on when you’re slightly damp. Buttons, zippers, or other fussy things that are difficult to use with numb fingers are not recommended
– Water shoes, crocs, or flip flops
– A warm drink
– A snack

Getting Here and Parking

This location can be accessed by car, bike, or on foot. Here is the location.

About the Location

The beach entry is somewhat gradual, and you can stay within waist-deep water very easily if you wish. The beach is a bit rocky so water shoes or waterproof flip flops are recommended. It can be windy during the afternoon but is typically more calm in the morning.

Washrooms

There are public toilets open during the day.