Wānaka Lake Swimmers Club Join the club
Safety

Swim safe, and keep the lake clean

Lake Wānaka is an alpine lake: just under 10°C at the end of winter and just under 20°C at the end of summer, with 15 to 17°C normal over summer. Temperatures are very local and can change by several degrees overnight when the wind gets up.

Every swim

  • Don't swim alone.
  • Wear a bright swim cap and pull a tow float.
  • Take a kayak or SUP escort, especially away from shore.
  • Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
  • Respect the conditions: temperature, weather, wind, waves and distance.
  • Know your physical and psychological limits.
  • Wear the right gear. If you are not used to cold water, a wetsuit, cap, gloves or booties.
  • Stay where you can see the bottom until you are comfortable in deep water.
  • Stay alert to other lake users.

Other lake users

  • Boats and jet skis. Powered craft must stay under 5 knots within 50 m of a swimmer and 200 m of the shore, and anyone towing must carry a spotter. December and January are the busiest months.
  • Rowers go backwards and may not see you, usually early in the morning. Call out.
  • Kite surfers are fast and not looking for swimmers. They like the windy days.
  • Sailing. Regattas run Thursday evenings in Roys Bay. Avoid it then.
  • Don't swim in the waterski lanes or near commercial jetties.

Water quality

The lake is generally clean, and council water quality alerts are rare. The club will pass them on. Take care after heavy rain, especially after a dry spell, when the first flush washes debris and runoff into the lake. For live temperature, oxygen and clarity, see the ORC monitoring buoy at the mouth of Roys Bay.

Duck itch

Itchy raised bumps from a parasite carried by scaup ducks and lake snails. Not contagious. It is worst in shallow water with an onshore breeze, from late November. Sunscreen containing phenoxyethanol on exposed skin is your best prevention. Antihistamines and anti-itch cream help. Try not to scratch; it lasts about a week.

Check, Clean, Dry

Open water swimmers have a legal duty to stop freshwater pests like didymo moving between waterways.

  1. Before you swim, all gear must have been completely dry for at least 48 hours. If not, do step 3.
  2. After you swim, check yourself and your gear for weed.
  3. Soak wetsuit, cap and goggles for at least 1 minute in water with 5% biodegradable dishwashing liquid. A chlorinated pool works too.
  4. Moving to a different lake or river within 48 hours? Do step 3 after every swim.