Swim the Bear
- Date
- June 28, 2026
- Distance
- Swim the Bear - 1.2 Mile Open Water Swim · Swim the Bear - 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim
From the Organizer
Dive in to this incredible Open Water Swim Race on Big Bear Lake!
Join us as we bring a new discipline of endurance sports to Big Bear Lake. Swim the Bear is part of Big Bear’s Paddlefest. This year featuring both 1.2 and 2.4 mile races held back to back. The course starts on the sand at Swim Beach, head out to the tip of Eagle Point, and then returns for an exit onto the grass at Ski Beach Park. 2 Laps for the longer distance!
Registration includes: Race SWAG, Finishers Medal, and Awards Eligibility
Cash Prize for Overall Male and Female winners.
Age Group Winners Awards - Junior (<18), Open, Masters (40+)
Average water temperature in August is 70 degrees.
Wetsuits are allowed but not eligible for awards.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
78°
Typical Low
47°
Chance of Rain
4%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Big Bear Lake, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Big Bear Lake, CA
Elevation
7,092 ft
Nearest Airport
SBD
San Bernardino International Airport · 21 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Swim the Bear, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Swimming races near Big Bear Lake, CA
Open Water Swim Clinics
345 miles away
Pier to Cove Swim - La Jolla, CA
98 miles away
Crown City Open Water Swim
108 miles away
Columbia Crossing Swim
838 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
Swimming events drop you into something that demands navigation, feel, and focus all at once. It's a sport that rewards the quietly competitive — the ones who do the work in the water before anyone's watching.
Open Water Swimming
Open water races from 1 mile to marathon distance. Just you, the water, and whatever you've got left.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Swim the Bear?
- Swim the Bear is a swimming race held in Big Bear Lake, California on June 28, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more swimming races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Swim the Bear?
- Sunday, June 28, 2026 in Big Bear Lake, California at 41216 Park Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Swim the Bear?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Swim the Bear
Jun 28, 2026