What's the challenge?
X-WATERS Baikal is an open water swimming event held in the planet's greatest lake, with distances of 500 m, 1 mile and 6 k. It is preceded by a six-day swimming camp.
The Races: The three competitive races are held on one day-July 19. You can choose one or two distances (500 m distance can be combined with the 6 k or 1 mile). You can use our transfer service from Irkutsk to Kurma Bay. Using the transfer includes accommodation near the start point — either in tents on the shore or at the recreation center.
All camp participants are automatically registered as participants of the swim event.
The Camp: Baikal is worth spending a little extra time on, and here’s what we’ve come up with for you. Our Baikal camp is six days on the Maloye More and Olkhon Island, during which we will:
• swim to our heart's content in Lake Baikal, discovering new routes every day;
• visit 5 islands, 5 beaches, countless cliffs and grottos, one ground squirrel village, three bird towns, and a Buddhist Stupa;
• explore the surrounding nature with a guide;
• discover Olkhon Island – the world center of shamanism and the main attraction of the entire Baikal region; • (!)your non-swimming friends and family can join you during the camp (July 14–19), accompanying you by boat, sharing every geographic discovery, and participating in the camp as full members;
• bonfire and guitar - the best networking you can imagine;
• on the sixth day, swim across the Maloye More (or the Baikal Mile), receive medals, and celebrate our achievements as part of the X-WATERS Baikal 2026 swim.
The Races: The three competitive races are held on one day-July 19. You can choose one or two distances (500 m distance can be combined with the 6 k or 1 mile). You can use our transfer service from Irkutsk to Kurma Bay. Using the transfer includes accommodation near the start point — either in tents on the shore or at the recreation center.
All camp participants are automatically registered as participants of the swim event.
The Camp: Baikal is worth spending a little extra time on, and here’s what we’ve come up with for you. Our Baikal camp is six days on the Maloye More and Olkhon Island, during which we will:
• swim to our heart's content in Lake Baikal, discovering new routes every day;
• visit 5 islands, 5 beaches, countless cliffs and grottos, one ground squirrel village, three bird towns, and a Buddhist Stupa;
• explore the surrounding nature with a guide;
• discover Olkhon Island – the world center of shamanism and the main attraction of the entire Baikal region; • (!)your non-swimming friends and family can join you during the camp (July 14–19), accompanying you by boat, sharing every geographic discovery, and participating in the camp as full members;
• bonfire and guitar - the best networking you can imagine;
• on the sixth day, swim across the Maloye More (or the Baikal Mile), receive medals, and celebrate our achievements as part of the X-WATERS Baikal 2026 swim.
The main: This is NOT a training camp where you'll shave 5 seconds off your 100 m. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the true, wild beauty of Baikal—from its crystal waters to its majestic shores, surrounded by good company, while improving your open-water swimming skills along the way.
Important! The water in Lake Baikal is cold, even in spots considered relatively "warm." It can warm up to 22°C, but it can also drop to 12°C or lower, even in the warmest area. It's impossible to predict — we can only hope and prepare.
Join the chat for swim participants in Telegram
Important! The water in Lake Baikal is cold, even in spots considered relatively "warm." It can warm up to 22°C, but it can also drop to 12°C or lower, even in the warmest area. It's impossible to predict — we can only hope and prepare.
Join the chat for swim participants in Telegram
Distances
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It's possible to combine 1 mile + 500 m, 6 k + 500 m.
• 500 m
The distances details will be provided at the pre-start briefing. The finish is located at the X-WATERS start venue.
• 1 Baikal Mile
Start is from the beach at Uyuga Spit. The course goes around Sharga-Dagan Island, finishing back at the starting point.
Distances highlights: a turn around a large, stunning cliff, circled by numerous birds. Constantly changing depth (down to 90 meters). Variable wind and wave conditions: the spit shelters swimmers from one side, the cliff from the other, while some sections offer no cover at all—which can make things interesting.
This distance is an excellent way to experience the lake in relatively safe conditions, while still getting a taste of full spectrum of Baikal's emotions.
• 6 k Olkhon
Participants start from Olkhon Island, at the magnificent beach near Cape Shara-Shalun, reach Ogoi Island, round Cape Dragon, and cross the strait to Cape Uyuga, finishing at Uyuga Spit on the mainland.
A serious distance for experienced swimmers. Its unique charm lies in following natural landmarks all the way. You'll encounter varying depths and ever-changing underwater and surface scenery. The distance naturally breaks into several segments, each with very different wind and wave conditions. The second half of the route crosses a very wide section, where you'll truly feel the power of open water. Twice during this swim, we were accompanied by nerpas.
This is an unforgettable adventure for those confident in their abilities who want to truly savor Baikal. Based on our experience, it proves to be FAR EASIER for participants who have completed the training camp.
• 500 m
The distances details will be provided at the pre-start briefing. The finish is located at the X-WATERS start venue.
• 1 Baikal Mile
Start is from the beach at Uyuga Spit. The course goes around Sharga-Dagan Island, finishing back at the starting point.
Distances highlights: a turn around a large, stunning cliff, circled by numerous birds. Constantly changing depth (down to 90 meters). Variable wind and wave conditions: the spit shelters swimmers from one side, the cliff from the other, while some sections offer no cover at all—which can make things interesting.
This distance is an excellent way to experience the lake in relatively safe conditions, while still getting a taste of full spectrum of Baikal's emotions.
• 6 k Olkhon
Participants start from Olkhon Island, at the magnificent beach near Cape Shara-Shalun, reach Ogoi Island, round Cape Dragon, and cross the strait to Cape Uyuga, finishing at Uyuga Spit on the mainland.
A serious distance for experienced swimmers. Its unique charm lies in following natural landmarks all the way. You'll encounter varying depths and ever-changing underwater and surface scenery. The distance naturally breaks into several segments, each with very different wind and wave conditions. The second half of the route crosses a very wide section, where you'll truly feel the power of open water. Twice during this swim, we were accompanied by nerpas.
This is an unforgettable adventure for those confident in their abilities who want to truly savor Baikal. Based on our experience, it proves to be FAR EASIER for participants who have completed the training camp.
When it was born, 30 million years ago, one could walk from Africa to Australia on dry land, and forests were green in Antarctica. The "Blue Eye of Siberia," the "Sacred Sea," the "Planet's Diamond" — all these names refer to it. Baikal's water is unique — it contains very few minerals and organic impurities, and is rich in oxygen. It is exceptionally clear, with visibility reaching dozens of meters.
Kurma Bay, the stage for X-WATERS Baikal 2026, is one of the most beautiful and virtually untouched spots on Baikal's "Maloye More" (Little Sea). The bay is considered one of the warmest on the lake; the water here is usually several degrees warmer than in the rest of Baikal. To the east, the Primorsky Range approaches the bay. To the south, it is defined by Cape Uyuga, stretching out as a two-kilometer-long pebble spit and crowned by an impressive cliff. From the top, a magnificent view opens up of Olkhon, Ogoi, and several smaller islands, dotted with grottos and inhabited by birds. This is the true Baikal!
Kurma Bay, the stage for X-WATERS Baikal 2026, is one of the most beautiful and virtually untouched spots on Baikal's "Maloye More" (Little Sea). The bay is considered one of the warmest on the lake; the water here is usually several degrees warmer than in the rest of Baikal. To the east, the Primorsky Range approaches the bay. To the south, it is defined by Cape Uyuga, stretching out as a two-kilometer-long pebble spit and crowned by an impressive cliff. From the top, a magnificent view opens up of Olkhon, Ogoi, and several smaller islands, dotted with grottos and inhabited by birds. This is the true Baikal!
Registration for a swim
Before registering, please read Swim Regulations and Standard contract
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Agenda
X-WATERS Baikal 2026 Preliminary schedule: Saturday, July 18th 13:00 Group transfer departure from Irkutsk. Sunday, July 19th - 1 Bikal Mile start - 6 k start - 500 m start - A field lunch at the finish for all swim participants - Award Ceremony -16:00-17:00 Group transfer departure to Irkutsk. DO NOT book flights before 22:00! The exact schedule will be known closer to the start. You will receive the participant's racebook 2 weeks before the event.
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Compass Building,
Al Shohada Road,
AL Hamra Industrial Zone-FZ,
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
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