# Event Details - **Event Name**: The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 am – Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am (-05:00) - **Event Description**: 8th Annual Wilmette Open Water (WOW) RaceAbout this EventJoin us for the eight annual Wilmette Open Water (WOW) swim. A fully supported one-mile open water swim race.Saturday, June 13th for a 7:00 a.m. start | In the waters of Lake Michigan, just off of Wilmette's Gillson Beach.No sharks, No salt, Occasionally frozen.Each registration includes one official entry, race swim cap, event beach towel, and total bragging rights!Your timing chip, official race swim cap, and towel will be available as you check in on race morning. All check-in will be done at the Gillson Beach House. There will also be time to warm up in the water, prior to the 7:00 a.m. start.No refunds, exchanges, or transfers.Any questions? Just write to ouilmettefoundation@gmail.com and we'll respond quickly. Learn more about the Ouilmette Foundation at Swim Race Day Details:ParkingFree car and bike parking is available in the Gillson Beach Parking lot. Take Lake Avenue east of Sheridan Road and follow it down into the lot.Swimmer Check-InAll swimmers must check-in between 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. to receive chips, body marking, and your official swim cap. There will be two heats – the first being fast, the second being intermediate. We ask that swimmers seed themselves appropriately.We'll be on-site as early as 6:00 a.m. if you really want to get a jump on it. All pre-registered swimmer check-in and walk-up registration will be at the Gillson Beach House.Day of registration is available at 6:15 a.m. at the event, with a $15 premium. This can be payable by check or credit card. Walk-Up Registration will close at 6:45 a.m. No exceptions.Warm-UpWater will be open by 6:45 a.m. for warm-ups.Mandatory Pre-race Talk6:50 a.m. for everyone.The StartThe WOW swim will begin from a standing start in the water. The first wave starts at 7:00 a.m. The second wave starts at 7:10 a.m.The CourseThis is a one-mile out-and-back swim. The course will be clearly marked. Your swim will be fully supported on water and on land. All swimming levels are welcome.You will swim the entire race with the swim buoys on your right and exit the swim with a large buoy on your left.WetsuitsTotally welcome. Your call.The Official TowelWe'll have it waiting for you as you leave the water. Congratulations! Much more cozy than a medal. Additional towels can be purchased through Eventbrite under "Add-Ons" for $30 each.ConditionsWe anticipate great weather and water temp based on experience and historical data. As you know, open water conditions can change quickly. Race directors will make the swim/no swim call as soon as there is visibility on race morning. Should conditions be unsafe for the event, you'll receive a text message calling the event off.We're confident you'll get a great swim in on Saturday.SpectatorsThe more the merrier! Come join us on the beach to cheer the swimmers on. Bring your cowbell.The WOW swim race course outline is below. The start will be just off of the sailing beach. The swim will go south toward the jetty/rocks, turn and finish near the start at the sailing beach. You'll keep the buoys on your right at all times on the way out and back. Good sighting options in both directions. You'll all have very bright neon caps that will NOT be the same color as the buoys. Once you reach the final buoy, you'll see the exit shoot and you're back on the beach through the timing corral. Welcome back and congratulations.The course may be slightly adjusted, based on existing conditions. Please use this for reference: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/d4cd5ca0-8be7-11f0-99cd-752bf2e2ddba-rimg-w1200-h607-dcacbfbf-gmir.jpg Hosted ByOuilmette Foundation for the Parksouilmettefoundationparks@gmail.com(Photo credits to Matthew Gilson) https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/d5050e70-8be7-11f0-99cd-752bf2e2ddba-rimg-w1109-h740-dcc7d0d9-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/wilmette/the-wilmette-open-water-swim-race-2026/100001641240788379 - **Event Categories**: sports, workshops - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 1 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 33.85, max: 76.54, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Wilmette - **state**: IL - **country**: United States - **location**: Gilson Beach House - **lat**: 42.0804304 - **long**: -87.6879561 - **full address**: Gilson Beach House, 101 Lake Ave, Wilmette, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/005c8cea66421bd8433faa3aff45214f46bcaca9a4c0408571c4e7d65056ce39-rimg-w1200-h600-dcef5a28-gmir.jpg?v=1757248882 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 being held? - **A:** The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 takes place on Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 am to Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am at Gilson Beach House, 101 Lake Ave, Wilmette, United States. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026? - **A:** Ticket prices for The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 range from USD 34 to USD 77 depending on the ticket type. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityRace EntryUSD 77 + USD 7 feeAvailableExtra TowelUSD 34 + USD 4 feeAvailable - **Q**: Who is organizing The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026? - **A:** The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026 is organized by Ouilmette Foundation. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "The Wilmette Open Water Swim Race 2026", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/005c8cea66421bd8433faa3aff45214f46bcaca9a4c0408571c4e7d65056ce39-rimg-w1200-h600-dcef5a28-gmir.jpg?v=1757248882", "startDate": "2026-06-13T07:00:00-05:00", "endDate": "2026-06-13T10:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/wilmette/the-wilmette-open-water-swim-race-2026/100001641240788379", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Gilson Beach House", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "101 Lake Ave", "postalCode": "60091", "addressLocality": "Wilmette", "addressRegion": "IL", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "42.0804304", "longitude": "-87.6879561" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "8th Annual Wilmette Open Water (WOW) Race", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2025-09-07", "availabilityEnds": "2026-06-13T10:00:00-05:00", "validFrom": "2025-09-07", "lowPrice": "33.85", "highPrice": "76.54", "price": "33.85", "url": "https://allevents.in/wilmette/the-wilmette-open-water-swim-race-2026/100001641240788379" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2025-09-07", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-09-07", "url": "https://allevents.in/wilmette/the-wilmette-open-water-swim-race-2026/100001641240788379", "price": "76.54", "name": "Race Entry" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2025-09-07", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-09-07", "url": "https://allevents.in/wilmette/the-wilmette-open-water-swim-race-2026/100001641240788379", "price": "33.85", "name": "Extra Towel" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Ouilmette Foundation", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/ouilmette-foundation/18789827" } ] } ] ```