Canaqua Pinawa II

The Canaqua Pinawa II 2026, scheduled for August 8, provides long-distance swimming opportunities in the Winnipeg River with 3000m, 6000m, and 12000m race options. Set at Pinawa Beach, this annual event challenges participants to navigate a river environment dictated by the industrial flow of the Winnipeg River. Swimmers must account for the discharge from the Seven Sisters Generating Station, which releases 1,146 cubic metres of water per second and creates a significant 18.6-metre drop between its forebay and tailrace, influencing the water dynamics along the course. This race serves as a follow-up to the earlier Canaqua Pinawa I held in July, offering a different seasonal perspective on the same river system.

The river environment

As you navigate the channel, the landscape transitions through the rugged terrain of the Boreal Shield ecozone. You will pass near the Whitemouth Falls burial grounds, an area of historical significance marked by three ancient sites that ground the river in a long human history. The banks are frequently populated by white-tailed deer, as the community is recognized as the Deer Capital of Manitoba, making it common to see them grazing near the water line during your swim. The route is also punctuated by the ruins of the original 1901 hydroelectric dam, a landmark that looms over the channel and serves as a reminder of the area's early industrial development. While the path avoids the historical Seven Sisters rapids, now submerged by the power station, the current remains a central factor of the swim. Swimmers occasionally share these waters with local wildlife such as otters or northern pike, and the surrounding bogs serve as protected habitats for the great gray owl, adding a distinct layer of wilderness to the event.