At 57° North, Change Your Latitude is a combined 10k/6k/3k/1k open water swim located in beautiful Sitka, Alaska. The race is organized by the Baranof Barracuda Swim Club.
The swim course starts adjacent to the Sitka Sound Science Center and follows the shoreline along the Sitka National Historical Park trail. The 10k (open to 18 years and older) loops the course 3 times, the 6k (open to 16 years and older) loops the course 2 times, and 3k (open to 14 years and older) loops the course 1 time. The 1k distance (open to adults and USA Swimming age group registered swimmers 8 and older) follows the main course to a designated turn around buoy.
Swimmers may enter as Male and Female Solo Swimmers. If you do not identify with either category, you may choose to have your time listed separately. Our registration platform has only male and female categories – after registering, email race organizers at CYL57north at gmail so we can note your request.
Registration is open to a total of 70 participants.
The water in Sitka Sound is quite cold. Wetsuits are required unless the participant obtains a wetsuit waiver from the race director/organizers. See the Registration page for more information on qualifying for the event and for wetsuit waivers.
The 10k/6k/3k and 1k swims will be supported by volunteer kayakers scattered throughout the course and by support motor boats outside the course. Swimmers are welcome to provide their own kayak/support paddler. A limited number of kayaks are available to rent through the registration process. We will do our best to match the rental kayaks to the race distance and to the paddler.
Participants renting kayaks or providing their own kayaks are responsible for arranging for a person to paddle the kayak. All support kayaks on the course are required to respond to any swimmer in distress.
NO KAYAK DRAFTING IS ALLOWED. Drafting is defined as “the carrying of a swimmer by the wake of the escort boat, kayak, or other non swimming member registered in the event”. If any participant engages in drafting, and a complaint by another participant is lodged and upheld, the drafting participant will be disqualified.
A banquet and pre-race meeting will take place the the night before the race. The pre-race meeting is MANDATORY for ALL PARTICIPANTS AND THE PADDLER OF THEIR SUPPORT KAYAK (if the swimmer has one). The meeting will review the race course, announce last minute changes, and give instructions for the start of the race. If traveling to Sitka for this event, please arrive in time to attend this meeting or you won’t be able to participate.
register TODAY!
REGISTRATION:
Entry fee for 10k, 6k, and 3k swimmers:
- Early bird entry fee is $150 till June 1st.
- After June 1st, the entry fee is $175 until July 1st.
- After July 1st, the entry fee is $200.
All Entries are due by August 1st at midnight. If registration is full, email cyl57north at gmail to be put on the wait list.
Entry fee for 1k swimmers:
- Entry is $ 75.
Entries will be accepted up to day before race day, if space is available.
Event details and schedule
Friday 8/7/2026 -Pre Race Dinner and Safety Briefing
Location: Blatchley Middle School
- 4:00 PM – Pre-Race Registration
- 5:00 PM – Welcome and Introduction
- 5:15-6:00 PM – Swimmer Safety, Course Review, and other Info
- 6:00 PM – Dinner and social
Saturday 8/8/2026 – Race Day!
Location: adjacent to Sitka Sound Science Center
STAGGERED STARTS:
- 7:30 AM – Starting line gathering – Final Course review and updates
- 8:00 AM – 10K START
- 9:00 AM – 6K START
- 9:45 AM – 3K START
- 11:00 AM – 1K START
- approx. 12:00PM – lunch and celebration
Change Your Latitude 
I am registered for the 10k with a paddler. We are traveling for Portland, OR and will not be bringing a boat. Can you help me coordinate a rental?
Cindy
Do u still
Need volunteers for the race? Safety paddlers perhaps?
What are the dates for 2019? Planning ahead! 🙂
Hey folks, really looking forward to this! Trying to secure my travel plans… on the Facebook page, there is mention of pre-event adventure swim(s). Would love to join! Are you planning on posting these on this website?
Kristy,
At this time we are planning to do swims on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There is usually a small group that will go out on Saturday morning as well. Of course planning for these swims depends largely on weather so we don’t typically announce destinations until the day before or even as we depart the dock. Last year we provided 2 boat excursions and 1 townside swim.
Please let me know if you have other questions. Best to email at bbsc.sitka@gmail.com
Kevin Knox
Race Director
Change Your Latitude
Is this race happening in 2021? What is the date?
Yes the race is scheduled for August 8, 2021. We will do our best to host this year and so far it looks good for Sitka to welcome swimmers back!
That was a very fun race!!! Well organized by a very cheery crew of Sitkans. And fun participants from all over.
There were pre-race adventure swims — with boat rides to exotic local islands. A tasty salmon barbecue the night before the race. A great race venue — with lots of salmon to view while swimming. And good support immediately before and after the swim.
All in all a great experience.
Just do it!