SCAR Swim Challenge - results index
The S.C.A.R. Swim Challenge is a stage swim in a series of four reservoirs in the Tonto National Forest, Arizona. Founder Kent Nicholas has organized the event annually since 2012.
Also see: Four-Stage Finishers
| Route | Swims | Fastest |
|---|---|---|
| Saguaro Lake: Mormon Flat Dam to Stewart Mountain Dam | 372 | Michael Rice - 02:47:40 (2023) |
| Canyon Lake: Horse Mesa Dam to Mormon Flat Dam | 319 | Grace van der Byl - 02:41:05 (2013) |
| Apache Lake: Roosevelt Dam to Horse Mesa Dam | 224 | Michael Rice - 04:52:46 (2023) |
| Roosevelt Lake: Small dock to Roosevelt Dam | 272 | John Humenik - 02:23:05 (2016) |
View data by year:
Reviews
Reviewer: Kristiana Fox (August 2023)
Swam in 2023 (Finished). Entry fee: 700
OVERALL: ★️★️★️★️★️
Organization: ★️★️★️★️★️
Route/Course: ★️★️★️★️★️
Social Activities: ★️★️★️★️★️
Cost/Value: ★️★️★️★️★️
Comments: "I did partial SCAR (Roosevelt 2022 & Saguaro/ Roosevelt 2023)- am a local and just getting into open water swimming. It's been an incredible experience meeting swimmers from all over the U.S. and the world. The energy and in the company of world class swimmers is incredible and very inspiring. There is a dinner the night before at the event director's house and you get some amazing high quality swag and makes the environment fun and laid back, while also challenging people to push their limits. Great for training for a channel swim, and cold water which is perfect preparation for the English Channel. Highly recommend! Can't beat the experience of swimming in 4 lakes in the middle of the beautiful Arizona desert!"
Reviewer: Jessica Kieras (August 2023)
Swam in 2019 (Finished). Entry fee: 1400 USD
OVERALL: ★️★️★️★️★️
Organization: ★️★️★️★️★️
Route/Course: ★️★️★️★️★️
Social Activities: ★️★️★️★️★️
Cost/Value: ★️★️★️★️★️
Comments: "Fantastic, great swimming, great way to hang out with other swimmers and supporters!"
Reviewer: anonymous+verified (August 2023)
Swam in 2023 (Finished). Entry fee: $1800
OVERALL: ★️★️★️★️★️
Organization: ★️★️★️★️★️
Route/Course: ★️★️★️★️★️
Social Activities: ★️★️★️★️✩️
Cost/Value: ★️★️★️✩️✩️
Comments: "I did half of the 4 lakes and swam to the Marina for Apache Lake. I considered that a good series of days. Got out in Canyon due to mild hypothermia. For slower swimmers, most of the food was gone at the end. The end at Roosevelt is kinda an empty feeling since everyone takes off but not sure how to solve that? Overall, I enjoyed it though."
Reviewer: Sarah Thomas (August 2023)
Swam in 2021 (DNS - paid fees but swim was canceled). Entry fee: I don't recall
OVERALL: ★️★️★️★️★️
Organization: ★️★️★️★️★️
Route/Course: ★️★️★️★️★️
Social Activities: ★️★️★️★️★️
Cost/Value: ★️★️★️★️★️
Comments: "I have swum SCAR twice and supported swimmers twice. You can't beat this event for a challenge and meeting new swimmers! It's well organized- but as a swimmer, be prepared to pivot and be flexible if something comes up last minute. It's a relaxed and fun event, but if you're type A swimmer or don't deal well with unplanned changes, this is not for you. However, if you enjoy meeting swimmers from all over and swimming through some of the most beautiful canyons in the US, you can't go wrong."