About the LGSA

Lake Geneva swimming, recognised worldwide.

The Lake Geneva Swimming Association facilitates and adjudicates crossings of Lake Geneva in the spirit and traditions of open-water marathon swimming.

The Lake Geneva swimming community
What is the LGSA?

Guidance, observation and authentication.

The LGSA has permission to facilitate Lake Geneva traverses with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and France. Its Signature swimming activities are conducted on a not-for-profit basis.

Members include swimmers, support teams and volunteer observers. The association trains observers, supports open-water preparation and adjudicates whether an attempt was completed under LGSA rules.

Our aims

Protect the spirit of the sport.

Promote long-distance open-water swimming around Lake Geneva.
Assist, observe and authenticate recognised attempts.
Help swimmers and organisers comply with local authorities.
Champion Lake Geneva as a world-class open-water destination.
The people behind the LGSA

LGSA Committee

President

Jaimie Monahan

Marathon and ice swimmer bringing extensive international open-water experience to the association.

Chairman

Tim Davies

LGSA co-founder, open-water swimmer and mountain guide supporting operations and lake logistics.

Secretary

Jordan Gimbert

Supporting the association, its swimmers and official administration.

Committee member

Jacques Tuset

Marathon swimmer, author, coach and advocate for ocean protection.

Honorary President

Alain Charmey

Olympian and the first recorded swimmer to complete the length of Lake Geneva in 1986.

Swim rules

Standards for recognised crossings.

LGSA rules preserve the established spirit of unassisted marathon swimming and set clear expectations for swimmers, observers and escort crews.

Read event terms & conditions →

Core principles

  • The swimmer remains in the water continuously from start to finish.
  • No intentional supportive contact with a vessel, object or support person.
  • Only declared standard equipment may be used for an unassisted swim.
  • Observers document the attempt; the escort skipper retains authority over safety.
  • All participants must respect local maritime requirements and the lake environment.
  • Relay, multi-leg and stroke-regulated attempts have additional declared rules.

The event-specific terms presented during booking also apply. Contact the LGSA before an attempt if any rule or equipment classification is unclear.