Help us promote Swim Safety by Completing an Historic Open Water Swim!

This August, we're taking on the incredible challenge of the two-way Signature Swim Relay—a 50+ hour open water swim, across the entire length of Lake Geneva — and back!

Our team from Open Water Swim Coaching (OWSC) is preparing for the first-ever two-way Signature Swim Relay: 140 km of continuous swimming, counter currents on the outward journey, and two full nights in the water. 

We’re not just making history; we're swimming for a cause!

About the Signature Swim 

The Signature is an epic swim across the full length of Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s largest lake, from the historic Chillon Castle to the iconic Bains des Pâquis in Geneva. Covering approximately 70 km, it is twice the distance of the English Channel and takes place entirely in fresh water flowing from the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds the lake.

Organized by the Lake Geneva Swimming Association (LGSA), it follows the strict principles of open water marathon swimming, with permissions from the authorities in Switzerland and France.

Typically completed solo or in relay teams of six, the Signature Swim is a true test of endurance and spirit. In 2024, our OWSC team successfully completed the one-way Signature Relay in 23 hours and 40 minutes — earning a spot among LGSA’s Relay Legends with the second-fastest time of the year.

In August 2025, we are aiming higher. An OWSC Team – including five members from the successful 2024 relay – is preparing to attempt the first-ever two-way Signature Swim Relay: swimming the entire length of Lake Geneva twice without stopping. No relay team has ever attempted this challenge before. If successful, we will seek a Guiness World Record validation.

Who we are

Our six-member team – Alex Seeger, Dora Sari, Katie Glass, Kate Norton, François Bonnici, and Jonny Singh - was brought together by our love for swimming and our appreciation for Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). We met through Open Water Swim Coaching sessions organized for over a decade by one of our own, Alex, at Plage du Reposoir in Geneva, Switzerland.

We come from diverse swimming backgrounds—ranging from recreational and distance swimming to ice water, synchronized, and triathlon swimming. What unites us is a recognition of the privilege that access to swimming provides, and a deep respect for what the bodies of open waters require of us.

It was with this mindset that Alex founded the Open Water Swim Coaching group in 2012: to help others develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to swim safely, and to fully enjoy what all those open waters—and Lake Geneva in particular—have to offer.

Our Mission: “Swimmers for Swim Safety” 

We are dedicating our swim to raising awareness about water safety. 

We have identified the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) as an organization that shares our mission of using swimming as a preventative measure against drowning. The NSRI is a non-profit organization committed to saving lives on South African waters through rescue services, education, and drowning prevention programs. Their Water Safety Education Initiative has reached millions of children with vital lifesaving skills—and we want to help them reach millions more.

As part of our mission, we aim to raise a minimum of CHF 5,000, which will be donated directly to the NSRI to support their life-saving work in teaching swimming and water safety as a preventive measure against drowning. This contribution could empower the NSRI to educate over 8,300 children in water safety or provide 1,300 survival swimming lessons—enough for 164 children to complete the full course of eight lessons required to become fully competent in survival swimming.

Why It Matters 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning is a leading cause of accidental death worldwide. Through our swim and our outreach, we hope to make a real impact — raising awareness, empowering swimmers, and saving lives. By backing our swim, you're helping spread water safety education and saving lives.

Our Goal 

We’re raising 100% of funds solely to promote our cause—not to support the swim itself. All costs for the swim have already been covered.

If we reach our middle goal, a minimum of CHF 5,000 will be donated directly to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a leading organization in drowning prevention and water safety education. Your support will help the NSRI expand its lifesaving programs and reach more communities in need.

If we exceed our middle goal, the additional funds will stay with our Open Water Swim Coaching (OWSC) group and be reinvested to support our mission. The funds will be split between our ongoing activities – such as organizing an annual inclusive swim session around July 25th for World Drowning Prevention Day – and contributions to local non-profit associations that promote water safety and drowning prevention around Lake Geneva. 

By backing our swim, you're not only helping us make history—you’re helping build a safer future in and around the water.

Join Us 

By supporting our project, you’ll be part of an inspiring world-first achievement— but more importantly, we’re swimming to raise awareness for water safety.

Together, we can make waves and save lives!