Oliver Turner initiated this open water swim event while a graduate student at Colorado State University. He came up with the idea of a long-distance swim that would challenge the swimmers and also be a fundraiser for the Wingshadow Foundation. In 2003 the 2.4 mile swims were added. With the first age group (1000 yard, 250 yard) swims being added in 2006 at Carter Lake. In 2007, all swims were brought back to Horsetooth and the swim name changed to the \\\\\\\"Horsetooth Swim\\\\\\\" and the beneficiary changed to Team Fort Collins, who was one of the beneficiaries in 2006 as well.