This summer the Halifax Harbour will host its first open-water swimming competition in more than 50 years, according to Swim Nova Scotia.

Swim Nova Scotia, the umbrella organization for all swim clubs in the province​, will host the event July 27.

Swimmers will start at the Cable Wharf, go around George's Island, and return.

There will be a 2.8-kilometre loop and a five-kilometre route. There will also be a one-kilometre swim that will involve swimming straight out to the island and back.

Swim Nova Scotia says there hasn't been an open-water competition in the harbour more than 50 years. Swimmers used to race from Chinatown in the Bedford Basin to Black Rock Beach.

Halifax Harbour was off-limits to swimmers for decades, until a new sewage-treatment plant cleaned the water.