Open Water Events - Recent Threads

Grand Prix Open Water Challenge Series start April 12th!

Nicole Christensen — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 21:51:51 GMT

The Grand Prix Open Water Challenge begins on April 12^th and kicks off with the Lake Longhorn Open Water Round-Up in League City, TX close to the Houston Space Center. REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW.

It will be followed on May 3^rd by the Rockport Beach Open Water Challenge in beautiful Rockport, TX along the Texas gulf coast. The series continues July 12^th with the OWS Challenge in Joe Poole Lake in Cedar Hill, TX near Dallas and winds up on Oct 17^th and 18^th in Lake Marble Falls outside of Austin with the Marble Falls Banana Slug Splash which will have a 1K, 3K and 5K. More races may be added as we go into the season.

Each race offers a short, medium and long-distance option for swimmers to choose from. The six scoring categories are women’s short, medium and long distance and men’s short, medium and long distance. Points are awarded for 1^st through 10^th place in each scoring category with points accumulating throughout the series. The 1^st through 3^rd place swimmers with the most points at the final race of the series will when the series awards. All swimmers who participate is all races of the series will also win an award, even if they do not score any points.

For more information, contact Nicole at ncr@creativewaters.net.

SCAR Swim - Paddler needed

0K2HP — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:05:44 GMT

Hi,

I would like to swim SCAR next April( April 22-25). To do so, I need an experienced paddler to be my crew member over the 4 days. Is there anyone interested?

Thanks!

Open Water Events to Avoid

saraed77 — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:57:14 GMT

Is there a thread that discusses open water events to avoid or seriously research?

I swam in a non-USMS-sanctioned open water event this weekend, and I pulled out because the on-water safety was very insufficient.

I don't want to bash the race organizers, but maybe it would be helpful if there was a thread to alert swimmers to these events.

Open water event

Annkmarshfield — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:39:48 GMT

Can an Open Water Event Director also be the Safety Director?

Thanks

2024 Barbados Open Water Festival 11/6-11/11

05EXJ — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 01:01:22 GMT

Who’s coming and which events are you swimming??
I am registered for the three social swims with dinner, the 1500 Saturday and the 10K Sunday.

BEX

Purepactola

AW9S7 — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 23:17:33 GMT

Is Purepactola a sanctioned event? Held at Pactola lake July 18/24

Thanks Charlie

Cuba Open Water Event

Mel — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 01:37:11 GMT

On August 23-26, there will be an Open Water event in Varadero Beach, Cuba. If you ever wanted to go to Cuba, this is a great opportunity to see this beautiful country and enjoy the Cuba Culture.

community.usms.org/.../Convocatoria-open-water--English-_2800_1_2900_-_2800_2_2900_.pdf

Swimming License

JEDEZ — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:38:04 GMT

I an entering an international open water swim and they are requesting a copy of my "swimming license", what is that?

Thanks,

Deidre

Straits of Magellan

030CC — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 11:53:39 GMT

I completed the Straits of Magellan yesterday and wonder how I can have it credited to my profile. It might be interesting to other swimmers also especially older swimmers (I’m 64). See https://www.facebook.com/groups/452473925645010/permalink/1163361321222930/?mibextid=W9rl1R

Thanks for any help to add this to my profile

Open Water Safety Clinic (virtual)

Jay Eckert — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:41:07 GMT

Here is a virtual clinic on open water safety presented by chuckbeatty and the Long Distance Committee at their meeting last night. Nice resource for both beginner and experienced open water swimmers.

https://www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/videos/usms-open-water-safety-clinic

And here is another virtual clinic from last year.

https://www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-videos/videos/open-water-virtual-clinic

2021 Swim.com USMS Summer Fitness Challenge

Jay Eckert — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 15:04:15 GMT

We are entering the final week of the 2021 Swim.com USMS Summer Fitness Challenge, which runs through June 15. This fun challenge can be completed in the open water, pool, or even as a 45-minute dryland workout.

Register now to receive swag and support the sport of swimming by helping adults across the country learning to swim. Net proceeds benefit the USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim grant programs supported by the USA Swimming Foundation.

Summer Fitness Challenge participants can also record results on the Swim.com app to earn a digital badge and 15% off USMS items on SwimOutlet.com, track progress, and see how they stack up against fellow Masters swimmers. Connect your My USMS and Swim.com accounts to start tracking.

2021 Open Water Virtual Grand Slam

Patrick W. Brundage — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 15:19:53 GMT

Ranked one of the world's best open water events in 2020 (by WOWSA) and my personal favorite, the Open Water Virtual Grand Slam is back for 2021 - https://flowswimmers.com/2021-open-water-virtual-grand-slam!

I highly encourage everyone to try this out ... 4 months of racing, a great virtual community on Facebook, multiple distances with wetsuit and non-wetsuit options, as well as some fun extra ideas thrown in throughout the event (e.g., full moon swim, "GPS" swim art challenge, etc.)

May 1st to June 15th: Sprint (750M)
By June 30th: Olympic (1500M)
By July 31st: Half (1.2-miles, 2110 yards)
By August 31st, Full (2.4-miles, 4220 yards)

Open Water Virtual Grand Slam

SwimDogs — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 05:44:27 GMT

With most open water events either cancelled or postponed for the summer, checkout the 2020 Open Water Virtual Grand Slam! Only three days into registration, we have 30 swimmers signed up from around the world including Sweden, Germany, Australia, Canada and the USA (even Alaska). It's a bargain at $15. Without going into too much detail in this thread, the aim of this event is to gradually start swimming again and test yourself when youâ€™re able to get back into the water regularly; hence the STAGES: Sprint (800M), Olympic (1500M), Half (1.9K) and Full (3.8K). There is a wetsuit and a skins category. Registration is LIVE at Club Assistant. Just click on the link below to learn more and sign up: forums.usms.org/attachment.php ASSISTANT REGISTRATION

Grenada Open Water Swim 2020

info@randynutt.com — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 07:51:42 GMT

Registration is now open for the Caribbean's newest open water swim. Enjoy the beauty of Grenada - the Spice Isle. The 2nd Annual Pure Grenada Open Water Swim Saturday, September 12, 2020 Distances: 10K 5K 3K 1K (plus 1k, 3k & 5K with fins) For information and registration go to: www.aquamoonadventures.com/pure-grenada-open-water-swim

WEEK-LONG Open Water Festival (Mallorca, Spain) May 23-30

SwimDogs — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 12:08:35 GMT

12257 This will be my fourth year attending the BEST FEST Open Water Festival on the Spanish, Mediterranean island of Mallorca (May 23-30, 2020). The event organizer is extending a 50% discount on the entry fees, so PM for details. I can also recommend reasonable accommodations. With 8 races over 7 days (all within walking distance), this is the BEST event I've ever participated in. It includes four "serious" races (1.5k, 5K, 7/10K, and 1.9/3.8K "Tri" distances), and four "challenge" swims that are SUPER fun (4 x 500M open water relay, for example). In addition to the swimming, they host clinics during the week with Olympians and WORLD CLASS coaches. There's also access to a 10-lane, 50M pool during the week! If that's not enough, there are some really fun social activities including paella lunch, BBQ, awards ceremony, and more. FUN open water swimmers from all over the world! I hope you'll join me and my loose-knit group of about open water friends! Mark

Swim Around Lido Key 2020 - REGISTRATION IS OPEN

SharksMasters — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 08:20:32 GMT

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the 6th Annual Swim Around Lido Key taking place April 25, 2020 in Sarasota, FL. Swim the beautiful 7-mile course around the island of Lido Key as a solo, 2-person or 3-person relay team. Come for a great swim and stay for a vacation on some of the best beaches anywhere. Register today for your spot in this great open water race: www.swimwithoutlimits.com/.../ 12192

Fontana Lake–Best Dammed Lake–5K, 10K, 15K July 20 in NC

SharksMasters — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 09:23:21 GMT

Fontana Lake – Best Dammed Lake – 5K, 10K, 15K open water races are July 20 in Almond, North Carolina (Near Bryson City). Created by Fontana Dam, Fontana Lake is the deepest lake in NC reaching a maximum depth of 440 feet. At 17+ miles long, the lake offers numerous adventure opportunities. Registration is open for solo swimmers who want to challenge themselves on this beautiful 5K course that extends out and around an island that was previously a former mountain peak. Come for an amazing swim and stay for all of the other adventures that await you in this amazing area...whitewater kayaking, hiking, mtn. biking, kayaking, zip-lining with our sponsor Nantahala Outdoor Center (www.noc.com). For more information and to register, go to: www.swimwithoutlimits.com/.../ 1190311904119051190611907

Grenada Open Water Swim

info@randynutt.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:04:50 GMT

Mark your calendars - September 2019 - for the first Pure Grenada Open Water Swim The exact date, mid to late September will be selected soon. Details posted here

Fontana Lake 5K, 10K, 15K registration is OPEN!

SharksMasters — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 03:14:47 GMT

Fontana Lake 5K, 10K, 15K open water race REGISTRATION IS OPEN! July 20, 2019 in Almond, North Carolina (Near Bryson City). Solo swimmers can challenge themselves in any distance or you can do the 15K as a 3-person relay team (3 x 5K). The course is a 5K course going out around an island in the beautiful Fontana Lake! Come for an amazing swim and stay for all of the other adventures that await...whitewater kayaking, hiking, mtn. biking, kayaking, zip-lining with our sponsor Nantahala Outdoor Center (www.noc.com). For more information and to register, go to: www.swimwithoutlimits.com/.../ 11805118061180811807

NEW open water race: Fontana Lake 5K, 10K, 15K in N.Carolina

SharksMasters — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 01:37:22 GMT

Swim Without Limits announces its NEW open water swimming event! The Fontana Lake - Best Dammed Lake - 5K, 10K, & 15K, June 22, 2019 in Almond, North Carolina (Near Bryson City). Solo swimmers can challenge themselves in either distance or you can do the 15K as a relay with three swimmers each swimming a 5K. The course is a 5K course going out around an island in the beautiful Lake Fontana! Come for an amazing swim and stay for all of the other adventures that await...whitewater kayaking, hiking, mtn. biking, kayaking, zip-lining with our sponsor Nantahala Outdoor Center (www.noc.com). Registration will open January 21, 2019. Look for more information soon on www.swimwithoutlimits.com. Hope to see you there! 1172611727

Big Shoulders swim in Chicago

orca1946 — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 11:37:17 GMT

Many on our team - Elgin Blue Wave - are in this race. Hope for good weather and mild water temps for all!