Major US Open Water Swims

I've been wondering about what are the major US Open Water Swims. By major, I mean the largest or the ones that are the single swim that people aim for in their area, oldest, most established, etc. I have a partial list which I think is probably partially correct, but I was wondering what I was missing and what mistakes I had made. And I do know that looking at US swims is provincial and that there are swims in other parts of the world that are larger and older than many of ours. In California, I would put the La Jolla Roughwater, the Hermosa to Manhattan Pier to Pier, the Santa Cruz Roughwater swims, the DAM Lake Berryessa Swims, the RCP Tiburon Mile and any of the Alcatraz swims as being swims that attract 400 or more competitors and are major swims by any definition. In Oregon, I think the Elk Lake swims put on by COMA are the largest, most successful swims. In Washington, I think it is the Fat Salmon. In Florida, I think that there is a Tampa Bay 5 K swim in the spring that is the largest. In the midwest, I think the Big Shoulders swim is the premeire event, and in the colonial zone, I think the Chesapeake Bridge Swim is the largest and most prominent. In Hawaii, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim is the main event, I think, in terms of size, age, prestige, etc. But I was wondering what other people thought. My ulterior motive is partially curiousity and partially a desire to know what the different major swims are so that maybe I can try to swim some of them. Thanks and I will be curious to see what responses I get, if any.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I swam the Alcatraz Sharkfest for the first but not last time this past weekend and had the most fun ever for an open water event. The ferry boat ride out to Alcatraz island is a great way to get started. Jumping off the ferry into the ocean is quite an experience. Once you are in the water you can see the Golden Gate bridge from a unique vantage point: from the waterline while breathing on the right side. We stayed at the hotel that was 5 min walk from the start/finish area which was great. The event is held walking distance to Fishermans Warf and all the fun stuff in that area. Obviously SF is a great vacation spot, and to be able to one of my favorite activities, (open water swims), its a perfect event. I deffinate must go on my list. Great thread by the way. I started a list for next year through posted sugestions. Thanks
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I swam the Alcatraz Sharkfest for the first but not last time this past weekend and had the most fun ever for an open water event. The ferry boat ride out to Alcatraz island is a great way to get started. Jumping off the ferry into the ocean is quite an experience. Once you are in the water you can see the Golden Gate bridge from a unique vantage point: from the waterline while breathing on the right side. We stayed at the hotel that was 5 min walk from the start/finish area which was great. The event is held walking distance to Fishermans Warf and all the fun stuff in that area. Obviously SF is a great vacation spot, and to be able to one of my favorite activities, (open water swims), its a perfect event. I deffinate must go on my list. Great thread by the way. I started a list for next year through posted sugestions. Thanks
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