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
    Great Thread :) Just incase a few may think of some Canadian Open WaterSwims: July 18th, 10km Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. August 7th Skaha Lake 11.8 Ultra Swim in Penticton BC, Canada. August 13th, 26km Lake Cowichan Marathon Swim. Lake Cowichan is crystal clear, and warm where you will swim past some prime and pristine, untouched forested shoreline. In the 26km you will begin at the head of the lake, and swim down the lake. The total distance of the lake is 34km, however 26km appeals to more. Great food, and an embroidered vest is one of the souveniers you will recieve with your entry fee. Skaha Lake is also a warm lake. In this swim you swim from Penticton to Okanagan falls at the other end of the lake. Fantastic food and the Ultra party is excellent. Wetsuits are not needed in either event, but they are permitted. There are specific catagories for wetsuits and non wetsuits.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Great Thread :) Just incase a few may think of some Canadian Open WaterSwims: July 18th, 10km Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. August 7th Skaha Lake 11.8 Ultra Swim in Penticton BC, Canada. August 13th, 26km Lake Cowichan Marathon Swim. Lake Cowichan is crystal clear, and warm where you will swim past some prime and pristine, untouched forested shoreline. In the 26km you will begin at the head of the lake, and swim down the lake. The total distance of the lake is 34km, however 26km appeals to more. Great food, and an embroidered vest is one of the souveniers you will recieve with your entry fee. Skaha Lake is also a warm lake. In this swim you swim from Penticton to Okanagan falls at the other end of the lake. Fantastic food and the Ultra party is excellent. Wetsuits are not needed in either event, but they are permitted. There are specific catagories for wetsuits and non wetsuits.
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