Bridges to Bluffs 10k Open Water Swim

How many people can say they’ve jumped off the Star of Knoxville Riverboat and into the Tennessee River? Who can say they’ve gotten to swim under five historic bridges, past Neyland Stadium, the Knoxville skyline, then finish by swimming through beautiful river bluffs lined with historic homes? Now’s your chance.

Bridges to Bluffs is a 10k downstream open water swim in the Tennessee River. B2B is apart of the Tennessee Triple Crown Open Water Series, along with Chattanooga based “Swim the Suck,” and Huntsville’s “Swim Hobbs Island".

This year’s swim will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The Saturday night dinner and sightseeing dinner cruise will include race briefing and packet pick-up on Saturday, September 12 departing from downtown Knoxville. It’s a great chance to meet your fellow swimmers and pilots, and get all the required safety updates ahead of race day.

Participants can complete the 10 km swim solo or register as a relay team of 2 swimmers.

All swimmers over 18 must be current USMS members or purchase a one day event membership (OEVT).

Swimmers ages 13-18 may register in the solo 10k swim and must be current USA Swimming members (your registration will be discounted $20 to VOID the USMS OEVT fee - it is automatically applied).

All solo swimmers MUST be accompanied by a PILOT on a kayak (or similar). Swimmers are encouraged to find their own pilot for the event. There is an option to pay the race team to recruit a pilot for you. All PILOTS must also register. There is no fee; swimmer's fees cover their pilot costs.

All race information can be found at: https://knoxvilleopen-waterswimmers.squarespace.com/bridgestobluffs

Included in every registration:

• One race entry (for a solo swimmer OR a relay team of two swimmers)
• Two high quality logo'd t-shirts (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Two seats for the Saturday dinner cruise (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Two lunches post-race on Sunday (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Finisher award for all participants
• Race morning bus transportation from the finish line to the starting areas for swimmers and pilots
• Free downloads of professional photographs taken over the weekend

This is a USMS-sanctioned event, requiring that all swimmers (solo and relay) possess either a current USMS membership, or they must purchase a one event registration (OEVT) for $20. This $20 fee is automatically built into ALL registration prices.

During registration, swimmers will be asked to enter your USMS number. When you provide a valid number, the registration fee will be discounted by $20 (shown on the final screen, before you check out). HAVE YOUR NUMBER AVAILABLE when you register. We cannot refund this charge!

For two-person relays, each participant provides their own USMS number as they register. The first person to register creates the relay team and enters their USMS number. The first person pays for the full team fee. The second person will then register for the team their partner created and enter their USMS number. Each relay member will either be discounted $20 for providing their annual membership number, or pay $20 each for their individual OEVT.

Pilots don't need to worry about this! Your fee is $0

Again for USA Swimming swimmers under 18, you won't need to worry about this!

We offer two preview swims ahead of race day. This is a unique opportunity for both swimmers AND pilots to check out the course and get in a little training, all in the company of experienced swimmers and pilots. The previews are FREE, but registration is required. Swimmers should bring their own pilot (does not have to be your race day pilot).

The previews will be offered on a weekend:

• TBA July (3-miles)
• TBA August (3.3 or 4.4 miles)

For information and registration for the previews:

https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/BridgestoBluffsSwimPreview1

NOTE: The preview is open to any swimmers and pilots; you don't have to be already registered for B2B, but we hope you are!