The 9th Annual Swim Hobbs Island open water swim through the Tennessee River hosted by the Team Rocket Triathlon Club (TRTC) will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024.  The 5-mile swim will begin at 8:30 am, and the 1- and 2-mile swim will begin a few minutes later in waves (See Schedule of Events below). Swim Hobbs Island is entirely a fundraiser for Thanks for supporting!

Swim Hobbs Island is Part of the “Triple Crown of the Tennessee” series of swims, representing the three largest open water events to take place on the Tennessee River. Any swimmer who completes all three races will achieve a Triple Crown award, depending on how quickly they achieve this feat. Complete all three events in a single year – gold. Two years – silver. Three years – bronze

Race Day: Sunday, September 8, 2024

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM:  Cap pickup and check-in at the public boat dock, 1000 Hobbs Island Rd SE, between Forrest Paddle Boarding and Pit Stop Boat Ramp Parking.

7:30 AM: Mandatory Swimmer & Kayaker Safety Meetings (kayaker meeting is at Old Madison County Marina, swimmer meeting is at race start)

7:45 AM:  Kayakers for 5 Mile Swim begin entering the water at Old Madison County Marina.

8:00 AM: National Anthem at race start

8:15 AM:  5 Mile Swim lineup and final check-in

8:20 AM:  5 Mile swimmers enter the water.

8:30 AM:  5 Mile race begins

8:45 AM:  2 mile race begins

9:00 AM:  1 mile race begins

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM:  Swimmers, kayakers, spectators, volunteers can enjoy complimentary food/drink

10:30 AM or as soon as results are finalized: 1 & 2 Mile Swim Awards

11 AM or as soon as results are finalized:  5 Mile Swim Awards

NOTE:  5 Mile Swimmers MUST Complete the Swim in Under 5 hours (1:30pm) and MUST be at the tip of the island (the turnaround point) at 3.5 hours, or 12:00pm. Race Director reserves the right to pull you after that time.

Our race CANNOT happen without Volunteers.  If you are not racing or kayaking, please consider signing up to volunteer: VOLUNTEER LINK

Course Description

5 Mile Swim: Around Hobbs Island

This is a five mile circumnavigation of Hobbs Island that will start at the public boat ramp, 1000 Hobbs Island Rd SE, between Forrest Paddle Boarding (swimmer/spectator parking) and Pit Stop Boat Ramp Public Parking (volunteer parking). Swimmers will enter the water via a boat ramp on the shoreline and will swim clockwise around Hobbs Island and finish at the same location as the start. Because the first few miles and the last few hundred meters are against the river current, this swim may take longer than a typical 5 mile swim in the pool.

2 Mile Swim Event

This is a two mile out and back that will start at the same public boat ramp as the 5 mile swim start.  Start will be just after the 5 mile swim start. Swimmers will enter the water via a boat ramp on the shoreline. Swimmers will swim upstream approximately 1 mile and then turn around. The finish location will be the same as the start. Because the first mile is against the river current, this swim will take longer than a typical two mile swim in the pool. Please be aware that this is NOT an event for beginner swimmers. You should be able to swim 2.5 miles continuously in a pool before tackling this 2 mile event.

1 Mile Swim Event

This is a one mile out and back that will start at the same public boat ramp as the 5 and 2 mile swim start.  Start will be just after the 2 mile swim start. Swimmers will enter the water via ramps on the shoreline. Swimmers will proceed upstream 0.5 mile and then turn around at the turnaround buoy. The finish location will be the same as the start. Because the first half mile is against the river current, this swim will take longer than a typical one mile swim in the pool.

Current and Time Cutoffs

Current in the Tennessee River normally varies greatly because this stretch of the river is controlled by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) via flow rates from the Guntersville Dam. However, every year we submit a flow reduction request to TVA for the race. NEVERTHELESS, they do not have to honor this, and they may not, and we have minimal input into this decision. We are grateful that they are often able to do this for our safety and comfort. For your information, typical TVA-adjusted flow rates for this race in the past have been ~19,000 cubic feet per second, which translates to a very reasonable current for most open water swimmers. That said, be prepared to swim longer than a typical 1, 2 or 5 mile swim in the pool. The 5 mile time cutoff is the tip of the island at 3.5 hrs or 12 noon and finish by 5 hours or 1:30 pm. No time cutoffs for 1 or 2 milers.

Temperature

Water temperatures are typically between 75 to 83.  IMPORTANT: If water temperatures exceed 78, wetsuits and neoprene caps will be disallowed for safety reasons. We would also encourage you to stay well hydrated before and after, select an appropriate pace for your temperature and comfort. If water temperature exceeds 87 degrees (extremely unlikely given historical conditions), we will cancel the swim due to safety.

Spectators

There is a small spot near the swim start/exit for spectator, however, it is very rocky and uneven terrain, so please use caution.  There is also viewing at Old Madison County Marina, which is more stable, but not accessible from the swim start/exit by foot.  

RULES

• FOR EVERYONE: NO WETSUITS ALLOWED.
• FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS: NO SUITS WITH A ZIPPER OR FASTENER. NO DEVICES OR SUBSTANCES that aid speed, pace, navigation, buoyancy, or endurance (such as pull buoys, webbed gloves, fins, snorkels, audio players, etc.). No tape on the body unless approved by the referee. You CAN use personal safety buoys such as New Wave Swim Buoys but not instant self-inflating equipment such as the “Swim-It”. Medical identification items may be worn.
• FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS, you MAY wear a suit with a zipper or fastener; however, for safety reasons, the other items discussed above are still not allowed (no pull buoys, webbed gloves/fins/snorkels/ audio players, etc).
• FOR EVERYONE: You may touch or hang onto a kayak for safety with no penalty against awards, but making forward progress with a kayak will be grounds for disqualification from awards. No touching other people other than incidental contact unless for safety reasons. Have your kayaker carry hydration and nutrition, and also carry extra nutrition with your kayaker in case this swim takes longer than you planned. The 5 mile time cutoff is the tip of the island at 3.5 hrs or 12 noon and finish by 5 hrs or 1:30 pm.

KAYAKERS

• ALL FIVE MILE SWIMMERS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN KAYAKER TO ACCOMPANY THEM. If you do not have a kayaker, you will not be allowed to swim. This rule is for your safety as the river will be open to boat traffic. Boats will be unable to see you if you are swimming alone.
• YOUR KAYAKER WILL NEED TO REGISTER ON THE SAME REGISTRATION SITE WHICH IS THE SAME ONE THE SWIMMERS REGISTER ON (It will show a $0 balance at the end of registration). and specify who they are kayaking for (it will show a $0 balance at the end of registration). Your kayaker will receive a race t-shirt as they are a vital part of this race. All of this is included in the race fee that the swimmer pays. We have a very limited number of kayaks donated by various members of the local endurance community that can be allotted on a first-come first-serve basis, so, swimmer or kayaker, indicate in your registration if you need one.
• KAYAKERS MUST HAVE AND WEAR LIFEJACKETS AT ALL TIMES.
• 5 MILE KAYAKERS ESPECIALLY: Here is a blog post by a friend of ours who is a very experienced open water marathon swimmer, sharing her tips and experiences on how to support your swimmer best. We recommend you review this! It’s simply fantastic! Thanks Sydne Didier!

Awards for 5, 2, and 1 Mile Races

• Top 3 Male Swimmers
• Top 3 Male Masters (40+ years old)
• Top 3 Female Swimmers
• Top 3 Female Masters (40+ years old)

2023 non profit partner: TBD

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Team Rocket Tri Club
• Fleet Feet Huntsville
• Edward Jones