Events
Preview Swim #1
Preview Swim #2
Place
Knoxville, TN US 37920
Description
Preview swims for Bridges to Bluffs 10k (race date = 28 Sep 2025). This is an opportunity for both swimmers and pilots to check out the B2B course - you do not need to be registered for B2B to participate in this preview.
Swimmers should recruit a pilot for this preview swim. Up to three (3) swimmers may share a single pilot, provided all three swimmers agree to swim the same pace and stay within 30-feet of that pilot. All will be asked for their swimmer/pilot names during registration.
The previews are FREE, hosted by the Knoxville Open Water Swimmers (KOWS), a USMS Gold Club and LB Endurance. Registration for this preview is REQUIRED for EVERY participant (enables planning & communication). Swimmers must have an active USMS annual membership OR an active 30-day trial membership. One-day event memberships are not available for this event. Pilots do not need a USMS membership of any kind, but we ask that they register and sign waivers like the swimmers.
In case of severe weather, un-swimmable conditions or other reason to cancel, we will attempt to reschedule the previews, but it is not guaranteed.
PREVIEW SWIM #1 (19 July 2025)
For the first preview we swim 3 miles, starting at Island Home Park (1.2 miles upriver from the B2B start at Suttree Landing Park) and exiting at Neyland Drive Boat Ramp that is 1.8 miles into the B2B course. 3 miles total.
SCHEDULE SWIM #1 (Subject to change)
** Pilots or swimmers may choose to enter or exit the water at another location - just kindly share your plans so we can keep an accurate count of all those that enter/exit the water with our group! **
7:00 Pilots unload (or inflate SUPs) at Island Home Park; then drive 10-minutes to Neyland Boat Ramp - we will watch boats at the start
7:20 Swimmers pick up pilots at Neyland Boat Ramp & drive to Island Home
7:30 Last car loaded up for shuttle to Island Home (10-minute drive)
7:50 Be ready to swim and paddle
8:00 Safety/Navigational Briefing for Pilots and Swimmers
8:10 Enter water
8:15 Start swimming once most of group is ready (let’s start together!)
Depending on the River assistance, plan on 1:15-1:45 to be on/in the water.
AFTER the Swim, pilots please help shuttle swimmers back to Island Home Park to collect their cars.
ADDRESSES SWIM #1
LIMITED PARKING at BOTH LOCATIONS. Carpool as much as possible!!
Island Home Park = 2225 Estelle Cir, Knoxville, TN 37920
Neyland Boat Ramp (aka KUB) = 2100 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916
PREVIEW SWIM #2 (23 August 2025)
For this second preview, we swim 3.3 or 4.4 miles, all of which are part of the B2B race course. We enter the River at Neyland Drive Boat Ramp, and exit at the Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp (3.3 miles) or Sequoyah Hills Park (4.4 miles). Sequoyah Hills Park/Bathrooms is the location of the B2B race exit and finish line celebration.
SCHEDULE SWIM #2 (subject to change)
** Pilots or swimmers may choose to enter or exit the water at another location - just kindly share your plans so we can keep an accurate count of all those that enter/exit the water with our group! **
7:00 Pilots unload (or inflate SUPs) at Neyland Boat Ramp; then drive 10-minutes to Sequoyah Hills Bathrooms or Boat Ramp - we will watch boats at the start
7:20 Swimmers pick up pilots at Sequoyah Hills Bathrooms AND Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp, then drive to Neyland Boat Ramp
7:30 Last car loaded up for shuttle to Neyland Boat Ramp (10-minute drive)
7:50 Be ready to swim and paddle
8:00 Safety/Navigational Briefing for Pilots and Swimmers
8:10 Enter water
8:15 Start swimming once most of group is ready (let’s start together!)
There are two exit options. The swim is 4.4 miles to the B2B exit at SH Bathrooms/Park, or 3.3 miles to the SH Boat Ramp. This is ALL part of the B2B event course.
Depending on the River assistance, plan on 1:30-2:30 to be on/in the water.
AFTER the Swim, pilots please help shuttle swimmers back to Neyland Boat Ramp to collect their cars.
ADDRESSES SWIM #2
START = Neyland Drive Boat Ramp aka KUB, 1995 Neyland Drive, 37916 (LIMITED PARKING)
EXIT, 3.3 miles = Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp, 1600 Cherokee Blvd, 37919
EXIT, 4.4 miles = Sequoyah Hills Park West (Bathrooms), 2280 Cherokee Blvd, 37919
Swimmer Requirements
Swimmers...
- do not have to be registered for the Bridges to Bluffs 10k Swim on 28 September (but you should be!)
- must have an active USMS annual membership or an active 30-day trial membership
- must be confident and capable of swimming in current, in water temperatures 65-78 degF
- must supply and wear a brightly colored swim cap for the entire swim
- must recruit and bring a pilot
- must be able to monitor for pilot signals and react accordingly, including changes of course, stopping/starting or exiting the water, if needed
- should wear an inflatable tow buoy, but one is not required
- should supply their own nutrition and hydration
- should assist with shuttling each other and pilots between start and exit points, as needed (using personal automobiles)
- should be fun, adventurous and cool nice humans
Pilot Requirements
Pilots guide swimmers along a safe route in a busy river that may have other watercraft, debris or other hazards present. Pilots will also carry a few items for swimmers (shoes, small dry bags, phones, keys) as well as carry/supply swimmer nutrition. Pilots also...
- do not have to be registered for the Bridges to Bluffs 10k Swim on 28 September (but you should be!)
- must supply their own kayak, SUP or canoe (no motors) and paddle - or make their own arrangements to have one
- must have a PFD on their watercraft or person while on the water
- must be confident and capable of paddling in current, in air temperatures 60-100 degF, in the sun, rain, wind, etc.
- must be able to signal verbally or physically to other pilots or swimmers
- should have a mobile phone available on the water
- should supply their own nutrition and hydration
- should assist with shuttling each other and swimmers between start and exit points, as needed (using personal automobiles)
- should be fun, adventurous and cool nice humans
Bridges To Bluffs Swim
The race date is 28 September 2025. The race follows a 10-km course down the Tennessee River, starting near Suttree Landing Park dock and ending at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville TN. The event is open to solo swimmers and 2-person relay teams. The race is currently sanctioned by US Masters Swimming and USA Swimming (pending) for participants 13+.
For more information: https://knoxvilleopen-waterswimmers.squarespace.com/bridgestobluffs
To register (swimmers and pilots): https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/BridgestoBluffs10km2024
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
