Overview
Swim the Suck is a 10-mile open water swim through the breathtaking Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Drawing swimmers from across the United States — and internationally — this one-of-a-kind endurance event winds through the dramatic canyon walls of the protected gorge, tracing the river’s iconic “S” curve, with rocky cliffs rising on either side and the current providing a little push, if we are lucky.
We host Swim the Suck because we love open water and its people. Hosted by the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S.) and sanctioned by United States Masters Swimming (USMS). We are grassroots at heart — built by volunteers, kayakers, friends, family, local artists, and local businesses. It’s an athletic challenge set in the beauty of the Tennessee River Gorge, and it creates the kind of friendships that only form when you’ve done something hard together.
The swim starts at the Suck Creek Boat Launch at River Mile 453.3 on the right side of the river (North shore) and finishes at private property Wohali Nvya at River Mile 443.55 on the left side of the river (South shore).
Race Weekend
Friday night we gather at Miller Plaza in downtown Chattanooga for a pasta dinner, race briefing, and packet pickup. It’s relaxed, fun, and usually full of nervous laughter and big hugs. You’ll meet your pilot (if assigned), reconnect with old friends, make some new ones, and feel the energy building.
On Saturday morning (race day) pilots (with their own watercraft) drop their boats off at the swim start the morning of the race and then drive to the finish line to park. Swimmers and pilots park at the finish line in the morning and ride busses which transport swimmers and pilots to the start. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. and most swimmers arrive at the finish within 4-5 hours. Post race meal, drinks, and awards take place at swim finish where everyone parked their car.
Afterward? For every swimmer and pilot - Tacos. Local brews. Stories. Original Art Awards. River legs. Celebration with your community.
River Current
Swim the Suck is a downstream swim on a dam-controlled river. The release is controlled by TVA Chickamauga dam. While we cannot predict what the current will be for a particular day in the future, we will be given an estimated release 2 days in advance. On the day of the swim, there could be zero cfs being released over the Chickmauga Dam, or, there could be a lot or water if there has been ample rainfall in previous days. Previous current:
2010: 33,000 cfs. First place swimmer finishing in 3 hours and last place finisher in 5 hours.
2011: 18,000 cfs. Frist place swimmer finishing in 3.5 hours and last place finisher in 5.5 hours.
2012: 13,000 cfs for the first 30 minutes and 6,000 per hour after that. First place swimmer finishing in 3 hours and 22 minutes and the last place finisher in 6 hours 45 mins.
2013: 13,000 cfs, water temp 76.
2014: Average outflow of 28,000 for the day.
2015: 28,000 steady
2016: 0-7,000 with a strong headwind.
2017: 18,000 cfs during entire race
2018: 18,000 cfs during entire race, water temp 78, air temp 50/60s
2019:
2020 Cancelled due to Covid
2021:
2022: 18,000 cfs steady during entire race, water temp 72-73, air temp 54 at 9am, 69 at 30m
2023:
2024: cancelled due to natural disaster (flooding)
2025: 19,500 cfs
Check TVA's website to view release data from previous 48 hours and predicted for the next 48 hours:
Water Temperature
We have created our own live online link to the water temperature here:
2010: 70 F
2011: 74 F
2012: 75 F
2013: 76 F
2014: 76 F
2015: 74-75 F
2016: 78 F
2018: 78 F
2019:
2020: cancelled covid
2021: 76 F
2022: 72-73 F
2024: cancelled flooding
2025: 78.5 F
About Pilots
For safety and support, every swimmer is required to have a pilot escort (kayaker, paddle boarder, canoe) throughout the entire swim. Swimmers may bring their own pilot or request a volunteer pilot during registration for an additional fee. A limited number of kayaks are available to rent and are first come first serve during the registration process. Please note that the volunteer kayakers have their own watercraft and you do not need to rent one for them. Pilots guide and feed their swimmer and stay in communication with safety power boats throughout the swim.
If you request a volunteer pilot, you’ll receive an introductory email in September connecting you with your pilot. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet in person on Friday evening.
We always need volunteer pilots to make this event happen! Do you have a friend or family member attending who would like to volunteer as a pilot for another swimmer? We would love to have them so please ask them to register as a pilot! This has happened in past years and is a wonderful way to experience the event from the water. Just keep in mind that they may not see you during the race. If you have a special situation — such as two family members wanting to pilot for you — please contact the Race Director.
Time Requirements & Safety Guidelines
Swimmers must be able to complete the course in under 6 hours. In still water (with no current), this means you should be capable of swimming approximately 1 open water mile in under 36 minutes (2 miles in 1 hour 12 minutes).
If you are not approaching the final mile within the 6-hour cutoff, safety officials may remove you from the course and transport you to the finish by power boat. If you are close to finishing, you may be permitted to complete the swim at the discretion of race officials.
To prepare for Swim the Suck, it is strongly recommended that you:
Complete at least one 4-hour open water training swim (approximately 8 miles).
Train in water temperatures between 70–77°F to acclimate to expected race conditions. Please note that swimmers can become hypothermic even in 70°F water. If you show signs of advanced hypothermia during the event, you will be pulled for your safety.
It is suggested that you practice feeding every 30 minutes during long training swims.
This is a serious 10-mile open water swim in a natural river environment. If you have any questions about your readiness for the event, please contact the Race Director at swimthesuck@gmail.com to discuss your experience and credentials.STANDARD EQUIPMENT (ALLOWED)
Rules & Equipment
Swim the Suck follows the Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF) Rules of Marathon Swimming.
Standard Equipment (Allowed):
Please review the official MSF standards here:
https://marathonswimmers.org/rules/4_standard-equipment/
Non-Standard Equipment (Not Allowed):
https://marathonswimmers.org/rules/5_nonstandard-equipment/
Exception:
GPS watches are permitted at Swim the Suck.
If you wish to request approval for non-standard equipment, you must email the Race Director in advance. Requests will be reviewed in consultation with USMS officials. Please note that swimmers using approved non-standard equipment may not be eligible for awards.Results
Timing is done by Scenic City Multisport. Results will be posted at RunSignUp.
Awards
Awards Ceremony expected to take place at 4pm-ish.
1st Place Male/Female/GN - Free Entry to Swim the Suck
2nd PlaceMale/Female/GN
3rd Place Male/Female/GN
4th Place Male/Female/GN
5th Place Male/Female/GN
Longest in Water
Swimmer and Pilot Finisher Awards
All swimmers receive a Finisher Award, a handmade piece of art from a local Chattanooga Artist. (artists include Jonathan Clardy of 423 Pottery and Susan Cordell of Front Porch Pottery susan.cordell@gmail.com).
Videos/Photos
Some years we have created a recap video of the event to capture the spirit of the day — the river, the effort, the community, and the celebration. All event videos can be found on the Home page of the website.
If you capture footage during the swim (GoPro, kayak cam, or cell phone) and would like to share it, please email it to swimthesuck@gmail.com. We love incorporating community footage into recaps and social media posts.
We typically have a photographer at the finish line; however, this is not traditional race photography that guarantees an individual finish photo for every swimmer.
Photos are generally shared on the Swim the Suck Facebook page and posted on the website following the event.
