Bridges to Bluffs (B2B) is a 10k downstream open water swim in the Tennessee River. Swimmers start the race by jumping off the Star of Knoxville paddleboat, and then navigate under five bridges to finish their swim surrounded by the bluffs of the beautiful Sequoyah Hills neighborhood.

Solo swimmers and 2-person relay teams may enter.

This event is USMS-sanctioned for participants 18 years of age or older on 12/31/2025. Each must have a current annual or one event USMS membership (OEVT). OEVTs may be purchased during registration.

This event is also USA Swimming-sanctioned for swimmers 13-17 years of age on 12/31/2025. Registration is limited to the solo 10k event. Pilots must be at least 18 years old on race day, and preferably a parent or legal guardian.

Registration is limited. A waitlist will be taken once the event sells out.

Fees

We are proud to offer the same registration fees again in 2025.

Solo Swimmer, $375

Relay Team, $450 (will be paid by first registrant)

Swimmer requests a kayak rental for their pilot, $60

Swimmer requests a pilot, $175

USMS OEVT fee, $20 (for swimmers without an annual USMS membership)

Pilots fees are covered by swimmers. (ALL pilots will need to register on the same platform for $0).

Refund Policy

Please understand that many race-related expenditures are made well before race weekend, limiting our ability to process a full refund. All requests for refunds must be made in writing to knox.ows@gmail.com. We do not need a reason for your refund request.

50% refund (excludes registration processing fees) if request received by 31 July 2025.

25% refund (excludes registration processing fees) if request received by 31 August 2025.

After 31 August 2025, no refunds. However, if you are unable to participate in the event, please inform us in writing.

Important Addresses

Suttree Landing Park: 1820 Foggy Bottom St, Knoxville, TN 37920

Seqouyah Park: 2280 Cherokee Blvd, Knoxville, TN, 37919

Star of Knoxville: 300 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN, 27902

Check In

Swimmer check-in will be held outside of the Star of Knoxville near the parking area on Saturday prior to the dinner cruise. Swimmer check-in will NOT be available on Sunday. If you do not check-in during designated swimmer check-in hours, you will NOT participate.

Pre Race Briefing & Dinner Cruise

Swimmers and pilots are required to attend the Race Briefing, which takes place Saturday aboard the Star of Knoxville. The Race Briefing is required by USMS and for everyone’s benefit. The briefing covers safety requirements, the course, rules, and, most importantly, any last-minute changes or new procedures that may occur due to weather-related forecasts or activities in this active river channel. Any swimmer or pilot unable to attend the riverboat cruise should email knox.ows@gmail.com for the information, and to make arrangements for check-in.

The riverboat cruise with dinner is included for all athletes and their pilots. Additional dinner cruise tickets may be available; a waitlist will be collected during registration, and available tickets sold in September. Dinner will be served on the cruise. A cash bar is available.

There will be NO official practice swim prior to the race. Race sponsor LB Endurance will provide preview swims in July and August; watch their social media @lbendurance for information.

Pilots drop their kayaks at Suttree Landing Park on Saturday after the dinner cruise. Overnight security for kayaks is provided.

Race Day

There is NO warm up on race morning.

Suttree Landing and Sequoyah Parks open at 6:30 a.m. on race morning for unloading of kayaks and gear, and vehicle parking. Public restrooms are open at both parks.

Swimmers and pilots park their personal vehicles at Sequoyah Park. Buses transport both swimmers and pilots to their designated starts. Swimmers will be taken to the Star of Knoxville; pilots will be taken to Suttree Landing Park. Swimmers must give their race nutrition and items to their pilot BEFORE getting dropped off at the Star of Knoxville.

Swimmer should bring their swim cap, goggles, and morning clothes bag to the Star of Knoxville. Body marking will be done as u of the riverboat. If you misplaced your swim cap, see the Race Director for a replacement. Do not apply sunscreen, lubricants, or lotion until after you are body marked. The riverboat departs at 8:30 a.m. sharp. All swimmers must be on the riverboat BEFORE this time.

Once on the riverboat, swimmers drop their tagged morning clothes bag to be taken to the finish line.

Pilots should be at Suttree Landing Park by 8:30 am to line up and enter the water by swimmer number (starting with #1). Swimmer numbers will be called out as they jump - paddle to meet your swimmer and go!

Post Race

There is no warm down after the race.

At the swim exit, volunteers will assist swimmers and pilots to dry land. Note that the exit has precarious footing and assistance is strongly recommended.

Swimmers pick up their finisher award and morning drop bag at the river exit.

Join us at the swim finish in Sequoyah Park to celebrate your swim. A post-race meal will be provided to registered swimmers, pilots, volunteers and any guest that pre-purchased a meal ticket.

If your t-shirt doesn't fit perfectly, bring it to the finish to exchange. You may also purchase additional shirts (limited sizes) with cash or Venmo here.

Any found items will be held for one week before being discarded.

Saturday, 27 September

4:00 - 5:20pm- Athlete Check In @ Star of Knoxville (on sidewalk)

5:00pm - Begin boarding Star of Knoxville for Dinner Cruise

5:30pm- Dinner Cruise Departs ON-TIME ** NO LATE BOARDING

5:30- 7:30pm - Dinner Cruise & Swimmer/Pilot Briefing

8:00-11:00pm- Kayak and SUP drop off for pilots @ Suttree Landing Park

Sunday, 28 September

6:30 am - Gear drop off available at Suttree Landing Park

6:30 am - Finish Line parking opens at Sequoyah Park for all participants

6:40, 7:00, 7:40 & 8:00 am - Buses depart from the finish line @ Sequoyah Park to drop swimmers at the boat and pilots at Suttree Landing Park.

8:00- Swimmers board Star of Knoxville Boat. Swimmers body marked.

8:30- Star of Knoxville ON-TIME ** NO LATE BOARDING with swimmers

8:45- Pilots enter the water at Suttree Landing Park

9:00- Race Start - Swimmers in, time trial start

11:00- Lead swimmers finish

11:30-2:30- Post Race Party

1:00- Race course closes

1:30- Race Awards

Course Map - SCROLL TO BOTTOM of THIS PAGE.

The point-to-point downriver swim in the Tennessee River will start 10km (6.2 miles) upstream of the finish line. The start is an 8-foot jump from the Star of Knoxville riverboat near Suttree Landing Park. Swimmers are individually released to enter the water every 5-10 seconds, starting with Swimmer #1. Swimmers immediately swim to meet their pilot and continue downriver on the LEFT (South) side of the river.

Spectators have great opportunities to watch at various points along the entire course, including views from Suttree Landing Park, [Gay Street Bridge], Henley Street Bridge, Scottish Pike Park, Cherokee Farms and Sequoyah Park.

At 4.5 miles, swimmers cross from the LEFT downstream bank to the RIGHT (North) downstream bank and stay on this side until the finish. Swimmers finish the race in the water at Sequoyah Park. The post-race party and parking is immediately located at the swim course exit.

The water temperature on race day has historically been 71-76 degrees Fahrenheit.

Swimmer Rules

• Athletes must wear a brightly colored swim cap during the entire race. The cap may NOT have any numbers on it. The race will have some caps for first time swimmers, but you may wear your own favorite.

• All swimmers must be body marked with their number in permanent marker on their hands and/or shoulders.

• Any assistance renderred during the swim will result in disqualification if forward progress is made. Swimmers are permitted to use their pilots or boats for aid, as long as no forward progress is made.

• The course will close 4 hours after the time that the last swimmer entered the water. All swimmers have 4 hours to complete the 6.2-mile course. Any swimmer failing to finish within 4 hours may receive a DNF. Race officials reserve the right to pull any swimmer that fails to make the time cut-off.

• If you drop out of the race at any time, please inform a race official. It is essential that we know where you are on the course at all times for your safety and our peace of mind.

Relay Swimmer Rules

• The two members of a relay team will act as the swimmer and pilot, and exchange roles when, where and as frequently as they choose. One race number will be assigned to the team.

• Both relay team members must be familiar with, and prepared to follow, all rules for pilots AND swimmers. For the race start, one relay team member will be the Swimmer and one will be the Pilot. Only one relay member will finish through the arch for their official race time.

• Relays will start after all solo swimmers.

• All exchanges must be done safely and not endanger or impede the progress of any other participant. There is no designated relay exchange location. Exchanges may be made anywhere along the course, including the adjacent shore. Private docks or property may NOT be used.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

Be advised that this is an OPEN course – non-event watercraft may be near the swim course at any time, including very large barges and motored boats.

Each swimmer is required to be escorted by their own pilot. If the pilot’s watercraft becomes disabled or cannot continue to accompany the swimmer, the swimmer may 1. stay in the water near the disabled escort craft until a replacement arrives, 2. join another escort craft that is accompanying only one other swimmer until another escort craft arrives, or 3. exit the water.

Pilots are responsible to help swimmers stay along the designated course; that being:

• within 100 feet of shore (except during start/entry and the single crossing), and within 30 feet of their pilot.

• swim to the left of the furthest left pillar of each bridge.

• Swimmers must remain on the LEFT of all buoys until the crossing at mile 4.5, after which time they must remain on the RIGHT (upriver side) of all buoys. (Pilots may be on the opposite side of the buoys)

• at the river crossing, the pilot and swimmer must cross together, staying within 30 feet of each other, preferably much closer

• failure to stay on the designated course may result in swimmer disqualification.

Course officials and medical personnel reserve the right to remove athletes from the course if determined medically necessary.

No waterproof or in-ear audio devices are allowed for swimmers. They are discouraged for pilots.

We will have an active lightning detection app onsite. If there is a need to evacuate the course for weather or other reasons, the patrol boat(s) will inform the pilots with a bullhorn and loud whistle blasts to clear the course, while displaying a red flag. Each pilot should have a whistle to alert their swimmer and other pilots. All pilots and swimmers should immediately exit the water at the closest shore. Swimmers should have some warm clothes in their personal kayak to stay warm. If it does not thunder or lightning for 15 minutes, the patrol boat(s) will inform swimmers that the race can resume.

While water temperatures are expected to be in the low 70's on race day, the following thermal plans will be followed in case of colder or warmer temperatures:

• Cold water plan: If the water temperature is 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit or below, swimmers will be required to wear wetsuits.

• Warm water plan: If the water temperature measures 85.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the swim will be cancelled.

SWIMWEAR POLICY

Swimwear shall only include a swimsuit, cap(s), and goggles or swim mask. Nose clips, ear plugs, and watches are allowed.

The swimmer shall only wear one swimsuit in one or two pieces. All suits shall be made from textile materials and not contain clasps or zippers (this is not a triathlon). Swimsuits shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles.

Swimmers are not permitted to wear or use any device or substance to help their speed, buoyancy, or endurance during a swim. No fins, gloves, paddles, snorkels or flotation devices (including pull buoys) of any kind are allowed.

No aqua socks, gloves, neoprene booties, or neoprene cap are permitted unless the water temperature is 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

WETSUIT RULES

Swimmers may choose to wear a wetsuit in water temperatures between 60.9 and 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit, but will not be eligible for awards. They will be noted at the start to be removed from rankings but an official time will be recorded.

Wetsuits will be absolutely prohibited in water temperatures greater than 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Every swimmer must have a pilot to escort them for the entire length of the course. The pilot and swimmer must stay within 30-ft of each other at all times. All pilots need a non-motorized watercraft (i.e. kayak, canoe, SUP). Pilots may provide their own, or request the race to provide a kayak at an additional cost.

KAYAK/SUP RENTAL via B2B RACE

During your race registration, you have the opportunity to rent a kayak. Bridges to Bluffs handles this through Knoxville-based River Sports Outfitters.

Kayak rental includes a paddle, PFD and drop-off at the Suttree Landing Park and pick-up at Sequoyah Park.

If you have any last-minute issues securing a pilot or watercraft, please email us BEFORE September 14 at knox.ows@gmail.com.

PILOT RULES

Each craft is required to have:

• (1) Personal Flotation Device per individual on the craft (you don’t need an extra for your swimmer)

• A cell phone in a waterproof container in case of emergency to contact a race official

Each craft is recommended to have:

• Water and food for two people (you will be out there a long time)

• (1) whistle

• Sunscreen, and adequate protective clothing

Pilots may provide the following assistance to swimmers:

• Food or drink may be passed from pilot to swimmer

• Assist the swimmer with navigation, including verbal, hand or written communication.

Pilots may NOT provide the following assistance to swimmers:

• A swimmer drafting directly behind the pilot shall not be permitted when open water is readily available.

• Swimmers shall not receive forward progress from pilots

• Swimmers should not contact the craft at any time during the race.

• Pilot craft shall not obstruct other swimmers in the race.

For more information, please review our PILOT WEBINAR. This webinar includes detailed navigational tips for the entire B2B course, as well as actionable information on gear, clothing, communication and safety.

The closest airport is Knoxville (TYS).

If you are driving to Knoxville from the East along I-40, note that damage from Hurricane Helene is still impacting travel, with sections of I-40 being a two-lane road under construction. This has also led to greater volume (and slower times) on I-75 from Atlanta. Plan accordingly.

PARTNER HOTELS

These hotels are each an approximate 15-minute walk to the Star of Knoxville.

1. Courtyard Knoxville by Marriott, 210 W Church Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902

   • $169 - $189 per night, Friday - Sunday nights

   • Self parking is $25/day

   • Last day to book: 8/10/25

   • COURTYARD BOOKING LINK

2. Hilton Knoxville, W Church Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902

   • $159 per night, Friday - Sunday nights

   • Self parking is $35/day and valet parking is $38/day

   • Last day to book: 8/26/25

   • To Book: Email Justin Daly (Justin.Daly@aimbridge.com) and mention Bridges to Bluffs

3. Hampton Inn

   • $174 per night (Friday - Sunday nights)

   • Self parking $10/night

   • Last day to book: 9/19/25

   • HAMPTON BOOKING LINK

We love volunteers!

B2B needs volunteers for the following roles:

• Pilots (1:1 swimmer support on a kayak or SUP). Volunteer pilots get event t-shirt, pre-race dinner cruise and post-race picnic

• On water support (Non-pilot)

• Pre Race Set Up

• Post Race Party & Finish Line Help

• Post Race Clean Up

Depending on the role, volunteers may receive an event t-shirt and post-race meal.

All Volunteers should sign up at our race website (follow race registration link and click the ‘Volunteer’ tab).

Photos By Year

• 2024 PHOTOS Part 1 and 2024 PHOTOS Part 2

• 2023 (2023-Part 2)

• 2022

• 2021

• 2019

• 2017

Results By Year

• 2024

• 2023

• 2022

• 2021

• 2019

• 2018

• 2017

The United States Masters Swimming (USMS) medical coverage protects each swimmer, volunteer, and race personnel for the day of the event at USMS sanctioned races, camps, and clinics. When athletes purchase a USMS annual membership or one-event membership (OEVT), a portion of those fees cover the cost to provide them with excess medical insurance. This coverage only extends to their participation in a USMS sanctioned event, and is only available after the injured party has filed with any primary insurance policies. There is not a deductible for this excess coverage.

If a swimmer, volunteer, or race personnel is injured while participating in a USMS sanctioned event the following steps must be followed:

• If anyone, swimmer or volunteer needs medical assistance at any time, they should seek out medical attention immediately. Any incident that occurs during a sanctioned event (swimmer or volunteer), no matter how small, should be reported to the race director and/or the safety director.

• The race director and the injured party will fill out an Incident Report Form. It can also be found here:

http://www.usms.org/admin/lmschb/gto_ins_report_of_occurrence.pdf

• For serious incidents or for athletes requesting coverage, the Race Director can provide them with an Incident Report Form. If you fill out the form on your own, please email the completed document to: knox.ows@gmail.com

Be advised that coverage may not apply to each and every claim. Additionally, coverage only extends to swimmers who are USMS members or have purchased a one-event membership and were injured through participation in a USMS-sanctioned event. Please e-mail questions to:

membership@usmastersswimming.org.

In all cases, the final decision of medical consideration is at the discretion of the race Medical Director.

Particular dangers include dehydration, hyponatremia, sunburn, exhaustion and injuries sustained from accidents. Please ask for medical help if you have the slightest hint you may need it. You will not be penalized for receiving a medical evaluation. You will only be withdrawn from the race if you require transportation, IV fluids, or if medical personnel feel your continued participation could result in serious harm or death.

During events of extreme endurance, the body’s pain threshold is raised, and you may be in more trouble than you realize. The medical personnel will do all they can to keep you in the race and assure a safe finish.

Please trim your fingernails and toenails prior to the start of the race to avoid injury to other athletes. Be especially careful to rinse your goggles of any excess defogger solutions to avoid eye irritation.

If you spend 3 months prior to the event in a climate different than Knoxville, we suggest you consider an acclimation period before the race. The chance of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can be reduced significantly by a proper period of acclimation.

Stay with your familiar and proven routine regarding training, nutrition and equipment, especially just prior to the race. This also applies to pre-race dietary intake and medications. It is recommended you avoid an extreme elimination diet. Adequate salt intake during training and during the event is especially important.

If you are taking any medications, or have any medical problem that may influence your performance or your treatment in the event of an injury, advise us of all necessary details well in advance of race day.

You are solely responsible for avoiding medications that appear on the list of banned substances as determined by WADA.

Closest medical facility: UT Medical Center, 1924 Alcoa Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, approximately 2-5 miles away, 865-305-9000.

LOVE SWIMMING THE TENNESSEE RIVER? Go for the Triple Crown of TN!

In 2018, the directors of the three largest open water events to take place on the Tennessee River (Swim Hobbs Island 5-miler, Bridges to Bluffs 10-km and Swim The Suck 10-miler) teamed up to create the Triple Crown of the Tennessee: .

Any swimmer who completes all three races will achieve a Triple Crown award. Complete all three events in a single year - gold. Two years - silver. Complete all three within three years - bronze.

If you have completed this feat, please email any race director in November and let them know which years you completed each event. After verification, you will receive a Triple Crown patch, and if you received Gold, an embroidered towel. You may only claim this title once, so please only reach out when you are ready to claim your award. Your status can always be upgraded in the future, but you will not receive another patch/towel.

For more information on the Triple Crown Series of TN, click HERE