The event hosts a 1 mile, 2.6-km, and 5-km swim. The swims are held in a bay off the main channel of the Little Tennessee River, just upstream of it’s terminus the Tennessee River at Fort Loudon Dam. This water offers negligible current, with some texture created by surface winds.

All races start in the water, just a short distance off the main beach of the Tellico Recreation Area. 1-mile swimmers follow a narrow rectangular course along the dam’s rock wall. Both the 2.6-km and 5.2-km swimmers head further into Little Tennessee River, following a dog leg loop, to swim around the tiny “Little Sister Island” before returning back to the start/finish area. 5.2-km swimmers will swim the course two times, staying in water to start the second loop, while 2.6-km swimmers will proceed through the finish arch after one loop.

Registration fees includes entry into the race, a commemorative T-shirt, finisher award, post-race snacks and race timing.

This event is intended to be dual sanctioned by USMS and USA Swimming. Sanction applications pending. USMS and USA Swimming swimmers may be mixed in waves. Any swimmers affiliated with both NGBs will be asked during registration to declare one affiliation for this event.

Participants must be 11 years or older on 12/31/2024 and have an active USA Swimming membership or USMS annual membership. Swimmers 18+ with neither membership will purchase a USMS one day event membership ($20) during registration. All USA Swimming registered swimmers 18+ must have current Athlete Protection Training (APT) completed before race day.

Registration Fees

(May 1 at 12:00 pm - June 24 at 11:59 pm)

1-mile = $60

2.6-km = $70

5.2-km = $80

Late Registration (June 25 - June 30 at 11:59 pm). T-shirt availability and sizes not guaranteed.

1-mile = $70

2.6-km = $80

5.2-km = $90

NO REFUNDS.

Race Location

Tellico Dam Recreation Area (TVA), 200 Tellico Pkwy, Lenoir City, TN 37772

Awards

For each distance & each gender:

Top Youth (18-)

Top Open (19-39)

Top Masters (40-59)

Top Sr. Masters (60+)

All races will begin at the outside of the permanent floating yellow buoys by the park beach.

Swimmers will pass all buoys to the right (buoys on your LEFT shoulder).

The finish will be floating in the water, with lane lines forming a finish chute.

1-Mile Swim (narrow rectangle course)

• Follow the path of the Tellico Dam rock wall, swimming 0.45 miles, then around the end RED buoys (~ 50 m), and return to the start/finish area.

2.6km Swim (dog leg loop of “Little Sister Island”)

• Swim the swim the first 0.45 miles alongside the Tellico Dam, angling left out into the Little TN River to swim around “Little Sister Island,” before heading back towards the dam and back to the start/finish.

5.2-km Swim (two dog leg loops of “Little Sister Island”)

• Swim the 2.6k swim route twice. The second loop will continue in water (no exit between loops).

Scroll to the bottom of this webpage to see course maps.

Subject to change. Start waves added on 7/3/24.

Race Day July 6, 2024

5:50 am Parking areas open

6:00 - 7:00 am Swimmer Check In

6:30 - 7:00 am Swimmer Warm Up area available

7:15 am Pre-Race Briefing on the Beach

7:30 am 1-mile Race Start (Wave 1: all ages)

7:35 am 2.6-km race start (Wave 2: ages 39 & Under)

7:37 am 2.6-km race start (Wave 3: ages 40 & Over)

7:40 am 5.2-km race start (Wave 4: ages 39 & Under)

7:42 am 5.2-km race start (Wave 5: ages 40 & Over)

10:12 am Course closes (or 2.5 hours after the final wave starts)

8:30 -11:00 am Post-race party including race awards, snacks, drinks!

Approximate Awards Presentations

8:30 am 1-mile Awards

9:30 am 2.6-km Awards

10:30 am 5.2-km Awards

Pre Race

Parking is available on site (may be on grass). Please do not park at the boat ramp unless you are launching a boat.

Portable toilets will be available. The Recreation area’s permanent restrooms will not be in service, however, they will be available for minor participants (ages 17 and under) to use for changing. Public nudity is not permitted.

All swimmers must check in prior to the race. Athletes that do not check in will not be allowed to participate. A colored race swim cap will be issued at this time.

Body marking with a permanent marker on hands and/or shoulders will take place immediately after you check-in. Do not apply sunscreen, lubricants, or lotion until after you are body marked.

Warm Up may take place in either of the two swim areas enclosed by the floating yellow buoys. The warm up areas must be cleared prior to the pre-race briefing.

Pre-Race Briefing

Participants are required to be in the start area of the race 20 minutes before the communicated start time. A brief swim course review and other relevant information will be given at this time.

See the Rules for the Start & Finish Procedures.

Post Race

Upon finishing the race, swimmers should quickly clear the area immediately after the chute for the next finishers.

Swimmers should swim back to the beach and may use the area between the floating yellow buoy and the beach for warm down. This is available until 10:30 am.

Join us at the check-in area after the swim to celebrate. Swimmers and volunteers may enjoy post-race snacks and collect their finishers’ award (every swimmer gets one!) Post-race snacks are not meant for guests and spectators.

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.

Please dispose of all trash in approved containers.

Any found items will be held for one week before being discarded. Email knox.ows@gmail.com if you lost a valuable item.

Participation

Participation in the event is open to swimmers of 11 years and over. All swimmers must have a current USMS membership or USA Swimmer license to enter. To participate the relevant entry fee must have been paid and the swimmer must check in prior to the race start.

All participants are asked to demonstrate good sportsmanship and kindness to all other participants, officials, volunteers and spectators. Any person that is disrespectful, harmful, offensive or obscene will be asked to leave.

Swimmers Responsibility

The swimmer (or their parents/guardians if the swimmer is 18 years or younger) takes sole responsibility for their participation. The organisers cannot be held responsible for theft, breakage, or accidents before, during or after the race.

The organisers takes no responsibility for accidents taking place along the swimming course due to the natural conditions of the river (rocks, inlets etc). Nor do the organizers take responsibility for accidents caused by incompetence, negligence, or poor signaling.

Each swimmer participates in the event through choice and as such, the organizers takes no responsibility for personal injuries or injuries to third parties.

While support volunteers will be placed on water crafts throughout the course, it is the responsibility of the participant to comfortably be able to swim the chosen distance, and if need be decide whether they should abandon or continue in the event.

The organisers, sponsors and collaborators take no responsibility for the actions of swimmers and their companions that may lead to claims/lawsuits by third parties.

The swimmers relieve the organizers, its sponsors and collaborators from any claim resulting from damage to equipment, materials, and properties, including (but not limited to) loss, theft, breakage etc.

Be advised that this is an OPEN course – non-event watercraft may be near the swim course.

Safety Rules

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 a boat for aid, as long as no forward progress is made.

If you drop out or are pulled from 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. If you are transported to any medical station, the medical staff will take responsibility for you.

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

No waterproof headphones or in-ear audio devices are allowed.

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 will inform all volunteers and swimmers with a bullhorn and loud whistle blasts to clear the course, while displaying a red flag. Volunteer pilots should have a whistle to alert swimmers and other pilots. All pilots and swimmers should immediately exit the water at the closest shore. If it does not thunder or lightning for 20 minutes, the patrol boat will inform pilots and swimmers that the race can resume, with swimmers entering the course at the point they exited.

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

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

Warm water plan: If the water temperature exceeds 85 degF, the 5.2-km distance will be reduced to 2.6-km, and a 90-minutes time limit enforced. If the water temperature measures 87.8 degF or higher, the entire swim race will be cancelled.

Swimwear & Equipment

• All swimmers must wear an official swim cap (provided by the organizers). You may not start the race without the race cap. Cap color indicates race distance.

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

• Swimsuits shall be nontransparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate.

• 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. For both men and women, the swimsuit 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, pace navigation, buoyancy, or endurance during a swim. No fins, gloves, paddles, snorkels or flotation devices (including pull buoys) of any kind are allowed.

• Any kind of tape or flat armband is not permitted unless approved by the referee.

• Wetsuits may be worn below 78 degF, but those swimmers will not be eligible for awards. “Lava shorts,” aqua socks, neoprene booties, or neoprene caps are not permitted unless the water temperature is 60.8 degF or colder.

Start Procedure

Participants are required to be in the start area of the race 20 minutes before the communicated start time. A brief swim course review and other relevant information will be given at this time.

Swimmers will assemble on the beach, positively checked by official and released in waves to swim to the starting line at the outer floating buoy.

All races will begin at the outside of the permanent floating yellow buoys by the park beach. Swimmers will have one hand on the floating buoy at race start.

The start of each wave will be signaled by the blow of a whistle or blast of a horn.

Swim Route

The swim course will be clearly marked, and reviewed on the day of the event once participants have been called to the start area.

Swimmers will pass all buoys to the right (buoys on your LEFT shoulder).

During the race, participants will be accompanied by volunteer on-water support that will provide rescue assistance where necessary.

The cut-off time for all races is 2.5 hours from the start of the final wave for the 5.2-km swim. All swimmers remaining in the water after this time, may be picked up and taken to the finish point.

Race Finish

The finish will be floating in the water, with lane lines forming a finish chute. The swimmers’ finish time is recorded when they slap the FINISH sign overhead with either hand.

Cancellation

The event may be postponed or cancelled if the organizers consider that the swim is not safe to proceed.

Race Location: Tellico Dam Recreation Area (TVA) 200 Tellico Pkwy, Lenoir City, TN 37772

Free parking on site (may be on grass).

Hotels DEALS:

Hampton Inn Lenoir City, 585 Fort Loudoun Medical Center Dr. Lenoir City, Tennessee 37772

Available July 05-07 2024, Special Rate available until June 20 to reserve rooms at this rate ($149/night)

Book by 1. Calling the hotel direct at: 865.988.2000 and ask for the BUSSELL ISLAND SWIM Block or Group code: BIS, or 2. Use this LINK.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Knoxville Lenoir City/I-75, 370 Adesa Blvd, Lenoir City, TN 37771

Available July 05-07 2024, Special Rate available until June 20 to reserve rooms at this rate ($129/night).

Please call 865-412-0500 and ask for Trae if you have any questions. When calling in please provide group code EVE.

Use this LINK.

In addition to our host hotels, there are various other hotels, campgrounds, and housing options available in the area. Lenoir City offers a variety of restaurants and retail stores.

The nearest airport is Knoxville (TYS).

Click the year below to access results.

2024

Find your race photos by clicking the year below.

2024

The USA Swimming Safe Sport program is USA Swimming’s comprehensive abuse prevention program dedicated to creating a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members.

Components of the program include, but are not limited to, providing education and training, enforcing policies (such as the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy), rules and best practice guidelines, promoting healthy boundaries and mandatory reporting of violations.

The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy prohibits Adult Participants (as defined) from having one-on-one interactions with minor athletes which are not within an observable and interruptible distance from another adult. Adult Participants are required to abide by this policy in full during this meet.

Pursuant to USA Swimming Rules and Regulations and federal law, it is every member’s responsibility to immediately (i.e., with-in 24 hours) report any incident of child abuse, including physical or sexual abuse, to law enforcement and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Reporting must occur when an individual has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or where specific and credible infor-mation has been received from a victim or knowledgeable third party.

A report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport may be made via telephone at 833-5US-SAFE (833-587-7233) or online at uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern. Various state laws may also require reporting to law enforcement or to a designated child protection agency. For information on how to report other alleged violations, including without limitation, the USA Swimming Code of Conduct and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy, please visit usaswimming.org/report.

All athletes age 18, or who turn 18 during the meet, must complete Athlete Protection Training in order to be a USA Swimming registered member in good standing by the first day of the meet. A member not in good standing will be prohibited from participating in the competition until such time as all membership requirements are completed. Times achieved by an athlete who turns age 18 on or during the meet, who competes in this USA Swimming sanctioned event without completing this membership requirement, will NOT count for qualification or recognition. This includes participation as a member of a relay.

Each club is responsible for the conduct of its swimmers. Any person who, in the opinion of the Meet Referee, Meet Director or Meet Marshall, is harmful to others or to other’s property may be required to leave the competition. No swimmer will be allowed access to the venue without a coach member present. If the home club coach is not planning to attend event, swimmer must designate a supervising coach. Arriving with fellow LSC club/coach is preferred. However, if a swimmer arrives without a coach, he/she must find a willing coach at the venue to sign supervision form before a credential can be issued.

Operation of a drone, or any other flying apparatus, is prohibited over the venue including athlete/coach areas, spectator areas and open ceiling locker rooms any time athletes, coaches, officials and/or spectators are present, except by operators approved by USA Swimming.

Coaches must meet and have current certifications for all the requirements of coach membership including successfully passing the required background check and APT course.

Any swimmer entered in the meet must be certified by a USA Swimming member-coach as being proficient in performing a racing start. It is the responsibility of the swimmer or the swimmer’s legal guardian to ensure compliance with this requirement.

During warm-up sessions, athletes must enter the water feet-first, except in designated lanes and times. Violations may result in disqualification from next individual event or expulsion from the meet.

It is understood and agreed that USA Swimming, the Event Hosts, Facility Owners, Officials, and the LSCs shall be free from any liabilities or claims for damages arising by reason of injuries to anyone during the conduct of the event.

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.