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Registration is open!

Enter online here.  If you prefer a paper entry, contact the race organizer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  Watch for updates here and on our Facebook page.

When?

July 21, 2013.  High tide on race day is predicted to be at 5:05 am, with low tide at 2:52 pm.  That means that swimmers will have a great downstream ride this year!  To avoid the heaviest boat traffic as much as possible, the swim will start at 7:30 am.  To ensure an orderly start, swimmers will take off in waves of 20.

Who?

The race is being hosted by Portland Bridge Swim LLC.  The 2013 swim will not be sanctioned by US Masters Swimming.

Where?

Race Start

Sellwood Riverfront Park, SE 7th Ave. & Miller St. in Portland.  

Race Finish

Cathedral Park, N. Edison & Pittsburg Ave. in Portland.

The Course

Approximately 11 miles (17 km) with the current.  Swimmers will enter the water at Sellwood Riverfront Park, swim South under the Sellwood Bridge, pass around the bridge pylons and swim North along the East side of the river.  The course runs under all 11 of Portland’s Willamette River bridges, through downtown and beyond.  Swimmers will pass under the St. John’s bridge and exit the water via the boat ramp in Cathedral Park.

We're pleased to partner with the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival , the oldest Jazz & Blues festival West of the Mississippi.  The festival takes place the same weekend as the swim, so after you finish the 11 mile race at Cathedral Park, head up the hill for some great free music!

Water temperature is expected to be between 66- 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  Check the current water temperature at the Morrison Bridge.

While the exact route is left to each swimmer and escort, swimmers will stay on the east side of the river.  Here is an exact map of the race organizer's own solo swim in 2010- the short zig-zag lines show when feedings were done.