Date
The 3rd Annual Swim the Suck 10-mile open water swim through the Tennessee River Gorge hosted by the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S), Outdoor Chattanooga and RiverRocks will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Mandatory pre-swim briefing, registration and pasta dinner will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga.
The start of the swim is at the Suck Creek Boat Launch and participants will swim 10 miles downstream through the beautiful TN River Gorge, a canyon surrounded by the Cumberland Mountains and finish at the Living Water Property in Suck Creek.
RiverRocks
Swim the Suck is part of a larger week-long outdoor sports festival RiverRocks. RiverRocks hosts competitions from rockclimbing to elite SUP racing to mountain biking to open water swimming and draws athletes nationwide as well as a few international athletes. So while you are in town for Swim the Suck, there will be a plethora of other fun outdoors activiites, music festivals, etc. going on. Chattanooga was recently voted Outside Magazines “Best Town Ever” in terms of its convenience and diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities, and open water swimming is just a small part of that.
"RiverRocks is a fun-filled, family-friendly, environmentally-conscious event that celebrates the Tennessee Valley’s incomparable natural resources, the health benefits of an active, outdoor lifestyle and Chattanooga’s commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation.
Events and activities include rock climbing, trail running, kayaking, rowing, cycling, off-road biking, hiking and hang gliding for both expert and novice competitors as well as casual participants of all ages. The 10-day event will also feature entertainment such as live music, hot air balloons, river cruises and more. RiverRocks celebrates the majesty of the area’s mountains, rivers and forests by holding many of the festival’s events in some of the Tennessee Valley’s unsurpassed parks and conservancies. These natural resources inspire the kind of outdoor activities that promote healthy lifestyles."
The start of the swim is at the Suck Creek Boat Launch and participants will swim 10 miles downstream through the beautiful TN River Gorge, a canyon surrounded by the Cumberland Mountains and finish at the Living Water Property in Suck Creek.
Currents
Swim the Suck is a downstream swim on a dam-controlled river. The release is controlled by TVA and the name of the dam is the Chickamauga dam. While we cannot predict what the current will be for a particular day in the future, we will be given an estimate of 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. The current on the previous two years of Swim the Suck is listed here:
2010: 33,000 cfs with first finishing in 3 hours and last in 5 hours.
2011: 18,000 cfs with first finishing in 3.5 hours and last in 5.5 hours.
Here is a link to TVA's website to check release data from previous 48 hours and predicted for the next 48 hours:
http://www.tva.gov/lakes/chh_r.htm
Water Temperature:
2010: 70 F
2011: 74 F
Pilots:
- Experienced kayak pilots will be provided for the first 35 swimmers to register who are in need of a volunteer pilot.
- Pilots are volunteers and outdoors enthusiasts from Chattanooga. They will guide and feed the swimmer and be in contact with the motor boats throughout the swim.
- Swimmers can also bring their own pilot and kayak, and are encouraged to if possible since our volunteer base and kayak supply is limited.
- Should you have your own pilot but need a kayak and gear, you can reserve the kayak if you are one of the first 30 people to request them.
- If you are interested in pilotting a swimmer, you will need to register. For more information please click the link below or contact karahnazor@gmail.com.
Swim Logistics
- Swimmers will be park at the end the Pot House and will be shuttled by van to the start of the swim at the Suck Creek Boat Launch.
- Swimmers will finish 5 miles downstream of the Pot House at Living Water where there will be hot coffee and changing tents provided.
- Vans will shuttle swimmers from the finish back to the Pot House when they are ready.
- The Pot House Cabin has hot showers and the after swim party and awards will be held there. There will be a taco bar, kegs of local beer, and original art swim awards.
Rules
- You must be able to complete the swim in UNDER 6 HOURS. This means if there is ZERO current, you should be able to swim 1 open water mile in under 36 minutes (2 miles per 1 hour 12 minutes).
- We will follow the English Channel swimming rules. This means no swim suits below the knees or shoulders. No suits that provide any buoyancy. No wetsuits. No swim aids. No hanging onto your pilot's boat. No touching other people.
- It is advised that you complete at least a 4 hour training swim prior to attempting Swim the Suck.
- It is advised that swimmers train in water around 70 degrees to become acclimatized to swimming in water at this temperature. Swimmers can become hypothermic in 70 degree water.
- It is advised that swimmers practice feeding every 30 minutes.
- If you have any questions about your ability to swim this event, please email the Race Director to discuss your credentials. karahnazor@gmail.com
Schedule
Friday October 5th, 2012
Registration 5:00 pm
On Friday, October 5th, at 5:00 p.m. you should arrive at Outdoor Chattanooga in downtown Chattanooga. First you will register and then you will be introduced to your volunteer pilot (if you have one).
Practice Swim 5:30 p.m.
This is when you meet your pilot and then go for a quick practice swim with them in the TN River.
Pasta Dinner
At 6:30 p.m. the pasta dinner and swim briefing will be held at Outdoor Chattanooga.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th, 2012
7:45 a.m.
Arrive and Park at the Pot House. Get suited up and put all of your items in the provided plastic bag.
8:15 a.m.
Shuttles arrive at the Pot House to drive swimmers and pilots from the Pot House parking lot to the start of the swim at the Suck Creek Boat Launch.
9:30 a.m.
Official start of swim.
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Swimmers expected at the finish line at Living Water.
Noon - 2:00
Shuttles transport swimmers and kayakers to Living Water where they are invited to shower, rest and eat in the historic cabin. Awards will be presented to the swimmers and food and drink will be provided.
