Bridges to Bluffs 2024 Preview Swims

Preview swims for Bridges to Bluffs 10k (race date = 22 Sep 2024). This is an opportunity for both swimmers and pilots to check out the B2B course - you do not need to be registered for B2B to participate in this preview. Swimmers are encouraged to bring a pilot, but this is not a 1-1 piloted swim, rather all the pilots will be spread across our field and support 1-3 swimmers. More pilots is BETTER!
 
The events are FREE, hosted by the Knoxville Open Water Swimmers (KOWS), a USMS Gold Club. Registration for this preview is REQUIRED for EVERY participant (enables planning & communication). Swimmers must have an active USMS annual membership OR an active 30-day trial membership. One-day event memberships are not available for this event.
 
In case of severe weather, un-swimmable conditions or other reason to cancel, we will attempt to reschedule the previews, but it is not guaranteed.
 
PREVIEW SWIM #1 (27 July 2024)
For the first preview we swim 3 miles, starting at Island Home Park (1.2 miles upriver from the B2B start at Suttree Landing Park) and exiting at Neyland Drive Boat Ramp that is 1.8 miles into the B2B course. 3 miles total.
SCHEDULE SWIM #1 (Subject to change)
** Pilots or swimmers may choose to enter or exit the water at another location - just kindly share your plans so we can keep an accurate count of all those that enter/exit the water with our group! **7:00 Pilots unload (or inflate SUPs) at Island Home Park; then drive 10-minutes to Neyland Boat Ramp - we will watch boats at the start7:20 Swimmers pick up pilots at Neyland Boat Ramp & drive to Island Home
7:30 Last car loaded up for shuttle to Island Home (10-minute drive)7:50 Be ready to swim and paddle
8:00 Safety/Navigational Briefing for Pilots and Swimmers8:10 Enter water8:15 Start swimming once most of group is ready (let’s start together!)
Depending on the River assistance, plan on 1:15-1:45 to be on/in the water.
AFTER the Swim, pilots please help shuttle swimmers back to Island Home Park to collect their cars.
ADDRESSES SWIM #1
LIMITED PARKING at BOTH LOCATIONS. Carpool as much as possible!!Island Home Park = 2225 Estelle Cir, Knoxville, TN 37920Neyland Boat Ramp (aka KUB) = 2100 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916
 
PREVIEW SWIM #2 (10 August 2024)
For this second preview, we  swim 3.3 or 4.4 miles, all of which are part of the B2B race course. We enter the River at Neyland Drive Boat Ramp, and exit at the Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp (3.3 miles) or Sequoyah Hills Park (4.4 miles). Sequoyah Hills Park/Bathrooms is the location of the B2B race exit and finish line celebration.
SCHEDULE SWIM #2  (subject to change)
** Pilots or swimmers may choose to enter or exit the water at another location - just kindly share your plans so we can keep an accurate count of all those that enter/exit the water with our group! **7:00 Pilots unload (or inflate SUPs) at Neyland Boat Ramp; then drive 10-minutes to Sequoyah Hills Bathrooms or Boat Ramp - we will watch boats at the start7:20 Swimmers pick up pilots at Sequoyah Hills Bathrooms AND Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp, then drive to Neyland Boat Ramp
7:30 Last car loaded up for shuttle to Neyland Boat Ramp (10-minute drive)7:50 Be ready to swim and paddle
8:00 Safety/Navigational Briefing for Pilots and Swimmers8:10 Enter water8:15 Start swimming once most of group is ready (let’s start together!)

There are two exit options. The swim is 4.4 miles to the B2B exit at SH Bathrooms/Park, or 3.3 miles to the SH Boat Ramp. This is ALL part of the B2B event course.
Depending on the River assistance, plan on 1:30-2:30 to be on/in the water.
AFTER the Swim, pilots please help shuttle swimmers back to Neyland Boat Ramp to collect their cars.
ADDRESSES SWIM #2
START = Neyland Drive Boat Ramp aka KUB, 1995 Neyland Drive, 37916 (LIMITED PARKING)EXIT, 3.3 miles = Sequoyah Hills Boat Ramp, 1600 Cherokee Blvd, 37919EXIT, 4.4 miles = Sequoyah Hills Park West (Bathrooms), 2280 Cherokee Blvd, 37919