USMS Announces 2025 Open Water Nationals

SARASOTA, Fla. — U.S. Masters Swimming will have five open water national championships at three venues across the country in 2025.

The 2025 USMS Sprint-Distance and Long-Distance Open Water National Championships will be April 4 and April 5, respectively, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. These events will run alongside USA Swimming’s Open Water National and Junior Championships.

The two 2025 USMS Cable Open Water National Championships will follow on May 31 at Chris Greene Lake Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the 2025 Ultramarathon-Distance Open Water National Championship will be July 13 in the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.

“Our partnership with USA Swimming continues to provide opportunities for our members to enjoy unique experiences,” USMS CEO Dawson Hughes says. “Swimmers will have a chance in Sarasota to compete on the same course as Olympians and National Team members and then cheer them on as they compete.

“We’ve built strong relationships with all of our event directors and firmly believe that they’ll provide a national championship experience for all competitors.”

The 600-acre Nathan Benderson Park regularly hosts major events, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team Rowing Trials and the NCAA Rowing Championships, and will be hosting USA Swimming’s National and Junior Championships for the third consecutive year.

The Sprint-Distance Open Water National Championship will be 1 mile, and the Long-Distance Open Water National Championship will be a 5K.

“We’re looking forward to providing open water swimmers with the opportunity to race at a world-class facility alongside the fastest swimmers in the country in what will be an amazing festival atmosphere,” says Sarasota Sharks CEO and Head Coach Brent Arckey, whose club is hosting the two USMS national championships.

“Swimmers will have the chance to compete with their peers, watch the nation’s best race, and enjoy the incredible attractions that Sarasota has to offer, including Siesta Key Beach.”

Because the race course has been surveyed, competitors are eligible to set records for the two Cable Open Water National Championships. The races will be 1 mile and 2 miles long.

Chris Greene Lake has been the site of the John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Cable Swim since 1977 and was the site of its first USMS national championship in 1979.

“As the John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Cable Swim approaches its 50th anniversary, we invite swimmers to come break records and enjoy our historic venue,” says Jim Miller, co–event director and member of Virginia Masters Swim Team, which is hosting the event.

The Portland Bridge Swim will be the Ultramarathon-Distance Open Water National Championship for the fourth time in the past eight years. The 11-mile race gets its name because the course passes under the city’s 12 bridges across the Willamette River.

“Our race takes swimmers through the heart of Portland, where they’ll be cheered on by spectators on bridges and riverbanks,” says Marisa Frieder, co–event director and member of Oregon Masters. “It’s an incredible experience, and afterward, swimmers can celebrate at one of Portland’s many fabulous restaurants. We can’t wait to see everyone back in the river.”

Registration for all five events will open in early 2025. Visit usms.org/ownats for more information.

USMS has previously announced its two pool national championships for 2025. The 2025 USMS Spring National Championship will be April 24–27, 2025, at the Northside ISD Swim Center in San Antonio, and the 2025 USMS Summer National Championship will be Aug. 6–10, 2025, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington.