Portland Bridge Swim

Portland Bridge Swim: Sellwood Bridge to St. Johns Bridge

Sunday July 12, 2026

Ultramarathon-Distance Open Water Event

Hosted by Portland Bridge Swim

 

LOCATION & COURSE:   The course is approximately 11 miles (17 km) on the east side of the Willamette River through downtown Portland, Oregon. The swim will start at Sellwood Riverfront Park (SE 7th Av. & Miller St.) south of the Sellwood Bridge, pass under all 12 of Portland’s bridges on the Willamette River, and finish at Cathedral Park (N. Edison & Pittsburg Av.) west of the St. Johns Bridge. Water temperature is expected to be 66–74 degrees Fahrenheit.

TIDES & START TIME:  High tide on July 12, 2026 is 3:13 am, and low tide is at 12:42 pm. The swim will start at 7:30 am and all swimmers must be out of the water by 3:30 pm.

ELIGIBILITY: This event is open to any swimmer over the age of 18 years old who has completed the eligibility requirements.

ENTRY WEBSITE & REGISTRATION:  To qualify, swimmers must show that they have completed a minimum 5000 m/5500 yd swim faster than 1:40, within 3 years of race day. Only pool swims will be accepted for qualification. Swimmers who cannot complete one mile in open water in 35 minutes should NOT enter. All entries MUST be received by 4:59 pm Pacific time on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Due to organization & safety needs, late or day-of-race entries will not be accepted.

ENTRY LIMITS:  The Portland Bridge Swim is limited to the first 100 entrants. We will maintain a waiting list in case early entrants drop out.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Swimmers who do not compete, or who do not complete the swim, are not eligible for refunds. If the swim is canceled up to 60 days prior to race day, 50% of entry fees will be refunded. If the swim is canceled less than 60 days prior to race day, no fees will be refunded.

RULES:  

• SAFETY TOW BUOYS (STBs): All swimmers MUST wear the STB, provided with their swim packets, during their entire portion of the swim. STBs, defined as inflatable buoys tethered to the waist of the swimmer, are permitted in Category I Swimwear events per USMS Rule 303.4.2.E. Swimmers may not use the STBs for flotation assistance.
• Swimmers must wear the standard latex cap provided in their swim packet. Swimmers must notify race organizers by Friday, July 3, 2026 if the cap cannot be worn. You will need to wear a suitable cap of the color assigned to you for your wave.
• All drafting is prohibited.  Swimmers must remain 3 meters or more from other swimmers, except when rounding buoys, when overtaking other swimmers when space is not readily available, when unescorted at the start and finish of the swim, and/or when the swimmer's escort craft becomes disabled.  Incidental or accidental incursion into the 3-meter zone of another swimmer shall not be the basis for disqualification.
• Swimmers may not make deliberate contact with craft, craft operators, and/or physical features on or near the course during the swim.
• Propulsive devices, such as fins & paddles, and flotation aids, such as pull-buoys, may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Director if an adaptive category is offered for the race. Please contact info@portlandbridgeswim.com before registering if you need to use an adaptive device.
• Earphones and snorkels are also not allowed. 
• Motorized watercraft are not permitted as escorts for swimmers. Under no circumstances may a swimmer come in contact with a motorized watercraft. Swimmers who are supported by motorized craft will be disqualified.

QUALIFYING SWIM:  

• To qualify for individual entry, swimmers must show that they have completed a minimum 5000-meter (5500-yard) swim faster than 1:40, within 3 years of race day.
• Only pool swims will be accepted for qualification. This qualifying swim does not have to take place in a competition, but registration requires the location of the swim and the signature of an observer. 
• If you make a mistake in your entry, we will make a good-faith effort to get your correct qualifying swim information. However, swimmers who cannot provide appropriate qualifying time information WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SWIM and their entry fee will not be refunded. 

CUT-OFF TIME:  For safety coverage, swimmers on the course who have cleared the Fremont Bridge (approximately 5.5 miles) within 4 hours of race start (note: later waves have less than 4 hours) will be stopped, transported to the race finish, and listed as DNF in the results. Swimmers who have not completed the race within 7 hours of race start will be stopped, transported to the race finish, and listed as DNF in the results.

SAFETY—OUR PRIMARY CONCERN:  Safety boats will monitor the entire course and medical personnel will be on site at the finish. Swimmers are required to have an escort in a non-motorized craft (kayak, stand up paddleboard) in a life vest and equipped with an additional life vest for the swimmer. Each escort will be provided additional mandatory race-specific safety materials. Swimmers MUST wear the brightly-colored swim cap and use the standard tow float provided in their race packet. Swimmers and escorts must follow all announced safety rules without exception.

ESCORTS:  Swimmers are required to have an escort in a non-motorized craft (ie. kayak or paddleboard). Swimmers must provide their own paddler escort and craft. For swimmer safety, motorized watercraft are not permitted to escort swimmers. 

KAYAK RENTALS: A limited number of kayaks, provided by Alder Creek Kayaks, are available for rental as an option at registration.  Kayak rental includes boat, paddle, two life jackets, delivery at the start, and pick-up at the finish. If the escort cannot fit in a standard-size rental kayak, please contact the race organizers to discuss options.

TRANSPORTATION:   A shuttle will be available at the finish to transport swimmers and escorts back to Sellwood Park. With the exception of the rental kayaks above, swimmers are responsible for transporting their kayaks and they may not be taken on the shuttle.

SCHEDULE:  Sunday, July 12, 2026

5:30-7:00 am Check-in at Sellwood Park
6:30 am Pre-race meeting
7:30 am Swim start
11:30 am Individual swimmers who have not reached mile 6 will be stopped & transported to the race finish.
2:00 pm Awards at finish in Cathedral Park
3:30 pm Individual swimmers who have not reached the finish will be stopped & transported to the race finish.

AWARDS:  All finishers will receive a 2026 Portland Bridge Swim medal.  Awards will be presented to overall race winners, and the top 3 finishers in each category. 

RESULTS:  Results will be available after the race, and will be posted at www.portlandbridgeswim.com.  

OREGON SERIES:  Involvement in the Oregon Series TBD.

EVENT WEBSITE:  www.portlandbridgeswim.com

EVENT DIRECTORS:  Daniela Klaz, info@portlandbridgeswim.com