Swim the Suck 2026

Swimmer Registration opens April 7, 2026 at Noon ET!  

Swim the Suck (STS) is a 10-mile open-water race through the scenic Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Founded in 2010, the event attracts swimmers from across the U.S. and abroad for a unique adventure blending competition, community, and natural beauty.

STS 2026 will occur Saturday, October 3rd with a 9:30am start at the Suck Creek Boat Launch. It is hosted by the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S.) and dual-sanctioned by US Masters Swimming and USA Swimming.

Participants can complete the 10 mile swim solo (limit of 125 USMS swimmers and 10 USA swimmers) or register as a relay team of 2 swimmers (new this year with a limit of 10 relays total). All swimmers over 18 must have a current USMS or USA membership or purchase a USMS single day event membership. Swimmers 14-17 must be current USA Swimming members.

All solo swimmers MUST be accompanied by a PILOT.  Swimmers are STRONGLY encouraged to find their own pilot. Relay swimmers will switch between piloting and swimming. A small number of pilots and kayaks are available for a fee. All PILOTS must also register. There is no fee for pilots - swimmer's fee covers their pilot's costs.

A pre-swim briefing and pasta dinner will be held on Friday, October 2nd at 5:00pm at Waterhouse Pavilion, part of Miller Plaza in downtown Chattanooga. You will meet your pilot (if you requested one) and pick up your race packet during this event.  

The following are included in every registration:

• One race entry (for a solo swimmer OR a relay team of two swimmers)
• Two Swim the Suck logo'd t-shirts (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Two dinners for the Friday dinner (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Two post-race meals on Saturday (swimmer & pilot OR two relay swimmers)
• Finisher award for all participants (swimmers and pilots)
• Race morning bus transportation from the finish line to the starting areas for swimmers and pilots

IMPORTANT Relay Instructions

For two-person relays, each participant provides their own USMS number as they register. The first person to register creates the relay team and enters their USMS number. The first person pays the full team fee. The second person then registers using the team their partner created and enters their USMS number. (Age group relay members do the same but do not have to enter the USMS number).

Highlighted Nonprofit for Donations

STS supports the Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT).  TRGT is a Chattanooga area land trust that serves as a leader in conservation, actively stewarding over 17,000 acres in the Tennessee River Gorge. Its mission for over 40 years has been "to conserve a healthy Tennessee River Gorge as a community treasure for generations." TRGT envisions a thriving future for the Tennessee River Gorge where the community has great access to outdoor recreation and wildlife flourishes. TRGT helps ensures STS and its participants experience a swim bounded by the beauty of the land and encompassed by the thriving waters.  You can learn more about TRGT here. 

If you would like to support TRGT, then indicate so upon completing your registration or click on the tab titled ""Give to TRGT" in the menu on the left.