Participants can enter an 8K long-distance swim in Lake Mead or focus on the triathlon-oriented 1.2-mile or 2.4-mile swims. But, like a game of poker, swimmers can up the ante and do the Grand Slam event (swimming both the 8K and 1.2-mile race) or the Super Slam event (swimming both the 2.4-mile and 1.2-mile races). The point-to-point races start at the Sunset View Overlook inside Lake Mead and finish at Boulder Beach.
If racing was not enough incentive, the organizers require that the Grand Slam participants complete their 8K first leg within 15 minutes of the 1.2-mile race start and the Super Slam participants to complete their 2.4-mile first leg within 15 minutes of the 1.2-mile race start.
With an anticipated water temperature of 72-78°F, wetsuits will be allowed, but those athletes will not be eligible for awards.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.