The Course

Start: Sellwood Riverfront Park
Finish: Cathedral Park

The Portland Bridge Swim course is approximately 11 miles (17 km) with the current. Swimmers will enter the water at Sellwood Riverfront Park (SE 7th Ave & Miller St, Portland), swim South under the Sellwood Bridge, pass around the bridge pylons and swim North along the East side of the river. The course runs under all 12 of Portland's Willamette River bridges, through downtown and beyond. Swimmers will pass under the St. John's bridge and exit the water via the boat ramp in Cathedral Park (N Edison & Pittsburg Ave, Portland).

2015 Important Dates

Race Date: July 12th, 2015!
Registration Closes: July 3rd, 2015!

The Portland Bridge Swim will take place on July 12th, 2015. High tide on race day is predicted to be at 3:35am, with low tide at 1:16 pm. That means that swimmers will have an good downstream ride this year! To avoid the heaviest boat traffic as much as possible, the swim will start at 7:30 am. To ensure a safe and orderly start, swimmers will take off in waves of 20.

Other Important Information

Hosted by:

The Portland Bridge Swim course is being hosted by Portland Bridge Swim LLC. The 2015 Portland Bridge Swim will not be sanctioned by US Masters Swimming

Exact Course:

While the exact route is left to each swimmer and kayak escort, swimmers will stay on the east side of the Wilamette River. Click here to see an exact map of the race organizer's own solo swim in 2010. The short zig-zag lines show when feedings were done.

Water Temp:

Water temperature is expected to be between 66 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the current water temperature at the Morrison Bridge.