WHO IS WELCOME:

We are committed to making this event as inclusive and accessible as possible. We strive to accommodate all swimmers who meet our eligibility requirements and qualifying swim pace, including swimmers with disabilities.

ASL interpreters will be available at packet pickup, the pre-race dinner, and on shore during the event. If you require an ASL interpreter on the water, please contact us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

If you plan to participate as a guided swimmer (tethered to another swimmer) or use adaptive equipment or assistive devices while swimming, please contact us before registering.  We will make every reasonable effort to support your participation while also ensuring that all accommodations can be provided safely for you and everyone involved.

In 2026, we held the race with 3 gender categories (women, men, non-binary) and intend to continue doing so moving forward.

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 7^th 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 68–79 degrees Fahrenheit.

See current river temps here: Morrison Bridge River Temps (USGS)

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 7:20 am and all swimmers must be out of the water by 3:00 pm.

ELIGIBILITY:
Anyone who has completed the qualification swim and is 18 years old or older on the event date is eligible to register.

ENTRY & REGISTRATION: 

Entry is limited to the first 100 entrants.  We will maintain a waiting list in case early entrants drop out. 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. 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.

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 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.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Swimmers who do not compete, or who do not complete the swim, are not eligible for refunds.

If the event is canceled by organizers up to 60 days prior to race day, 50% of entry fees will be refunded. If the event is canceled by organizers less than 60 days prior to race day, no fees will be refunded.

RULES:

Please read through our rules: Portland Bridge Swim Rules 2026

SAFETY TOW BUOYS (STBs): All swimmers MUST wear the STB, provided with their swim packets, during their entire portion of the swim.

Attire: Category I and Category II attire will be permitted as defined by USMS Rules.  If the water temperature reaches 78 F or above the morning of the race, only Category I attire will be allowed.  No thermal neoprene or non-neoprene attire will be allowed to reduce the risk of heat-related injuries.

Swimmers must wear the cap provided in their swim packet. Swimmers must notify race organizers by Friday, June 28, 2024 if the cap cannot be worn for medical reasons. 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, are not allowed.

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.

CUT-OFF TIMES:

For safety coverage, swimmers on the course who have not cleared the Fremont Bridge (approximately 5.5 miles) by 11:30 AM will be stopped, transported to the race finish, and listed as DNF in the results. Swimmers who have not completed the race by 3 PM 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, SUP) 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 STB 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 escort and craft. For swimmer safety, motorized watercraft are not permitted to escort swimmers.  Paddlers MUST wear a PFD - any paddlers seen not wearing a PFD can result in their swimmers being disqualified.

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.

SCHEDULE: Sunday, July 12, 2026

5:30-7:00 am Check-in at Sellwood Park

6:30 am Pre-race meeting

7:20 am Swim start (Wave 1)

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

3:00 pm Any swimmer who has not reached the finish line by 3 PM will be pulled and listed as DNF

RACE-DAY LUNCH:

Lunch at the finish will be provided with registration (via vouchers) for one swimmer and one kayak escort. No food will be sold on-site, it is only available with a voucher. If you would like additional lunches, they can be purchased for $15 with your registration.

TRANSPORTATION:

New for 2026: a shuttle will be available to transport anyone parking in the Cathedral Park parking lot (8800, 8940 N Bradford St, Portland, OR 97203) back to Sellwood at the start of the race. The tentative time of the shuttles' departure will be 5:00 AM (subject to change).  If you plan on riding the shuttle after dropping a car at the finish line, please keep in mind that kayaks and paddleboards will not be allowed onto the shuttle due to space constraints.  If you have a lot of equipment or a vessel, please plan on dropping it off at Sellwood Riverfront Park by 4:30 AM the day of the race, then driving the 30 minutes to the Cathedral Park boat ramp parking lot to meet the shuttle in time.  (NOTE: include how many seats you'll need in your registration add-ons so we can book enough shuttles!)

After the race, 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.  The shuttle runs roughly every hour or so, and the trip from Cathedral Park to Sellwood Riverfront Park takes anywhere between 25-45 minutes, depending on traffic.  If you don't want to wait on the shuttle, or if you're bringing your own vessel and need to transport it, we recommend dropping a vehicle off at the finish line (Cathedral Park's boat ramp parking lot) and then carpooling or ridesharing to the start line, or taking the morning shuttle.  Paddlers have also paddled from the finish to the start line before the event, but keep in mind you need to be at Sellwood by 7 AM at the latest, and you may be paddling against the tide and current.

AWARDS:

All finishers will receive a finisher award.

First, second, and third place finishers in both non-wetsuit and wetsuit categories for each division (womens, non-binary, and mens) will receive an award. There will be other awards as well.

RESULTS:

Results will be available after the race, and will be posted on our event website.

PRE-RACE DINNER:

Back by popular demand! Saturday early evening after check-in, join your fellow competitors and support crews for a pre-race dinner! Gluten-free and vegetarian options are included.

Location: Willamette Park Picnic Shelter (https://maps.app.goo.gl/vr3RQ3GQBxSqTkta8)

 

Event Director: Daniela Klaz info@portlandbridgeswim.com