If you read yesterday’s news that we have a new integration with US Masters Swimming with surprise, we have news for you: swimming event organizers have been using RunSignup technology for many years. We’re excited to make things a little easier for USA Masters Swimming (USMS) members and event directors!
Many of these races did previously require a USMS membership or offered a discount for USMS memberships. This required some manual work (like verifying the validity of membership numbers entered as custom questions) and sending people off-site to purchase their membership. This new integration just means they’ll have a much easier solution for their next event.
Curious how swim events work on the platform? Check out a few of our favorites!
Betsy Owens-Terry Laughlin Memorial Cable Swims
This picturesque swim on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid offers the Betsy Owens 1 mile cable swim and Terry’s 2-mile cable swim, each done in laps around the underwater cable. After taking the year off in 2020, the swim returned in 2021.
Donations to the event stay within the swimming community, with all donations made to Adirondack Masters Swimming in honor of Terry Laughlin.
The Big Swell Swim
This event brings double-the-fun, with options to participate in 1.2 mile or 2.4 mile event in either Lake Monona in Madison, or at Devil’s Lake, with the swim at each location held a few days apart. The swim supports a fitting cause, Clean Lakes Alliance, with a portion of each registration going to the charity partner and a soft ask for additional donations during registration.
Our favorite part? Taking into account some of the financial struggles brought on by the pandemic, they went a-la-carte and cut down on their included swag for a more streamlined race package, with premium swag items like towels as an add-on option instead.
Steelman Racing Nockamixon Swim Challenge
Like many swim events, the Nockamixon Swim Challenge offers a scenic swim with multiple distance options (this time, 1, 2, and 3 miles) and divisions for swimmers in wetsuits, and swimmers without wetsuits. What sets this event apart? The 3-mile relay option makes it easy for swimmers to join forces, making the event more fun in the process.
The race is a part of an Open Water Swim Series from Steelman Racing, giving swimmers the opportunity to familiarize themselves with what to expect from a swim race, while keeping things interesting with unique venues, courses, and distance options for each event.
Swim to the Moon
The delightfully named “Swim to the Moon” takes place in Southeast Michigan’s series of lakes, namely, Halfmoon Lake. After going virtual in 2020, they have maintained virtual options for each distance for 2021, creating an accessible option for swimmers who can’t make it on race day.
We love their collection of photos, including finish line photos from 2019 and participant uploads from their virtual edition in 2020.
26th Annual Long Bridge Swim
What makes this long-running swim in Sandpoint, Idaho stand out? It’s course is welcoming and accessible to swimmers of all ability levels, including children (it’s recommended that children under 12 have an adult swim with them). The 1.76 mile swim follows alongside the Pedestrian Long Bridge, allowing any nervous parents to walk alongside their swimming children and monitor their progress. Even for the experienced, the proximity to the bridge is a benefit: this race is designed for enthusiastic spectators.
Mermaid Open Water Swim
This open water swim in Boca Raton may just offer the best views of all (it’s a tough competition!). There’s something for everyone, from the Lil’ Mermaid Splash at just 200 yards to the full 2 mile version.
For their charity partner, they chose something a little different. Rather than selecting a large nonprofit, the opted to partner with a local charity foundation organized by the family of a community member (and swimmer) who was killed, The Swim for Nick Foundation.
The video they embed on their website really highlights how special the setting of the race is:
Interested in finding a swim near you? You can use our advanced race search to look for swimming events in your area!