We'd like to give a special thank you to our volunteers, organizing committee, local community, and partners for all the work to prepare a memorable championship event. We look forward to seeing everyone next week in Sarasota!

Visit the 2026 USMS Open Water Nationals page and carefully review all details to ensure a wonderful experience.

First step: all swimmers must complete this form and waiver by Tuesday, March 31.

COMPLETE FORM

Chat and Cheer with the USA Swimming Foundation

The USA Swimming Foundation invites all swimmers and guests to a sunset social on Friday, April 3 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm. Spectators can utilize this VIP viewing area during the race and swimmers can join afterwards to enjoy food, drink, and camaraderie with your fellow swimmers.

This social includes a food and drink ticket. Cost is only $30 for guests and FREE for swimmers who register by Tuesday, March 31 using code USMS1.

USA Swimming Open Water National Team members and alumni including Joey Tepper and Brennan Gravley will be in attendance. Awards will also be presented in this area post-race.

Updates and Reminders

All swimmers will need to check-in at Benderson Park before the 1-mile on Friday and 5K on Saturday to pick up their timing chips and race caps. Swimmers in both races will need to check-in both days.
Here is the course map. The 1-mile will be one loop and the 5K will be three loops.
There will a mandatory safety briefing near the rowing tower (five story building) at 4:30 pm on Friday and 12:30 pm on Saturday.
All swimmers will enter and exit the water through a chute on the beach adjacent to the tower.
Swimmers will gather near the tower with one of four assigned groups and be sent off in waves several minutes apart with an in water start.
Swimmers will exit the water and finish through an inflatable arch on the beach (this is different than the 2025 in water finish).
Access to the lake before and after each race will be very limited. Please plan accordingly.
Current USMS Rules will govern this event. See part 3 of the USMS Rule Book for details.
Spectators are welcome for the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships. Cheer on the best open water swimmers in the country! See more details here.

Timeline

USMS Sprint-Distance Open Water Nationals (1-mile) on Friday, April 3

3:00-4:15 pm: athlete on-site registration
4:30 pm: mandatory safety meeting
5:00 pm: first wave starts

USMS Long-Distance Open Water Nationals (5K) on Saturday, April 4

11:00-12:15 am: athlete on-site registration
12:30 pm: mandatory safety meeting
1:00 pm: first wave starts

What's Your Story?

Did you overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to compete? Do you have a great backstory about why you decided to sign up? We're looking to tell the stories of our participants for our coverage of the event. It doesn't matter if this is your first open water race or 50th, if you have a good story, we'd like to talk to you. Please email the Publications team.

Email Us