Open Water Swims

These are all the swims for the 2021 open water season for Pacific Masters Swimming.

Last Update 06/29/2021

This page will be updated if a venue changes or a race is cancelled due to the water level or quality. Things may change due to Public Health restrictions, so check back often.

Pacific Masters is grateful for the hosts of these events. Hopefully, next year we will return to a full slate of Open Water events. Points will be awarded this year, but it is still undecided if there will be awards given.

The results of each open water race will be posted on the open water results page.

The Open Water Points competition has two divisions for the two different types of suits. Here is the link to the rule: swim suit rules. Please review them before leaving for the open water swim. Please also note that no tape (spider tapes, bandages, duct tape, etc…) is allowed in either category.

REMEMBER:

• Age Group determination: You will swim in the age group determined by your age as of December 31, 2021.
• Swim Suits: Category 1 Long suits are allowed for both men and women in Open Water but can not contain clasps or zippers.  The swimsuit shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles. USMS Rule 303.7.2

Only Open Water Points scored with Category One suits may count toward Swimmer of the Year.  For more details on the rules governing open water points see here.

Awards: Swimmers may receive special awards based on their place in their gender, age group, and category of their suit (1 or 2.) Typically 1st through 3rd places receive awards, but this can change. 

See the Individual Open Water Point Standings and Team Open Water Points Standings for 2021.

40th Annual Donner Lake Open Water Swim 

2.7 miles (SNM)

Date: Saturday, August 14, 2021

One of the longest swims of the season. The Donner Lake swim is a point-to-point 2.7-mile swim with expected water temperature of 65-68 degrees. Maximum number of swimmers allowed is 450. The race will start at 8:30 am. The course starts at the east end of the lake, near the Donner Memorial State Park, and finishes at the West End Beach. Swimmers are instructed to swim in the middle of the lake and are guided by volunteer kayaks patrolling the north and south perimeters of the swim course. The swim has a ​strictly enforced​ 2 1⁄2 hour cut off time. The official cut off time is 11:00 am.

Free shuttle buses run between the start and the finish. Swimmers are given a plastic bag at the start to hold their sweats. It will be transported to the finish for you. 

USMS Sanction:381-W001

Link to Event Information: https://www.usms.org/events/events/donner-lake-swim?ID=8996

[Register] 

Lake Del Valle

Sunday, September 11, 2021

2.5K and 5K  

The 2021 Del Valle Open Swim, nestled in the Livermore Valley Wine country, is tentatively set for Sunday September 11, 2021. These years races will include the 5K and 2.5K. There are clear cutoff times in the event info for both races.  Plenty of parking.  Because of Covid 19 restrictions, there may be limits on swimmers and spectators. Stay Tuned. This is a great place to bring the kids:  they have a roped off swimming area.

USMS Sanction 381-W002

The Link for USMS Registration is: https://www.teamunify.com/team/dvowf/page/home

Keller Cove – Pt Richmond, SF Bay 

Tentative Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021

½-mile, 1-mile, 2-miles

This is the final event of the OW season; last chance to pile up those points!  Only SF Bay swim on the calendar, in protected cove at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline.  1/2, 1 and 2-mile distances. We are running the 1/2-mile swim first, as a separate event. Then to be followed (one hour later) by the 1-mile and 2-mile events run concurrently as in past years. Masters swimmers have their choice of: ½-mile only; ½ + 1-mile; 1-mile only; or 2-mile only.   Expected water temp 62 to 66 degrees.  Start and finish on a sandy beach with sweeping views of The City, Golden Gate, Angel Island, Mt. Tam and more!    Hot shower on the beach!  Free parking.  Help us celebrate our 12^th Anniversary of this benefit swim --- and finish the 2021 OW season with a flourish! Because of Covid 19 restrictions, there may be limits on swimmers and spectators. Stay Tuned.

USMS Sanction TBD

[ information ]    [ register ] .