UPDATE 9/29/2024: Due to effects from hurricane Helene we have determined we can not safely have Swim The Suck this year and have to
canceled the event.
Heavy rain (19+ inches in some areas) has caused flood level flows that must be cascaded through the TVA system (from tributary rivers and streams to the main river). Water from those tributaries flows through the Chickamauga Dam (upstream of our start) on its way to the Ohio River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
We have been in contact with TVA's River Forecast Center and they expect flows in excess of 60,000 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) through next weekend. Typically we have flows of 20,000 CFS for this event and the weekly C.O.W.S. swim is not above 44,000 CFS. Our support craft and the kayaks/SUPs/Canoes would likely have a hard time staying with the swimmers in these flow rates.
Along with the high flows there is more debris being washed downstream and bacteria levels typically increase for various reason (flooded septic systems, unintended discharges from treatment systems, farm run-off, etc.).
We have thought about postponing the event, but presently there are two potentially named storms (hurricanes) forming that could impact the event as well next weekend.
It is for these reason that we have made the hard decision to cancel the event. We will be in contact with participants and they should see an email from the race director.
www.tva.com for updates on the TVA river system. They have a link to their X account on the main page with more updates.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Swim the Suck is a downstream 10 mile open water swimming race through the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. Non Wetsuit.
Swimmer Registration opens April 8, 2024 at Noon ET.
Pilot Registration opens April 15, 2024 at Noon ET.
The 14th Swim the Suck 10-mile open water swim through the Tennessee River Gorge hosted by the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S) will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Suck Creek Boat Launch at ~9:00 AM. Pre-swim briefing and pasta dinner will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 5:00 PM at Miller Plaza Pavillion. This is a US Masters Swimming sanctioned event.
FOR MORE INFO GO TO http://www.swimthesuck.com/
