Up in the Alleghany Highlands, nestled into a canyon once called Kincaid Gorge, lies Gathright Dam. This massive earthen structure backs up the Jackson River for over 12 miles, forming Lake Moomaw. You are invited to go the distance on Saturday, August 1st at the Lake Moomaw 1-Mile Open Water Swim. Water temperatures are expected to be 76-79 degrees F and swimmers, starting at 18 years of age, are encouraged to participate! Awards will be given to the top 3 men & women finishers in each age group (arranged in 5 year increments). The awards ceremony will take place on the beach following the race and drinks and snacks will be provided.

“I’m swimming for the first time this year. I’m a little apprehensive about my first open water swim, but I’m very excited!” – Samantha S.

Visible to the spectators and race personnel, the race begins on the southern portion of the lake at Cole’s point. Participants will swim toward Gathright Dam and back. The course runs along the shore to the south, approximately 50 yards out and continues east and north around buoys that will be clearly visible. The swimmers will reach the turn-around point inside the “no wake zone” in the inlet and turn counter-clockwise around a buoy and swim back to the beach via the same route. Buoys will remain to the swimmer’s left. A 2×3 foot poster of the course diagram will be posted at the lake, and the current water and air temperature will be posted at 8am. Swimmers will depart from the beach in waves of 10 people or fewer, 1 minute apart, to prevent congestion. Warm-up begins at 7:45am; Check-in closes at 8:45am; and the race begins at 9am. Swimmers will be seeded fastest to slowest according to 1650 seed time and will be started in waves of 10 swimmers, staggered at 60-second intervals. “No Time” entries will be seeded in the final wave. Seeding changes and additions will not be allowed on race day.

“Very easy to get to, Lake Moomaw is worth a visit. They have fishing, boating, swimming and camping…” – BW

For safety reasons, participants who cannot complete 1 mile in one hour should NOT enter. Swimmers still on the course after the time limit will be stopped and listed DNF in the results. The WestVaco water rescue team will be on site with boats, rescue boards, and rescue squad.

All postal mail entries must be postmarked by July 24th. Online entries will close at 11:59pm Eastern Time on July 28th. To sign up online, visit usms.org and click upcoming events. All late or race day entries will NOT be accepted. Online entry is strongly encouraged. Entry fee is $40. To be guaranteed a free t-shirt, enter online by July 14th.

In the event of inclement weather, the race director may close the course and thereby prevent swimmers from completing the race.

– LBSPY #67. July 2015.