— TRADE YOUR SKEPTICISM FOR A SWIMSUIT ON SEPTEMBER 22
LET'S SWIM THE CHICAGO RIVER!
Celebrate the Chicago River's remarkable environmental turnaround by applying to the first organized swim in nearly a century. The Chicago River Swim will offer athletes a once-in-a-lifetime experience to swim among the city's famous skyscrapers and under its iconic bridges. This is truly history in the making. Apply today!
-- THE FIRST QUESTION:
WHY?
Three reasons: First, this event is founded by A Long Swim, which raises critical funds for ALS research. Second, as lifelong swimmers, we want to provide 2,000 at-risk youth opportunities to learn the life skill of swimming. Third, as proud Chicagoans, we want to boldly showcase our city's growth and change a few of its misperceptions. We think Daniel Burnham would approve.
-- THE NEXT QUESTION:
HOW?
Very carefully. As you might imagine, an incredible amount of planning is required to safely get swimmers in and out of the Chicago River. Robust water quality and safety plans have been established with several agencies, and participants must have previous open water experience. Learn all about our planning, the experience to come and the application process to claim one of very few spots.
— 100 YEARS AGO
RIVER SWIMS WERE THE BEES KNEES
The Chicago River's flow was reversed nearly 125 years ago to draw fresh water from Lake Michigan and clean a polluted river.
To celebrate the waterway's drastic turnaround, the Illinois Athletic Association began hosting a series of open water swims back in 1908.
The river swims attracted the highest-profile swimmers in the world, and more than 100,000 spectators lined the shore. The Chicago River Swims were a jewel in the crown of our young, vibrant city.
River Swim History