EAST COAST OPEN WATER FESTIVAL
Date and time
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location
1235 State Park Rd, Huddleston, VA
Date and time
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location
1235 State Park Rd, Huddleston, VA
Date and time
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location
1235 State Park Rd, Huddleston, VA
Dates: September 26-27, 2026
GPS Address: Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, 24104
Start/Finish: Continue past guard station to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park Pavilion. The start/finish is located on the beach behind the pavilion. Please see the venue map in the section below.
Parking: Please note that there is a $7 parking fee, which covers both days into the park. Participants are encouraged to pre-pay for parking upon registration for a discounted price of $5 or anyone (competing or not) is able to purchase a standalone pass within the registration store. Anyone who pre-pays for parking will be put on the pre-paid list at the guard shack.
Time of first event: Saturday, 10 am, Sunday, 11 am
Course: The racecourse will consist of a mile loop marked with large colored buoys. There will be an in water start at the start/finish line. Finish Banner marks finish line. A video based timing system will be used.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, Sept 26th
5K Swim Race –Open to All Ages Registration 9:00 am to 9:45 am Race Starts at 10:00 am
One Mile Splash / One Mile Dash – Open to All Ages Registration 10:45 am to 11:30 am Race Starts at 12:00 pm (noon)
The Great Knockout -Open to All Ages Registration 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm Race Starts at 1:00 pm
Sunday, Sept 27th
Half Mile Race –Open to 9 & Under Registration 10:00 am to 10:45 am Race Starts at 11:00 am
One Mile Race -Open to All Ages Registration 10:30 am to 11:15 am Race Starts at 11:30 am
Half Mile Splash / Half Mile Dash –Open to All Ages Registration 11:30 pm to 12:15 pm Race Starts at 12:30 pm
Registration Options
Individuals are encouraged to use this page for registration. You are permitted to register multiple participants under the same transaction.
Teams can request a coupon code, which would permit either individuals on a team to register without having to pay at that time or a coach can enter all of their athletes and then be sent a single invoice or the entry fee would be payable at check-in. Large Teams can request a preformatted spreadsheet to complete their entries. This option would bypass the online platform and allow for a team leader to enter all information on the spreadsheet. Please contact the meet director if you are interested in this option.
Registration Fees Fee for one individual event...........................................$ 85.00 Two Events ....................................................................$100.00 Three Events..................................................................$110.00 (Fees include registration: swim cap, and event T-Shirt)
*** Note: discount applied at check-out. You must register for multiple events during the same transaction in order to receive the discount.
Awards:
5K Open Water Swim Winners: Top Male and Female: Backpacks and Plaques. All Other Events will be Awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Plaques
Age Divisions:
1/2 Mile: 9 & Under Only 1 Mile: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 & Over 5K: 11 & Under, 12-13, 14-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 & Over Half Mile Splash / Half Mile Dash: 9 & Under, 10-11, 12-13, 14-17, 18 & Over One Mile Splash / One Mile Dash: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30 & Over The Great Knockout: 1,500, 1,000, 500 with a 15-minute break between and after the 1,500, we will drop down to 20 swimmers, after the 1,000, we will drop down to 10 swimmers.
Note: Age on September 26th, 2026 will determine age for the entire meet.
Volunteering
Anyone wishing to help with registration check-in, body marking, on the water drink station, event check-in, water safety personnel or first aid station, please contact Doug Fonder at DougFonder@gmail.com
5K
2.0 mi
1.9 mi
805 m
1 mile