NC Open Water Championship History

The NC Open Water Championship was first contested in 1998, originally named the Sandhills Sandsharks Open Water Swim. With great support from the NC Swimming Board of Directors, this race has grown from 47 swimmers in the first year to over 400 competitors in 2007. Open Water swimming has become a widely recognized international sport. In the summer of 2008 in Beijing, the first Olympic 10K Open Water gold medals will be awarded. To compete at this distance truly requires incredible endurance and athleticism.

The Sandhills, known for hosting golf’s prestigious US Open’s in 1999 and 2005, is also an idea location for an Open Water event. The area has a great deal of clean fresh water lakes in the surrounding area. Hotel and restaurants in the Sandhills are plentiful and supportive of the area’s sporting events.

The NC Open Water Championship has had some of the best open water swimmers in the world participate since its inception. Champions have included Chip Peterson, 2008 member of the USA Olympic Open Water Team, and Olympic bronze medalist and former American 1500 meter free record holder, Chris Thompson.

In 2007, the NC Open Water Championship was selected with 10 other races in the country as a United States Swimming Grand Prix Open Water Qualifier. The top two swimmers in men’s and women’s 10K events received invitations to the Grand Prix race in Indianapolis.

The upcoming race in June 2008 expects to attract many competitors from age group swimmers to Masters and triathletes. With vendors and supporters lining the dam in Seven Lakes, this year’s race days expect to be as exciting for the spectators as they are for the swimmers!