The swim takes place in the Ohio River. All race distances are point-to-point swim courses. Olympic and Sprint racers start at RIverPark Place Marina. Super Sprint races start at the Community Boat Dock next to the Louisville Community Boathouse. Olympic athletes swim around Towhead Island. Super Sprint and Sprint athletes swim down the Towhead Island canal. All distances exit just before the Big Four Bridge. 

The swim will be conducted in a time-trial fashion with a racer entering the water approximately every 3 to 5 seconds. Athletes will line up in race-number order, from lowest to highest. You are allowed to move back in line, but you may not move forward in line.

Water support - including kayaks, paddleboards, and/or boats - will be availalbe throughout the course if you need assistance.

Course buoys help guide you along the correct route.

Use the US Masters Swimming pace chart as a guide as needed.

Wetsuit usage is governed under USAT Rules Section 3.4.1

Permitted: 60.7°F - 78°F (16°C - 25.5°C)
Mandatory: 60.6°F and below (15.9°C and below)
Allowed*: 78.1°F - 84°F (25.6°C - 28.8°C)
Prohibited: 84.1°F and above (28.9°C and above)

*Athletes who choose to wear a wetsuit in a competitive non-National Age-Group race or wave when the water temperature is at or above 78.0F are not eligible to have their results submitted for rankings or Age-Group awards.