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Hell or High Water Swim 2026

10 miles, Catawba River, NC

HELL OR HIGH WATER 10 MILE SWIM

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026

RACE START: MT HOLLY BOAT LANDING. 724 ELM AVE, MT HOLLY, NC

RACE FINISH: SOUTHPOINT BOAT LAUNCH, 175 BOAT LAUNCH RD, BELMONT, NC

MASS START 7:00 AM | EARLY START 6:30 AM


PRE-RACE MEETING AND CHECK-IN

Please plan to attend the pre-race packet pickup/athlete meeting on Friday, June 5 at 4 p.m. at the Mt. Holly Municipal Complex at 420 E. Central Ave., Mt. Holly, NC.

Prior to the meeting, you are encouraged to tour the Mt. Holly Historical Society Museum housed in the same complex! Our partners at the historical society have been kind enough to host participants to tour the museum, which has information on the town and the Great Flood of 1916 for which the swim is named after.

Athletes will receive their swimmer numbers and all race instructions at this time.


RACE LOCATION AND PARKING

  • RACE START and PARKING: Mt Holly Boat Landing, 724 Elm Ave, Mt Holly, NC
  • MIDWAY / CUT OFF POINT: Kevin Loftin Park US 74 Ramp, 7308 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont, NC
  • RACE FINISH: Southpoint Boat Launch, 175 Boat Launch Rd, Belmont, NC


  • RESTROOMS: There are public portajons available at the midway point.
    • Kevin Loftin Park US 74 Ramp, 7308 Wilkinson Blvd. SWIMMERS, please allow your kayakers to take a quick bathroom break at this point if needed. A buoy will be placed in the water near the boat ramp.


RACE DAY CHECK IN & BODY MARKING

Please go to the body marking station at the swim start upon arrival. All swimmers will have their racer number marked on their arm and calf before entering the water. You personal kayaker will be given a card with your swimmer number to show to race officials at the check in point and the finish line.


START TIME

RACE STARTS AT 7:00 AM.

However swimmers who expect to need more time are invited to start at 6:30 AM in order to keep all swimmers closer together on the course. YOU MUST NOTIFY THE RACE STAFF BY MAY 15, 2026 IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE EARLY START OPTION. AFTER MAY 9, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE KAYAKERS FOR EARLY STARTERS.


BAG DROP

This is a point-to-point race. All swimmers can bring a bag with post-race needs (food, shoes, towels, etc) to the start line. Please pick up a bag tag at the body marking station and write your racer number on it, and attach it to your bag. We will transport your bag to the finish line.


COURSE

This is a point-to-point, downstream swim. Swimmers will stay river right and between 10 and 50 yards from shore the entire swim.

You will be swimming downstream in a relatively narrow river that is 1/4 mile wide or narrower for much of the race. There will be a well-marked check-in boat at 4.5 miles and a buoy to mark the finish.

All swimmers must reach the 4.5 mile check in boat by 9:30 am (2.5 hours after the race start). Swimmers who do not make the 2.5 hour cut off time will be disqualified.


CONDITIONS

Water temperature is expected to be around 76-78 degrees. Wetsuits are not allowed for this race. Current will likely be minimal. The Catawba River is an inland, freshwater river. The swim is downstream.


RULES

Electronic timing devices ARE permitted this year.

Swim buoys ARE allowed.

Wetsuits are NOT allowed.

Swimmers are allowed to stop and rest at their kayaks, as long as the kayak is not making any forward progress while the swimmer is in contact with the kayak.

Swimmers may receive aid (food/drink) from the kayaker as long as the kayak is not making any forward progress while the swimmer is in contact with the kayak.


TIME LIMIT

All swimmers must pass a check-in boat at 4.5 miles by 9:30 AM.

Swimmers who do not pass the check-in boat by that time will exit the event at the public boat ramp at Kevin Loftin Park US 74 Ramp, 7308 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont, NC. Race staff will transport you back to the start or finish line (whichever you prefer).


KAYAK ESCORTS

All swimmers must have an individual kayak escort. If you have arranged for your own kayak escort, please share all pertinent race information with them.

If we are providing a kayak escort for you, you will be connected via email with them prior to the race.

If we are providing a kayak, it will be waiting for you at the start line.


FINISH LINE, TIMING & EXITING THE RACE COURSE

The race finishes at Southpoint Boat Launch, 175 Boat Launch Rd, Belmont, NC.

When you reach the finish, there are bathrooms and changing rooms available. If you left a bag at bag drop, it will be waiting for you at the finish.


GETTING BACK TO THE PARKING AREA

Shuttles will be provided back to the start/parking area. Shuttles will depart approximately every 30 minutes to transport swimmers from the finish back to the start. Swimmers are also welcome to arrange their own transportation.


SPECTATORS

As with any marathon swim, spectating can be a challenge. However, this course offers a great sendoff, midway and finish spot to observe.

  • Start line / Sendoff: 724 Elm Ave., Mt. Holly, NC
  • Midway point: Kevin Loftin Park US 74 Ramp, 7308 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont, NC
  • Finish: Southpoint Boat Launch, 175 Boat Launch Rd, Belmont, NC

At the Finish line, spectators can enjoy the beautiful Southpoint Boat Launch, with restrooms, playgrounds, public swimming area, picnic shelters and amazing views of the river! Tell your friends and family members to bring a picnic and make a day of it - we promise the Southpoint Boat Launch will not disappoint!


POST RACE

FOOD: Light snacks will be provided at the finish line. Please feel free to pack food and leave it in bag drop.

AWARDS: Awards will be presented to top 3 Male and Female finishers.


WEATHER POLICIES

The race will go on rain or shine.

In the event of inclement weather such as thunderstorms, or weather that compromises the safety of the swimmers, the race start will be postponed by up to 2 hours. If the race still cannot be conducted at that time, the race will be cancelled. There are no refunds for the race, but race fees may be deferred to next year, or applied to other races in the Charlotte Open Water Swim Series.

If inclement weather occurs DURING the swim, all swimmers and kayakers should report to the closest shore point. If necessary, a boat will come by to pick you up if the race cannot continue.

There are no refunds for this race. Consider purchasing refund protection with your registration.


QUESTIONS?

Call or text Race Director Doug Miller at 704-737-4011 or email coach@millerswimming.com



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