Portland - a Fantastic Opportunity For Pros and Masters

The Midmar Mile in South Africa...the RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco...the Pagganck Mile in New York City...the Great Swim Series with the Great London Swim, the Great Scottish Swim, the Great North Swim and the Great East Swim...are now joined by the Portland Mile.


Downtown Portland, known as the greenest city in America, will host the new Aqua Zone Portland Mile on August 22nd. Aqua Zone Portland Mile will offer a US$25,000 purse to competitors. Pros and world-class masters are expected to compete with swimmers of all ages and abilities for a plethora of prizes.

Trent Grimsey, arguably the world's best short-distance ocean swimmer who won the 2008 Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the 2008 RCP Tiburon Mile, 2008 Eyeline 1000 Noosa Ocean Swim and the 2009 Australian 5K and 10K Open Water Swimming Championships, will attend.


"From what I have heard, Portland is an amazing city. A great place for an open water swim. I feel very honored to be taking part in this swim in its inaugural year. I am really looking forward to a good race and some tough competition."

Aqua Zone Portland Mile will have a 1-mile and half-mile races as part of the Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon weekend. The race will be held beneath Portland's signature downtown bridges in the Willamette River.

Spectators and media will be able to look down at the swimmers as they race along a rectangular course beneath the Hawthorne (shown on left) and Morrison Bridges.

The race will also be covered live by both SlowTwitch and Twitter.

To compete in the elite category, athletes must swim faster than 17:30 for 1500 meters or 1650 yards.

These athletes (both males and females with FINA-approved swimsuits) will be competing for a US$5,000 first prize, US$1,500 second prize and US$500 third prize.

In a truly exciting development for the sport, cash prizes will also be given to masters swimmers.

The first-place 13-19 year old (both male and female) will receive a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit.

The first-place 20-29 year old (both male and female) will receive US$400 and a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit. Second-place will receive US$100.

The first-place 30-39 year old (both male and female) will receive US$600 and a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit. Second-place will receive US$200; third-place will receive US$100.

The first-place 40-49 year old (both male and female) will receive US$600 and a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit. Second-place will receive US$200; third-place will receive US$100.

The first-place 50-59 year old (both male and female) will receive US$400 and a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit. Second-place will receive US$100.

The first-place 60+ year old (both male and female) will receive a Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit.

With such awards (up to US$390 for an Aqua Zone Renegade swimsuit), the cream of the masters open water swimmers are expected to show up and turn some heads with old-fashioned speed. Although only athletes with FINA-approved swimsuits are eligible for cash and prizes, those who simply wish to participate in a wetsuit or any other type of swimwear are also welcome.

Additionally, there is a special US$500 cash prize for the swimmer who is closest to their predicted time. In case of a tie, the oldest athlete wins.

The innovation and growth of the sport continues...to the benefit of the young and old alike.