Bussell Island Swim

Join us for 3 different swim distances: 1-mile, 2.6-km and 5.2-km.  The event is pending sanctioning by both US Masters Swimming (USMS) and USA Swimming. Participants must be at least 11 year of age as of 31 December 2024 and members in good standing of either USMS or USA Swimming.

Tucked in the hills of beautiful East Tennessee, Bussell Island is located in the gentle waters of the Little Tennessee River. Originally inhabited by various Native American Cultures, the island is believed to be the location of the capital Coste - a Missippian Period chieftom visited by the famous explorer, Henry DeSoto. Fast forward 1,500+ years and Bussell Island is now how home to a beautiful riverfront park with boating access, nature trails, a small sand beach, and a historic preserve. With its calm waters, Bussell Island is the perfect setting to host an open water swim race for swimmers of all abilities. 

Born in 2024, The Bussell Island Swim is the brainchild of Knoxville Open Water Swimmer’s directors, Lana Burl and Phil Donihe. After visiting and swimming Bussell Island informally for years, it became the obvious choice to host Knoxville’s newest open water swim race.