Our 31st annualLong Bridge Swim is coming right up! We once again look forward to a terrific 1.76-mile swim across beautiful Lake Pend Oreille - one of the premier open water swims in the Pacific Northwest!
Always held the first Saturday in August, the next swim is set for August 1, 2026. Even better, guess what? You can sign up right now!
Simiply click to register now! We invite all swimmers everywhere to come share this special annual event crossing magnificent Lake Pend Oreille.
Keep reading below, and check the other pages, to learn more.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON THE PEDESTRIAN LONG BRIDGE
Unfortunately, there's a big change this year for spectators. The Idaho Transportation Department has closed access to the pedestrian Long Bridge that spectators normally use to follow swimmers, due to structural deterioration affecting critical parts of the bridge. There is no concern for the vehicular Long Bridge, as these are two separate structures. But closure of the pedestrian bridge means spectator viewing will now be limited to the approximate half mile of bike path at the north end the bridge. This area is likely to be very congested, and we hope everyone will bring their best Long Bridge Swimming Community energy and be courteous in looking out for each other.
Note: It is possible for pedestrian spectators to get across the vehicular Long Bridge via the free SPOT bus. This new shuttle bus crosses each half hour both directions; for schedule and more information, click to spotbus.org.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS FOR OUR 2025 SWIM
Here's the rundown for all swimmers participating in our 2026 swim.
Due to safety concerns we will be strictly enforcing our 2.5 hour time limit to complete the swim. Our policy is that all swimmers must be out of the water at 2.5 hours after the last swimmer has entered the water. Our safety coordinator, Donnavan will be the last swimmer in the water and he will keep track of the time. Please be understanding that even if you are very close to finishing, we have to clear the course within the 2.5 hours after the last swimmer enters the water. Thank you for your understanding!
RACE DAY DETAILS AND SCHEDULE
Early packet pickup is Friday, July 31, 2026 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Avenue.
Race Day packet pickup is Saturday, August 1, 2025 6:30-7:30 a.m. at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Avenue. Note that at 6:30, there is usually no line but by 7:15, the line gets considerably longer. Please plan accordingly! All swimmers must be registered, checked in, body marked, have their uniquely numbered timing chip and swim cap, and be ready for the mandatory safety meeting at 8 a.m. Our volunteers are swimmers too, so please be considerate and arrive early!
The 8 a.m. mandatory safety meeting is on the grassy quad of the high school.
Immediately after the mandatory safety meeting, we will load the buses to shuttle to the start. Water-start swimmers only will load the first seven busses. Land-start swimmers will load the remainder of the buses.
We are aiming for a 9 a.m. start time and you can help us! After arrival at the start you will walk single-file down the ramp to enter the water; we know the water is cold, but you will need to quickly enter the water and move out of the way to allow the swimmers behind you to enter. The quicker we get all the water-start swimmers into water, the quicker we can start the Long Bridge Swim!
Last year, our 30th anniversary, was a banner year for the Long Bridge Swim, with 844 swimmers starting the swim and a whoppin' 838 finishing. For the record: Those are the biggest numbers ever!
Want to see the official results from our 2025 swim? Click for the 2025 results (plus the previous five swims) at our Swim Results page.
And to see the history of the whole 30 years of Long Bridge Swims - including the top 10 all-time results for men and women - click to our Race Results page.
HERE'S MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SWIM
If you are not acquainted, our annual Long Bridge Swim is held the first Saturday in August. Located in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, this 1.76-mile swim across Lake Pend Oreille is one of the Northwest's premier open-water events. Because it parallels the namesake Long Bridge into Sandpoint, it offers the unique chance for friends and family of swimmers to follow along the swim course from the bridge.
And now, get registered for our 2026 swim! Here's that date again: Saturday, August 1, 2026. If you know you're gonna swim ... why wait? Click to register now.
The 2026 event will be our 31st annual swim! We hope to see you in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho.
Keokee of Sandpoint, Idaho