Lake Cumberland Masters Open Water Classic 2026

Held at the scenic Waitsboro Campground in Somerset, Kentucky , this will be the first ever open water swim held in Lake Cumberland! Swimmers will have the choice to swim a 3-km or a 1-km on a buoyed 1-km rectangular course.  The start will be a treading, in-water start.  The finish will be an overhead slapboard finish.  Timing chips will be used and worn on the wrist. Race Map Here (sorry...having trouble embedding images) Historical water temperatures are mid-to-low 70s in mid-October, so the expected temperature is ~74-75F.  USMS rules allow wetsuits if the water temperature is below 78.0F. Awards will be presented to male and female Top-3 Overall, as well as Top 3 in each age group in 10-year increments (18-29, 30-39, 40-49...). USMS Sanction ID: 416-W001.  All swimmers MUST be members of USMS. PARKING All parking will be at the Horse Soldier Distillery (501 Pisgah Church Road).  Shuttles will be provided to transport athletes to and from the race venue from Horse Soldier. CHECK-IN Check in for USMS swimmers will begin at 10:00a.  A warmup area to the right of the boat ramp will be available for warmup prior to the race.  The Kentucky Swimming State meet (for kids) will be happening on the course prior to the USMS swim.  Swimmers will be tattooed and chipped at check-in.  T-shirts will be available for pick-up at the iDesignables tent. SEATING/SPECTATORS Athletes are welcome to bring pop-up tents and seats.  Spectators may roam up and down Waitsboro Road to follow the action, but may not move down the boat ramp. BATHROOMS/CHANGING AREAS Port-o-potties will be on-site for restroom facilities.  Single-person pop-up changing tents will be adjacent for changing.  No deck changing will be permitted.