Bill Keating Jr Great Ohio River Swim

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Bill Keating Jr Great Ohio River Swim

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Join us for our annual swim across the Ohio and back to support the work of Adventure Crew. When we started the Great Ohio River swim in 2007, Bill Keating Jr.

The Great Ohio River Swim is the only open water swim on the Ohio River to cross the river and back. Start at the Serpentine Wall and swim across the Ohio River to Kentucky. Once you have reached Kentucky come back across the Ohio River to Public Landing in the heart of Cincinnati! was one of the first to sign up. The first year of the swim Bill won the male swim, but lost the overall title to his daughter, Caroline. Three of his kids and his father swam across the river with Bill over the years. Bill was a big supporter of the swim and throughout the years talked others into joining him the swim across the river. In March of 2017, Bill lost his battle with brain cancer and now we dedicate the river swim to him.

09/10/2026

Great Ohio River Swim 2026 CANCELED.
🏊👎
We're so disappointed to have to share that, after careful consideration, we've made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim because of unsafe river conditions.

Because this Sunday, September 13 was our scheduled make-up date—moved from our original date of August 30 due to unsafe river conditions at that time—we aren't able to postpone to a future date.

In advance of the Swim, we evaluate river stage, velocity, presence of debris, algae, bacteria and ambient weather. If river conditions do not meet our safety standards, we postpone the event. The Ohio River's velocity is currently at 1 mph, and based on current data, we expect it to be in excess of 2 mph by Sunday.

"The river current, which is typically around 0.5 mph for our swim, is currently running significantly faster and is only expected to increase, making it unsafe for swimmers to cross the river," said Event Chair Caroline Keating.

Additionally, today's rainfall and the additional precipitation predicted over the next two days have the potential to raise bacteria levels in the water beyond what is safe for full-body contact.

"Our number one priority is making sure this event is safe for every swimmer who joins us," Keating said. "Like you, we have been excitedly looking forward to Sunday, and we know you're as disappointed as we are by the cancelation. It was a tough call, but ultimately the right one."

All swimmers who were registered for this year's event will receive a free code for next year's Swim once registration opens next spring. Save the date for Sunday, August 29, 2027 (backup date: Sunday, September 12, 2027)!

We'd still love to see you Sunday -- just because we can't swim doesn't mean we can't hang! Stop by the Adventure Crew office (1008 Marshall Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45225; free parking available) on Sunday morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to pick up your T-shirt (the design is below, at left), have a cup of coffee and some carbs, and commiserate about the river's unwillingness to cooperate with our plans. The first 40 "finishers" (read: Registered swimmers to arrive at our office) can take home one of our 2026 medals, which double as fun ornaments or decorations.

If you live out of town and will no longer be in Cincinnati on Sunday, please fill out this form -- https://bit.ly/OhioRiverSwim2026ShirtRequest -- if you'd like us to mail your shirt. Requests must be made no later than Sunday, September 20.

We hope to see you Sunday morning!

09/02/2026

Don't miss the mark!
📣🏊
Attention swimmers: This year's Great Ohio River Swim is more than 90 percent sold out! Only about 25 spots remain for the event, which was rescheduled to Sunday, September 13.

End the summer on a high note by joining us for this 900-meter swim, the largest open water swim across the Ohio River and back. Register at www.greatohioriverswim.com while you still can!

08/26/2026

Great Ohio River Swim POSTPONED.
🏊🏾📣
After careful consideration, organizers have made the difficult decision to postpone the Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim, originally scheduled for this Sunday, August 30, to our scheduled make-up date of Sunday, September 13.

In advance of the Swim, we evaluate river stage, velocity, presence of debris, algae, bacteria and ambient weather. If river conditions do not meet our safety standards, we postpone the event. Based on current data, we expect the Ohio River's velocity to be in excess of 1 mph this Sunday.

"The river current, which is typically around 0.5 mph for our swim, is currently running significantly faster and is not expected to return to a level we feel is safe for swimmers to cross the river this weekend," said Event Chair Caroline Keating. "My number one priority is making sure this event is not only fun and memorable, but most importantly, safe for every swimmer who joins us. We know many of you have been training and looking forward to Sunday, which made this a tough call, but ultimately the right one."

"We are incredibly grateful for your support, flexibility and enthusiasm for this special Cincinnati tradition," she added. "Now we’ll turn our attention to September 13 and hope Mother Nature cooperates so we can all enjoy a safe and beautiful swim across the Ohio River in a few weeks. Thank you for understanding, and we can’t wait to see you on the river!"

If you've registered for the Swim but can't make the reschedule date, you can transfer your registration to another swimmer by emailing [email protected].

08/14/2026

Have you signed up for the 2026 Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim? We're just a little over two weeks away from the largest open water swim across the Ohio River and back! Join us for this fun event on Sunday, August 30.

Registration fees are $50 for adults; $30 for youth. The Swim is limited to the first 275 participants. Last year's event sold out, so don't wait to sign up! Find more details and register at www.greatohioriverswim.com/

06/10/2026

Take your mark: Registration is OPEN!
🏊🏾📣
Registration for the 2026 Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim is now open! We're thrilled to invite you to join us for this 900-meter swim, the largest open water swim across the Ohio River and back, on Sunday, August 30.

Registration fees are $50 for adults; $30 for youth. The Swim is limited to the first 275 participants. Last year's event sold out, so don't wait to sign up! Visit greatohioriverswim.com for details and to register.

04/03/2026

Funds from the Great Ohio River Swim help support this important program at ADVENTURE CREW!

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Cincinnati, OH

Website

https://www.greatohioriverswim.com/

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