Dallas Open Water Swim

09.14.24

General Fundraising Requirements:

All swimmers are required to raise at least $500 by event day. Swimmers under 18 or current college undergrad students are required to raise $200 by event day.

WaveMaker Status: $1,000 minimum:

WaveMakers go above and beyond the call of duty by raising at least $1,000 regardless of your age. Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WaveMaker gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

Swim as an Individual, or on a Team

A person may elect to swim alone, or be part of a team. Many colleagues and college alumni will form teams, or teams may be formed in honor or memory of a loved one. All teams are inspirational and rewarding for all of us involved with Swim Across America. All team members are still required to meet the individual fundraising minimum of $500 (under 18 or current college undergrad student requires $200).

Angel Swimmers

For those who are hesitant about swimming in open water, we are happy to provide an “angel swimmer” to swim the course alongside you. Angel swimmers are experienced open water swimmers who encourage you, keep an eye on you and support you during your swim. If you think you may benefit from having an angel swimmer, please respond yes to the question presented in online registration. You may also reach out to us to answer any questions.

Distance Options:

• 0.5 Mile
• 1.0 Mile
• 2.0 Mile

Registration Self-Donation:

Swimmers will be asked to kickstart your fundraising and let your supporters know you are personally committed to the mission of SAA. The registration self-donation is a 100% tax deductible donation that will be will be credited towards each swimmer's fundraising minimum. The minimum self-donation amount will change as follows:

• Register before June 19 with a registration fee of $50
• Register between June 19 and August 27 with a registration fee of $75
• Register between August 28 and event day with a registration fee of $100

Online registration will close 48 hours prior to the swim! Event day registration may still be available if space permits.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

Wetsuits:

Online Wetsuit Purchase: Orca is an SAA wetsuit partner offering a 20% discount and entry to win a $500 gift card when you shop through our SAA Orca link.

2024 Swimmer Packet:

Please review the 2024 SWIMMER AND VOLUNTEER INFO PACKET before the event. It contains important information about the schedule, what to expect and what to bring.

Proceeds from the swim will support early detection and innovative clinical trials at the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center.

Read more about the projects we are funding in the latest impact report.

RESEARCH MILESTONE: Funds from our community swim support Dr. Ronan Kelly who leads the Texas Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) program. The program aims to intercept cancers earlier, when treatment may be more effective, and includes approximately 50,000 MCED tests being administered to patients across North Texas. The program has officially enrolled its first patients!

"This is a whole new era in which we can detect cancers even before a scan, giving us a chance to intercept cancer earlier than ever before," said Dr. Kelly.

What is SAA MY WAY?

SAA My Way is our virtual offering where you decide your activity and timeline. Register with a $50 self-donation and we’ll send you an SAA Swag Bag to show off your spirit. All donations raised for your My Way will support our SAA-Dallas event. Click here to learn about all the ways you can have fun your way!

To sign up as an SAA My Way participant for our event, click the register button above and select 'SAA My Way' as your participation type.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Swim Across America Family ensuring our event run smoothly from beginning to end. Even if you aren’t a swimmer, you can still help us in the fight against cancer. Don’t forget, volunteers can fundraise too if they want! Ready to volunteer with us? Click on the Register button and select the Volunteer participation type.

Land Volunteers

Land Volunteers staff all aspects of our event on land. You can anticipate helping with set up, swimmer check-in, finish line support, hospitality and post-swim events/clean up.

Water Volunteers

Water volunteers consist of kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and power boaters that provide crucial logistical and safety support to our event officials and for our swimmers. They will monitor the swim lane, keep an active eye on all our swimmers and communicate any swimmer issues to our event officials.

Angel Swimmers

Angel Swimmers are experienced open water swimmers who are willing to accompany a nervous swimmer throughout the course. Angel swimmers must be able to swim all distances and help out if the swimmer needs. To register as an angel swimmer, choose “volunteer” and then select Angel Swimmer. The local planning team will have final approval of angel swimmers.

Questions about volunteering? Check out our SAA Volunteer Page or contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

If this is your first time participating or if you just need some tips to be a better fundraiser, click here. It will walk you through the participant center and teach you how to email donors, share on social media sites and download the fundraising app. You can find more helpful resources on our fundraising resources page.

NEW! Watch these instructional videos to learn how to register, update your participant center, connect to Facebook and more!

Be a WaveMaker by taking your fundraising to the next level and raising $1000! Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WM gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

You may support the swimmer of your choice by making an online donation. Or you may send a check, payable to Swim Across America, to the address below:

Swim Across America
8508 Park Rd. #389
Charlotte, NC 28210

Make sure to include a note with Dallas and the name of the swimmer you are donating to.

SAA Safety & Policies:

Participant safety is the most important component of all our events. All swimmers will be asked to follow specific safety procedures and policies to participate, as well as comply with SAA safety personnel, including local and government entities, Lifeguards, and water safety volunteers. Participants are responsible for adequately preparing for their registered event. We ask that all participants review the information packet provided in advance of event day, as well as attend the day-of safety briefing for important safety information.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

If you have questions about our policies regarding inclement weather, swim equipment or wetsuits, please consult our Policies page.

Schedule is tentative and subject to change

7:30-8:15 am: Registration

8:00 am: Mandatory Water Safety Meeting

8:15 am: Welcome & Olympian Introductions

8:20 am: Awards and Check Presentation

8:35 am: Why I Swim Testimonials

8:40 am: Mandatory Safety Meeting

8:50 am: Group Photo and River Rock Toss

9:00 am: Swims start based on distance.

9:30 am: Breakfast Opens

Swim Course

There will be 1/2 mile, 1 mile, and 2.0 mile options.

All swimmers will wear a timing chip on their ankle, regardless of what course option they choose.

Venue

Transportation and Parking:

If you are driving to the swim on Saturday in the morning, there is parking available at 2074 Summer Lee Drive. Parking flag/attendants will direct you where to park.

Directions:

From Downtown Dallas:
Take I-30 East to Rockwall and exit Horizon Road. Turn right on Horizon Road and right on Summer Lee Drive. Follow Summer Lee Drive to the lakefront.

From DFW Airport:
Exit the north entrance of the airport to I-635 approximately to I-30 East. Take I-30 East to Rockwall and exit Horizon Road. Turn right on Horizon Road and right on Summer Lee Drive. Follow Summer Lee Drive to the lakefront.

From Love Field:
Exit left out of the airport and follow Mockingbird Lane to the Dallas North Tollway. Head North on the Toll Way to I-635 approximately to I-30 East. Take I-30 East to Rockwall and exit Horizon Road. Turn right on Horizon Road and right on Summer Lee Drive. Follow Summer Lee Drive to the lakefront.

Places to Stay:

The following hotels are centrally-located for swimmers attending this event:

Springhill Suites by Marriott Dallas/Rockwall
(469) 267-6535

Hilton Dallas/ Rockwall Lake Front
(214) 771-3700

Hampton Inn Dallas - Rockwall
(469) 698-9494

Texas 7-Eleven FOA Golf Tournament

Cowboys Golf Club
2024 Date: TBD

Join the Texas 7-Eleven FOA Golf Tournament to raise funds in support of Swim Across America. Single golfers may participate for $200. Groups of four may participate for $700. Registration includes access to golf in the tournament, breakfast, snacks and lunch. All proceeds will benefit Swim Across America and the Charles A Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor.

TCU Pool Swim

TBD

Interested in being an SAA-Dallas Partner?

If you'd like to learn more about partnership opportunities, please review the SAA-Dallas Partnership Guide or email Ryan Berube.

IN THE NEWS

Here are some recent stories that display the impact all the members of the Swim Across America family have had in the Dallas community.