Registration is now open for the Great Ohio River Swim on August 25 to benefit the local nonprofit Adventure Crew

Cincinnati is home to the only open water swim across the Ohio River and back: the Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim. Registration for the event is now open but is limited to the first 250 participants.  

The Greater Ohio River Swim is a fundraiser for Adventure Crew, a local nonprofit that connects city teens with nature and each other through outdoor adventures. 

“We love seeing the growing excitement around the Great Ohio River Swim, with both recreational and competitive swimmers jumping at the chance to swim across the Ohio River and back in a safe setting,” says Miriam Wise, Adventure Crew’s director of support and engagement. “It’s such a fun way to raise funds for Adventure Crew’s mission: Connecting city teens with nature and each other.”  

The swim is named for Bill Keating, Jr., who was one of the first swimmers to sign up for the inaugural event in 2007, when he won the men’s swim but lost the overall title to his daughter, Caroline Keating, who is the event chair. Bill was a huge advocate for the swim until he lost his battle with brain cancer in 2017. 

“I started swimming in the inaugural Great Ohio River Swim alongside my father, and it soon became an annual tradition,” Keating says. “He was deeply passionate about swimming, our city and empowering youth. The Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim embodies his spirit, carrying forward his legacy. It’s a joyful celebration of the Ohio River while also supporting Adventure Crew’s mission, instilling a sense of adventure in city teens and nurturing their confidence.” 

The event measures approximately 900 meters, with participants starting at the Serpentine Wall in downtown Cincinnati. Then, participants will swim across the river to the Kentucky side and back, during which the river is closed to motorized traffic. 

There is an opportunity for those who want to go the extra mile. Titled “Double Dippers,” this small group of participants takes a 2.5-mile swim downstream along the Ohio shoreline before joining participants in the traditional course. Those who sign up as Double Dippers are encouraged to raise $200 for Adventure Crew. This part of the event requires interested swimmers to apply online and be accepted in order to participate.  

Check-in for the event opens at 7 am and there is a mandatory open water safety instruction session at 8 a.m. before the swim starts at 8:15 a.m. Double Dippers must be present by 6:15 a.m. to complete their 2.5-mile swim before the traditional swim. Registration for the event is limited to 250 participants. 

Registration is open on the event website.