The Skinny
Dates: April 12, 2025
Location: Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Beach, FL
Distances: .6 Miles, 1.2 Miles, 2.4 Miles
The 6th Annual DeLuna’s Open Water Swim is Northwest Florida’s only timed open water swim event. This event takes place in the protected calm waters of the Santa Rosa Sound behind Flounder’s Chowder House on Pensacola Beach. The swim features a .6, 1.2, and 2.4 miles swim.
As legend has it…. Don Tristan de Luna, a Spanish conquistador of the 16th century who led an ill-fated expedition to the Pensacola area in 1559, is credited as America’s first settlement. Pensacola is rich in history and sports. A scroll of de Luna’s was recently discovered in the sand of Pensacola Beach, outlining a competitive open water swim they were planning. Unfortunately, a hurricane changed the course of Pensacola’s history, wiping out the settlement, thus never allowing the swim to take place. Our event is an effort to continue what de Luna started.
(some facts stated above may be fictional)
This race is a stop on the Speedo SALT Series. Each swimmer who finishes the race will earn Age Group points towards the end-of-year Speedo SALT Series Overall Awards.
The Speedo SALT Series features races across the state and has become the premier open water swimming series in Florida. The series is on a mission to provide swimmers safe opportunities to swim and race in some of the country’s most beautiful destinations.
The Details
Registration
Registration Includes:
Event Welcome Gift
Race Entry
Swim Cap
Post-race hydration and snacks
Schedule of Events*
Friday, Apr 12, 2024
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Athlete check-in and packet pickup
Pensacola Beach Pavillion (Gulf Side)
Check-in is part of the Pensacola Beach Firefighters Challenge check-in party.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024
6:30 am to 7:30 am – Athlete check-in and packet pickup at Flounders
7:30 am – Swimmer Safety Meeting and Swimmer Check-In (Mandatory)
Every swimmer must check in before the race
7:00 am – Water opens for warm-up Open Water Swim
8:00 am – 2.4 Mile Swim Begins
8:10 am – 1.2 Mile Swim Begins
8:20 am – .6 Mile Swim Begins
10:30 am – Awards Ceremony at Flounders stage
* Timeline subject to change
Race Details
All swimmers will enter the water behind Flounders to the right of the pier. The finish line is in the same area.
Each course is an out-and-back.
Sprint (.6 miles): Must be 7 years or older
Short Swim (1.2 miles): Must be 9 years or older
Long Swim (2.4 miles): Must be 11 years or older
Award Categories
Overall Male .6 mile
Overall Female .6 mile
Overall Male 1.2 Miles
Overall Female 1.2 Miles
Overall Female 2.4 Miles
Overall Male 2.4 Miles
Top 3 Female and Male Awards in the following categories:
19 & under
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70 & up
Wetsuit Policy
The event will be wetsuit-legal if the water temperature is 78 or below. Water temperature will be posted and announced race morning. Regardless of wetsuit or not, there will not be seperate award categories.
Need to get started training? There are clubs, coaches, and training swims across the state of Florida. Check out FLORIDA OPEN WATER for more information.
