Boca Raton · South FloridaOne LegendaryWeekend
Salt, sun, and sunrise starts on the open water.
Live Boca Raton sky · scroll to dive in
The Start Gun
Sunrise over Boca, and we go.
Counting down to the sunrise start at Tradewinds Park, Saturday February 13, 2027.
About the Weekend
Elite international racing, brought home to South Florida.
Two days of open water across South Florida’s finest venues. Fresh water on Saturday, the Atlantic on Sunday. Built for first-timers and Olympians alike.
World First in USA
The first 3K Knockout ever held in the USA. World Aquatics’ newest and most exciting open water format.
Two Days, Two Venues
Fresh water Saturday at Tradewinds Park, then salt water Sunday on the Atlantic. Two distinct challenges in one weekend.
Every Age in the Water
USA Swimming youth groups and Adult divisions in ten-year increments. From first-timers to seasoned open water swimmers.
The Mission
We are building the greatest open water event in the world.
The Sid Cassidy Open Water Weekend is built to be the road to the Olympic Games, a proving ground for the next generation of world and Olympic champions, led by the man who helped build Olympic open water itself.
A world first
The first 3K Knockout ever held in the USA. We race at the frontier of the sport, not in its wake.
Championship water
Fresh water and the Atlantic, two venues in a single weekend. A complete test of an open water swimmer.
The Olympic road
Built to develop and produce the swimmers who reach the world stage, and the Games.
Inaugural Weekend
The first annual, in the water.
In February 2026, swimmers from across the country took on South Florida’s fresh and salt water in the first 3K Knockout ever held in the USA.
On Saturday night, everyone came together for “Stories With Sid,” live with Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett.
The Winners Circle
The first champions, crowned.
The Sea Tiger 3K Knockout was the first ever held in the USA. Two swimmers rose to the top of that world-first field at Tradewinds Park.
3K Knockout ChampionKazakhstan National Team. He came in seasoned, having raced the Knockout at its World Championship debut in Singapore.
3K Knockout ChampionA World Championships silver medalist in the format. In the combined-gender final she out-sprinted every man but Lev.
The final sprint
All genders, one finish chute.
Organizers combined the field for the run home, and the women swam straight into the fight.
- 1Lev CherepanovChampion5:53.1
- 2Brinkleigh HansenWomen's winner5:58.3
- 3Maximiliano Paccot6:01.6
- 4Becca Mann6:03.3
- 5Sawyer Hansen6:07.1
Brinkleigh Hansen finished second overall, ahead of every man but champion Lev Cherepanov, with veteran Becca Mann right on her feet.
Every age-group champion
Speedo Metric Mile
1.5K · Saturday- Boys 12 & underIsen Wolfe19:57.5
- Boys 13–14Nicolas La Rosa19:10.4
- Girls 13–14Ansley Bess18:12.9
- Men 40–49Bruno Bueno27:44.7
- Men 60–69John Hogan28:10.0
- Men 70 & overJohn Peck48:19.0
- Women 30–39Meaghan Suhich28:18.7
- Women 40–49Stephanie Gibson20:07.1
Sea Tiger 3K Knockout
3K · Saturday- Men / OverallLev Cherepanov5:53.1
- WomenBrinkleigh Hansen5:58.3
5 Kilometer Challenge
5K · Sunday- Boys 14 & underLuke Reid1:01:43
- Men 15–16Simon Sheinfeld1:05:30
- Men 50–59Erik Bell1:21:18
- Men 60–69Chip Green1:22:17
- Girls 14 & underGrace Weeks1:07:11
- Women 15–16Erin Reid1:10:50
- Women 20–29Becca Mann1:01:26
- Women 30–39Annabelle Laurin1:22:46
- Women 40–49Stephanie Gibson1:16:14
One Kilometer Encounter
1K · Sunday- Boys 13–14Ben Brenner12:46.2
- Men 15–18Reef Plasman14:15.3
- Men 19 & overAndrew Farrell14:59.2
- Girls 13–14Isabel Traynor14:15.7
- Women 15–18Kayla Jorge14:01.5
- Women 19 & overBethanne Plasman16:02.1
500 Meter Splash
500m · Sunday- Boys 14 & underKonrad Laszczak7:04.3
- Girls 14 & underTaylor Bardey7:42.9
Stories With Sid · the Headquarters Hotel
Special Guest
Brooke Bennett takes the mic.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett headlined the weekend’s social centerpiece. On Saturday afternoon, Sid revived Stories With Sid, his Florida Swim Network show from the Covid years, to interview Brooke about her first Knockout experience and where open water goes next.
Then they called champion Brinkleigh Hansen up from the audience for her award and a few words. One of the sport’s greats, handing the moment to the next.
Gallery
Inside the weekend
From the first horn at dawn to the last hand on the finish line.
The Namesake
Who is Sid Cassidy?
They call him “Mr. Open Water,” and this whole weekend is built in his image.
A North Carolina State All-American and the world's number four professional marathon swimmer in 1979, Sid Cassidy went on to help build the sport itself. As longtime chairman of the World Aquatics open water committee, he helped create the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim and started the very first one in Beijing.
He has officiated open water at four consecutive Olympic Games and earned a place in the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Since 2006 he has been the Aquatic Director and head swim coach at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, and that is why this weekend carries his name.
Ask anyone in the sport and you hear the same things. An infectious laugh, relentless dedication, and a gift for building something out of nothing. This weekend brings that spirit to South Florida.
Read his full storyJust looking at their faces when we gave them the certificate, “you’re invited,” was incredible. That’s why I do this.
- Architect of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim
- Open water official at four straight Olympic Games
- International Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 2026
- Aquatic Director at Saint Andrew's since 2006
Race Program
Twelve events. Five formats.
From the 500 meter Splash to the first 3K Knockout held in the USA. Saturday runs fresh water green. Sunday turns Atlantic blue.
Speedo Metric Mile
Events 1 to 4 · 1500m · Saturday · Tradewinds Park · Freshwater
USA Swimming age group races (Events 1 and 2) plus Adult races in ten-year increments (Events 3 and 4).
The Sea Tiger 3K Knockout
3K WORLD FIRST · USAEvents 5 and 6 · 3000m · Saturday · Tradewinds Park · Freshwater
The first time it has ever been held in the USA, and the newest open water format from World Aquatics. Women and Men.
The 5 Kilometer Challenge
Events 7 and 8 · 5000m · Sunday · South Inlet Park Beach · Saltwater
Open to Adult and USA Swimming divisions.
The One Kilometer Encounter
Events 9 and 10 · 1000m · Sunday · South Inlet Park Beach · Saltwater
The 500 Meter Splash
Events 11 and 12 · 500m · Sunday · South Inlet Park Beach · Saltwater
For ages 14 and under.
Awards & Divisions
USA SWIMMING AGE GROUPS
12 and under · 13 to 14 · 15 to 18 · 19 and over
ADULT DIVISIONS
19 to 29 · 30 to 39 · 40 to 49 · 50 to 59 · 60 to 69 · 70 and over
Wetsuit swimmers compete as exhibition only (not eligible for awards).
World First in the USA
How the 3K Knockout works
It is the newest format in open water. The pack starts together, and after each lap a horn cuts the slowest swimmers. The field shrinks until a handful sprint for the title. Watch it play out.
Find Your Race
Twelve races. One is yours.
Tell us a little about you and we will light up where you belong in the water.
YOUR AGE GROUP
HOW FAR DO YOU WANT TO SWIM
Pick your age and how far you want to swim.
Event Schedule
Two race days, one full weekend.
Provisional 2027 program, based on the inaugural weekend. Times, venues, and guests to be finalized.
Friday Night
February 12, 2027Optional Packet Pickup
Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center lobby
Saturday Morning
February 13, 2027Tradewinds Park, Coconut CreekEvents 1 and 2: USA Swimming Age Group Metric Mile
12 and under, 13 to 14, 15 to 18, 19 and over
Events 3 and 4: Adult Metric Mile
Ten-year increments, from 19 to 29 through 70 and over
Events 5 and 6: The Sea Tiger 3K Knockout
Women and Men. The first time ever held in the USA
Saturday Night
February 13, 2027Mingling and Stories at the Drift
Drift Bar and Patio, Town Center Marriott. First drink on the house.
"Stories With Sid" live
with a special guest to be announced
Sunday Morning
February 14, 2027South Inlet Park Beach, Boca RatonEvents 7 and 8: The 5 Kilometer Challenge
Open to Adult and USA Swimming divisions
Events 9 and 10: The One Kilometer Encounter
Events 11 and 12: The 500 Meter Splash
For ages 14 and under
Event Locations
One lake. One ocean.
Two premier South Florida venues, a day apart and a world of water between them.
Tradewinds Park
Coconut Creek, FL
South Inlet Park Beach
Boca Raton, FL
The Courses
Know the water before you swim it.
Trace every turn buoy and sight line. Watch a lap unfold at each venue.
Tradewinds Park
Saturday · FreshwaterA freshwater canal course off Carambola Circle. Color-coded loops of 500m, 1000m, and 1500m wind north through the channel, stacked to build the 3K Knockout.
South Inlet Park
Sunday · SaltwaterTwo near-shore vertical lanes for the 500m and 1000m, plus the tall 2.5km rectangular loop out into the Atlantic. Beach to the west, ocean east; all three start and finish at the top.
Travel & Stay
Plan your South Florida weekend.
Host Hotels
Getting There
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
About 20 minutes to venues. Best option for most travelers.
Miami (MIA)
About 45 minutes to venues. International hub, more flights.
Car Rental
Recommended for moving between the two venues.
Ride Share
Uber and Lyft are readily available across South Florida.
Water & Weather
February in South Florida is prime open water season. Typical water temp 72 to 75°F, air 65 to 78°F.
What to Bring
Suit, goggles, cap, sunscreen, towel, and a change of clothes. Wetsuits welcome as exhibition.
Finish Line
Two days. Two challenges.
One legendary weekend.
There is room in the water for everyone.
Proud sponsors of the inaugural weekend
