Rescheduled Great Ohio River Swim canceled as a result of ‘unsafe conditions’

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The Nineteenth-annual Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim has been canceled as a result of security issues.

According to occasion organizers, the Ohio River is displaying “unsafe conditions,” forcing them to cancel the swim that was scheduled to happen Sept. 13.

Days main as much as the occasion, organizers evaluated the Ohio River’s velocity, and its micro organism and algae ranges. They additionally appeared for the presence of particles and potential climate patterns. They discovered that the present velocity of the river is at 1 mph and is anticipated to be over 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,” occasion chair Caroline Keating stated in a press launch.

The Great Ohio River Swim was initially purported to happen Aug. 30, however it was rescheduled for Sunday because of the identical points. Organizers say they can’t postpone the occasion once more.

“Our number one priority is making sure this event is safe for every swimmer who joins us,” Keating stated. “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.”

Swimmers who registered this yr will obtain a free code for subsequent yr’s swim, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12, 2027.

The 900-meter open water swim occasion was based in 2007, and later renamed in honor of Bill Keating Jr., a outstanding Cincinnati lawyer, swimmer and swim coach, who handed away from mind most cancers in 2017.

Participants dive into the Ohio River on the Serpentine Wall and make the swimming trek all the best way to the Public Landing.

The occasion sometimes attracts greater than 200 swimmers every year.

Enquirer media associate Fox19 provided this report.