Waterman Eco-Challenge & Summer Safe Ocean State 5K/10K

Waterman Eco-Challenge & Summer Safe Ocean State 5K/10K

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026

Founded in 2011, the Waterman Eco-Challenge & Summer Safe Ocean State 5K/10K is an annual multisport festival supporting charities focused on drowning prevention, cancer support, cardiac health, and coastal sustainability. The event features running, swimming, and paddleboard races.

Watch 2024 Highlight Video

Events: 

• 5K Run or Walk
• 10K Run
• 400 Meter Kids Swim
• 1 Mile or 5K Swim
• 3 Mile or 6 Mile Paddle
• Eco-Challenger (5K Run + 1 Mile Swim + 3 Mile Paddle)
• Ultimate Challenger (10K Run, 5K Mile Swim, 6 Mile Paddle)

Ocean Swim:

New England's only open-water swim meet dual sanctioned by USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming. This meet offers three race distances, individual and cumulative time relay competitions, a team points competition, and non-wetsuit (awards eligible) and wetsuit (no awards) divisions.

• Open Water Meet Announcement - click to view
  • Details & sanction requirements
  • Shareable link: https://bit.ly/wec-owmeetannouncement26 
    
    
• Coach Attestion Form - click to view
  • Required for all swimmers age 12 & under
    
    
• Individual Event Age Groups:
  • 5K Swim: 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
  • 1-Mile Swim: 9-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
  • 400-Meter Swim: 12 & under
    
    
• Relay Age Groups (sum of the 3 swimmers’ ages):
  • 5K swim: 33-51, 52-117, 118-179, 180+
  • 1-mile swim: 27-51, 52-117, 118-179, 180+
  • 400-meter swim: 36 & under

Key Dates:

• February - Early Registration Opens
• April 15 - Early Registration Discount Ends
• April 16 - Full Price Registration Begins

Tentative Schedule:

• 6:30 AM - Parking Lot & 5K/10K Run Check-In Open
• 7:00 AM - Swim & Paddle Check-In Opens
• 7:00 AM - Run/Walk Entries Close
• 7:15 AM - Run/Walk Races Start
• 8:00 AM - Swim Individual Race Entries Close
• 8:30 AM - Swim Check-In & Relay Entries Closes
• 8:40 AM - Mandatory Swimmer Briefing
• 9:00 AM - Swim Races Start
• 11:00 AM - Paddle Race Entries Closes
• 11:30 AM - Paddle Races Start 11:30am
• 11:45 AM - Swim Awards Ceremony
• 3:00 PM - Public Event Area Closes
  

Parking:

Regular state beach parking rates apply. Season passes will be honored. Rhode Island resident day parking $7. Non-resident day parking $14. Senior resident $3.50. Senior non-resident $7. Parking rates are set by the State of Rhode Island and subject to change.