Open Water Swimming

(MPSF).

Open water swimming is different. Pools are controlled, lanes, walls, perfect temperature. But in open water, you’re dealing with wind, waves, currents, and even wildlife. It’s not just a race against other swimmers, it’s about learning to move with the environment. That connection to nature is what makes this sport so unique and it’s why I think it’s pretty special that collegiate open water is growing fast through the MPSF (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).

Swimming With the Environment

Being out in the ocean or a lake forces you to think about more than just speed. The water can be rough, the current might push you off course, and sometimes the visibility is low. It makes you aware of just how alive the environment is around you. Unlike pools that use chemicals, heaters, and filters, open water is both natural and fragile. Pollution, boat traffic, and warming temperatures all affect the ecosystems we swim in. Swimmers in Hawaii, for example, sometimes race over coral reefs, which are under threat from warming seas and sunscreen chemicals.

When you’re in it, you realize that swimming isn’t just a sport, it’s a way to experience firsthand why the health of oceans, rivers, and lakes matters. That’s part of why open water events often emphasize environmental responsibility, like “no-trace” policies and eco-friendly sunscreen. It’s not just racing, it’s also respecting.

The MPSF

That’s where the MPSF comes in. In 2023, the conference launched its first-ever collegiate open water championships, held at Marine Stadium in Long Beach. Utah dominated that meet, sweeping the women’s podium in the 5K. The idea was to give swimmers a chance to compete in an environment that feels less controlled and more real.

By 2024, the second year, the meet had already doubled in size. Eighteen teams and more than 100 athletes dove in. Grand Canyon’s women and Cal Baptist’s men took the team titles. The growth shows not just that swimmers want this challenge, but also that schools are ready to support it.

Year 3 Preview

This fall, on October 18, 2025, the third MPSF Open Water Championships will return to Long Beach’s Marine Stadium. All NCAA divisions are invited, and sponsors like Speedo, Gatorade, and Malmsten are on board again.

The setting matters too, Marine Stadium is a historic venue built for rowing in the 1932 Olympics, and it connects directly to the ocean. That makes it a great middle ground, safe enough for racing but still very much tied to the open-water environment. It also highlights how cities can use natural water spaces for recreation while working to keep them clean and safe.

Why It Matters

Open water swimming brings sport and environment together. Here’s why it stands out to me:

• The connection to nature: Every race is a reminder of how powerful and delicate the environment is.

• Growing responsibly: With the MPSF backing it, the sport can expand while also teaching young athletes about respecting the water they race in.

• Future possibilities: If growth continues, open water could become an NCAA recognized championship sport. That would not only elevate the athletes but also shine a brighter light on the environments we depend on.

Final Thoughts

When I think about the MPSF open water meets, it’s more than just times on a results sheet. It’s the feeling of competing in water that has its own rhythm. The waves don’t care about your pace, and the currents won’t bend for your race plan. Swimming in open water is about respecting nature as much as racing in it.

With year three of the MPSF meet just around the corner, the momentum is clear. Collegiate open water swimming is growing and every race is a reminder of why keeping our waters healthy matters, not just for athletes, but for everyone.

Sources:

Overend, Riley. "Utah Dominates Inaugural MPSF Open Water Championships." Swim Swam, 3 Nov. 2023, swimswam.com/utah-dominates-inaugural-mpsf-open-water-championships/?utm_.

"Third Edition of MPSF Open Water Championships." MPSF Sports, 11 Apr. 2025, mpsports.org/news/2025/4/11/open-water-swimming-third-edition-of-mpsf-open-water-championships.aspx?utm_.

"Utah's Breakthrough: Pioneering a New Era in Collegiate Open Water Swimming at the MPSF Open Water Championships." World Open Water Swimming Association, 23 Oct. 2023, www.openwaterswimming.com/utahs-breakthrough-pioneering-a-new-era-in-collegiate-open-water-swimming-at-the-mpsf-open-water-championships/?utm_.

"Why does sunscreen and sun cream damage coral reefs?" Pod Volunteer, 6 Mar. 2019, www.podvolunteer.org/blog/why-does-sunscreen-and-sun-cream-damage-coral-reefs?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20774747197&gbraid=0AAAAADpQA3Xe4x-oSr1fyldjMm1ppJbHi&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5c_FBhDJARIsAIcmHK-OukZxiBpUblCEpQo05LSrPvMzaPY_Pj8PsnxOkZltlNQfRdpF2aUaAjxREALw_wcB.