Hell or High Water Swim 2026

About the Event

The Hell or High Water Swim 2026 takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 7:00 AM EDT starting from 724 Elm Avenue in Mount Holly, North Carolina, USA. This 10-mile point-to-point downstream swim follows the path of North Carolina's devastating Great Flood of 1916 on the Catawba River, passing five scenic bridges and railroad trestles with full boat and kayak support and shuttle service included.

Event Distance	Start Location	Finish Location	Start Time
10-mile Solo Swim (downstream, point-to-point)	724 Elm Avenue, Mount Holly, NC (Catawba River)	Designated finish point on Catawba River (shuttle return provided)	07:00

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

Course Description: A well-marked, 10-mile downstream point-to-point swim on the Catawba River. Participants will pass five scenic bridges and railroad trestles along the route.
Safety: Safety is paramount, with boat and kayak support accompanying swimmers throughout the course.
Shuttle Service: Shuttle transportation is included for participants to return from the finish location.
Historical Significance: The race follows the path of the Great Flood of 1916 – a devastating storm whose fierce blow prompted the construction of dams and subsequent electrification of the region. The race name is derived from news and film accounts of that historic event.
Conditions: Unlike the epic conditions of the 1916 flood, participants can expect mild conditions on the Catawba River.
Sponsor: Lauren Campbell – Allen Tate is a sponsor of the event.
Participants: As of the event page, 20 participants are registered, with 20 spots remaining.
Lodging: Accommodation information is available on the event website.
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are welcome – sign up via the event registration portal.

Route and Atmosphere:

Scenic Highlights: The route passes under five scenic bridges and railroad trestles, offering unique views of the Catawba River corridor.
Terrain: Downstream river swimming with current assistance. The well-marked course ensures swimmers stay on track.
Historical Atmosphere: The event honors the memory of the Great Flood of 1916 while providing a safe and enjoyable modern swimming experience.
Community & Challenge: A 10-mile open water swim is a significant endurance challenge suitable for experienced distance swimmers.
Spectator Experience: Spectators can cheer from bridge crossings and designated viewing points along the Catawba River. The start at 724 Elm Avenue in Mount Holly offers pre-race gathering space.
Support Network: Boat and kayak support creates a safe environment for swimmers, with safety personnel monitoring the entire course.

The Hell or High Water Swim 2026 invites distance swimmers to take on a 10-mile point-to-point downstream course on the Catawba River in Mount Holly, North Carolina – following the path of the Great Flood of 1916 with full boat and kayak support and shuttle service included.

Races Offered

Hell or High Water Swim (Solo)

Jun 06, 2026

straighten

Distance — 16.1K

terrain

Type — Water sports

timer

07:00

sell

$333.66

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for June in Mt Holly.

thermostat Temperature

19.0° / 30.6°

wb_sunny Feels like

20.0° / 31.0°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

11h 58m

water_drop Avg rainfall

3.1 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

8.4 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Very High (8.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

69.0%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:09

nightlight Sunset

20:39

About Mt Holly

Learn more about the host city, Mt Holly.

Mount Holly is a small suburban city in northeastern Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The city is situated just west of the Catawba River, north of Interstate 85, south of North Carolina State Highway 16. The population was 17,703 at the 2020 census, up from 13,656 in 2010.