Piranhas Open Water Extreme Race
Pompano Beach Piranhas

POWER
CHALLENGE

Open Water Extreme Race

300 swimmers. One pier. One clock.
Pompano Beach, FL • Saturday, September 5, 2026

●154 finishes by 126 swimmers from 13 clubs.
See the results →
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The Races

Piranhas
0.5 KM
Around the Pier

Beach start 50m south of the pier. Swim 200m east to the first yellow buoy, turn left past a red buoy to the second yellow buoy, then straight back to the beach finish. Age groups: 10 & Under through 80+.

$40
See the results
Piranhas
1.5 KM
The Pompano Mile

In-water start beside the pier. Swim south past the green and yellow buoys, keeping them on your left, then east along the bottom of the course, north up the far side, and west back to the beach finish. One rectangle, four left turns, every turn at a red buoy. Age groups: 14 & Under through 80+.

$65
See the results
Bringing a team?

Coaches send the whole squad as one CL or SDIF entry file and pay by Zelle. That file loads straight into meet management, so nobody retypes a roster and no name gets spelled wrong on race day.

Format: CL or SDIF only
Send entries to: meet@pompanopiranhas.com
Payment: Zelle to meet@pompanopiranhas.com
Individual swimmers register online above.

Pompano Beach, Florida

Race day morning on the beautiful Atlantic coast. Warm water, ocean swells, and the energy of South Florida's swim community.

PiranhasSeptember 5, 2026 • Check-In 6:30 AM • Race Starts 9:00 AM

Why Swim It

A tradition since 2011, run by a non-profit youth swim team on one of South Florida's best stretches of beach.

Your family watches for free

Both courses are laid out so most of the racing happens in clear view of the Pompano Beach Pier. Pier access is free, which makes this one of the few open water races your family can actually watch you swim.

Safety in layers

Eight Ocean Rescue lifeguard towers along the beach, professional lifeguards on kayaks and paddleboards, jet skis on the course, and paramedics on site with Fire Department support.

Built for first timers too

The 0.5 KM Around the Pier course is designed for developing open water swimmers and youth competitors. Short, close to shore, clearly marked with large buoys.

Properly timed and scored

MyLaps ankle strap chip timing. Trophies for the top 3 overall men and women in each race, medals for the top 3 in every age group.

Warm, clear ocean

Early September water at Pompano Beach normally sits in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. No wetsuit needed, no cold shock, just clean South Florida water.

Easy to travel to

Beachfront hotels, restaurants and shops are all within walking distance of the start. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about 30 minutes away.

Race Day Schedule

6:30 AMRegistration Booth Opens — Check-in, race tickets, body marking, timing chips
8:00 AMLate Onsite Registration Closes (double entry fees)
8:30 AMRegistration Booth Closes — Mandatory fingernail & toenail check
8:45 AMSafety Meeting — All swimmers required
9:00 AMEvent 1 — Men 1.5 KM (The Pompano Mile) Start
9:30 AMEvent 2 — Women 1.5 KM (The Pompano Mile) Start
10:00 AMEvent 3 — Men 0.5 KM (Around the Pier) Start
10:30 AMEvent 4 — Women 0.5 KM (Around the Pier) Start
11:30 AMAwards Ceremony — Trophies (top 3 overall) & medals (top 3 per age group)

Race Course Map

The Pompano Mile. A 1,500m rectangle beside Pompano Beach Pier, with an in-water start, four left turns, and a finish on the shore.

PIERStartNESW
  1. Swim SOUTH. Pass the GREEN and YELLOW buoys, keeping them on your LEFT.
  2. Turn LEFT at the RED buoy and swim EAST.
  3. Turn LEFT and swim NORTH, past the YELLOW and GREEN buoys.
  4. Turn LEFT at the RED buoy and swim WEST to the finish.
COURSE SUMMARYStart: in the waterTotal distance: 1,500m4 left turnsFinish: on the shore

Race Day Venue Layout

The Pompano Beach Pier divides the venue into North and South Beach. South Beach hosts Registration, Check-In, the Official Table, Competitor Tents & Team Areas, the Swimmers Pin area, and the Starting Line. The Awards Stand and Announcer are on the Pier. North Beach features the Finishing Chute and Finish Line.

Race Day Venue Layout — North and South Beach, registration, competitor tents, starting line, finishing chute

South Beach (Start Side)

  • Registration & Check-In Booth
  • Official Table
  • Competitor Tents & Team Areas
  • Swimmers Pin Area
  • Starting Line

North Beach (Finish Side)

  • Finishing Chute
  • Finish Line

On the Pier

  • Announcer
  • Awards Stand

Event Highlights

Watch the P.O.W.E.R. Challenge in action.

P.O.W.E.R. Challenge Highlights

Race Day Coverage

Open Water Action

Community & Competition

2024 Results

The 2024 edition brought together a full field of open water athletes from across South Florida.

105
Athletes Competed
8
Teams Represented
2
Race Distances

Our Sponsors

Proudly supported by the South Florida swimming community.

Ellie Mills — State Farm
Ellie Mills — State Farm
Bent & Bree
Bent & Bree
Arena
Arena
Coastal Waste & Recycling
Coastal Waste & Recycling
Pompano Beach Piranhas Swimming Team
Pompano Beach Piranhas Swimming Team
Sea Turtle Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
D-Band
D-Band
Sponsor This Event

Support local youth swimming and get your brand in front of the South Florida aquatics community.

Get In Touch

FAQ

What are the race distances?
0.5 KM (Around the Pier) and 1.5 KM (The Pompano Mile). Both are open water ocean swims along Pompano Beach.
How much does registration cost?
0.5 KM is $40, 1.5 KM is $65. Late onsite entry is double ($80 / $130). Max 300 participants.
Do I need to be on a swim team?
No. All swimmers are welcome and team affiliation is optional. A coach or guardian certifies on the release form that the swimmer can complete the distance.
Is there a minimum age?
There is no fixed minimum age. All swimmers are welcome, and the 0.5 KM starts at the 10 & Under age group, so it suits youth and developing open water swimmers. A coach or guardian must certify on the release form that the swimmer can complete the distance, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian signature on the waiver. Your age on race day sets your age group.
What are the age groups?
0.5 KM Around the Pier: 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Over. 1.5 KM Pompano Mile: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Over.
I have never raced open water before. Is this the right race?
Yes. The 0.5 KM course is designed for developing open water swimmers and youth competitors. It is a short, clearly marked buoy course close to shore, with lifeguards on kayaks and paddleboards the whole way. Plenty of first timers start here.
What safety measures are in place?
Eight City of Pompano Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguard towers cover the beach, professional lifeguards patrol the course on kayaks and paddleboards, jet skis and safety craft monitor the water, and medical personnel and paramedics are on site with Pompano Beach Fire Department support. A safety meeting before each race is mandatory.
What should I bring?
Competition swimsuit, goggles, towel and warm clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, and anti-chafing balm. Body marking supplies, race cap, and timing chip are provided at check-in.
Is there parking available?
Yes, free parking is available at Pompano Beach. Arrive early for best spots.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds are available up to 14 days before the event, so through August 22, 2026. No refunds within 14 days of race day.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Race officials monitor conditions closely. If lightning or dangerous surf is detected, the race may be delayed or rescheduled. Check your email the morning of the event for updates.
Are wetsuits allowed?
Wetsuits are permitted for all distances, though early September ocean temperatures at Pompano Beach normally sit in the mid 80s Fahrenheit, so most swimmers race without one.
Is there a time cutoff?
Swimmers must finish within 30 minutes of the first finisher or receive a DNF. Support lifeguards on kayaks and jet skis will assist any swimmer who needs to exit.
Can spectators watch from the beach?
Yes, and the pier is the best seat in the sport. Both courses are laid out so most of the racing happens in clear view of the Pompano Beach Pier, and pier access is free. Bring chairs and sunscreen for the beach start and finish.
What do winners receive?
In each race, the top 3 overall male and female swimmers receive trophies, and the top 3 male and female in every age group receive medals. Timing is by MyLaps ankle strap chip.
I am travelling in. Where do I stay?
The venue sits among beachfront hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops, all within walking distance of the pier. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about 30 minutes away.

Stay in the Loop

Not ready to register? Get race updates, course maps, and early-bird alerts.

Contact & Information

Event Director

Jesse Vassallo

Phone: (787) 315-1529

Email: JVassallo@pompanopiranhas.com

Office: (954) 401-0045

Location

Pompano Beach Pier

222 North Pompano Beach Blvd

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

www.pompanopiranhas.com

Entry Details

Max 300 participants

Team entries due: August 29, 2026

Team entry format: CL or SDIF only

Zelle: meet@pompanopiranhas.com

Late onsite: 2x entry fee

Waiver & Release Form

All participants must sign the waiver before race day. Swimmers under 18 require a parent/guardian signature.

Download Waiver (PDF)

Sponsored by Pompano Piranhas, Inc. — a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dba Piranhas Swim Team.
Event conducted under current Open Water Rules and Regulations. MyLap ankle strap timing system.