Redondo Beach Swim the Avenues

For over 7,100 years, the Tongva people inhabited this stretch of the Pacific coast, establishing a village known as Onoova-nga, or 'Place of Salt.' This settlement thrived near a natural, spring-fed body of water that the community utilized for sustenance and trade, long before the modern shoreline was shaped by industrial development. Today, when you stand at the edge of the water at Miramar Park, you are looking out over the site of that ancient, salt-rich landscape, now transformed into the coastal arena for the Redondo Beach Swim the Avenues. The race connects this deep heritage to the modern athletic experience, offering 805m and 1931m distances that trace the same Pacific currents that once supported the Chowigna band.

Landmarks along the course

As you navigate the open water, your perspective of the shoreline is dominated by landmarks that tell the story of the city’s evolution. Near the waterfront, you will pass the site where the grand 225-room Hotel Redondo—a Victorian-era landmark that defined Southern California tourism in the 1890s—once stood before its demolition in 1925. Today, this ground is part of Veterans Park, which features a Spanish/Dutch colonial library built in 1930. Swimming parallel to this historic district provides a unique vantage point, occasionally punctuated by the sight of the Goodyear blimp. Known officially as the 'Official Bird of Redondo Beach' since 1983, the airship remains a familiar feature of the local horizon for those looking landward.

Race day logistics

The 8th annual edition of the race is scheduled for September 13, 2026, and serves as an official event in the Southern Pacific Masters Swimming Open Water Series. Registration fees range from $54 to $64.60, and participants have the choice of competing in either wetsuit or non-wetsuit categories. If you are preparing for a longer season, you might note that this event precedes the 2nd Annual San Pedro Rotary Open Water Swim by just one day, offering a dense weekend of Pacific racing for committed swimmers. Beyond the competition, the event maintains a strong community focus, with proceeds supporting the South Bay Park Land Conservancy and local youth through the 'Play in the Waves' program.