Richmond, Va. — SwimRVA will host the annual East Coast WinterFest swim meet from December 12-15, 2024 at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center in Chesterfield, Va. As one of the largest competitions of the year, the winter-wonderland-themed meet serves as a catalyst for enhancing the annual tourism impact of aquatics, as SwimRVA is set to welcome over 1,000 athletes to the Richmond region. Athletes will be traveling from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey to participate in this exciting championship opportunity during the holiday season.
Richmond has become one of the top tourism destinations in the country, boosted by the incredible growth in sports and aquatic competition. SwimRVA generates $7M in sports tourism annually through events. SwimRVA has fueled the Richmond region’s national reputation for major events having hosted the TYR Pro Swim Series, Toyota U.S. Open, and USA Swimming championships
including the Super Sectional, Futures and Eastern Zones. Dozens of Olympic athletes have come through the regional world class aquatics center on their way to Olympic success on the international stage. The regional success is made possible by partnerships with Richmond Region Tourism, Chesterfield County, and the local business community.
All athletes in the East Coast WinterFest will receive free admission to Kings Dominion annual holiday WinterFest experience. The collaborative effort is a win-win as we work together to enhance the visitor experience. Richmond was named the number one destination in CNN’s annual Best Towns to Visit for 2024. The region remains a top event destination and impact driver in the state.
SwimRVA’s facility boasts a 54,000 square foot indoor aquatics center. The 50-meter steel pool was originally constructed for the 2008 Olympic trials in Omaha, Neb. and disassembled and rebuilt as the centerpiece of SwimRVA’s aquatic center. The nonprofit works to provide quality aquatic programs in the Richmond region across six programming locations and jurisdictions. Successful
events like the East Coast WinterFest empower SwimRVA to make strides toward its vision of a Drownproof Richmond. SwimRVA focuses on a future where every person in the capital region has access to life changing opportunities.
SwimRVA will utilize a state-of-the-art video streaming system for those unable to attend in person, extending the reach of the meet to spectators beyond Richmond. Athletes’ names, team and time will be displayed in an overlay of their lane just as it appears in nationally televised meets such as the Olympics. Spectators will also have the ability to rewatch races multiple times. Those interested can visit https://swimrva.vhx.tv/browse for more information.
Head Meet Referee Bryan Wallin and his leadership team bring national level officiating experience to East Coast WinterFest. Wallin served as an official for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis over the summer. Under his leadership, our team of officials strive to uphold high standards of integrity, fairness, impartiality and knowledge.
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About SwimRVA
SwimRVA is a non-profit designed to elevate swimming in the Richmond region making water safety and aquatic fitness more accessible to all. SwimRVA serves as a catalyst for regional aquatics through water safety, health and wellness, sports tourism and competitive swimming. SwimRVA is the collaborative engine that is building social bridges to cross physical, racial, and economic barriers; ensuring that everyone has access to not only learning a necessary, life-saving skill, but also developing the tools to be active, healthy and fit for the
rest of their lives. SwimRVA is the non-profit community hub for aquatics in the Richmond region.
Media Contacts
Scott Bennett
Director of Communications, SwimRVA
scott.bennett@swimrichmond.org
Office: 804-271-8275
Cell: 540-577-8083
Links
To purchase tickets, click HERE
For streaming, click HERE
For the facility schedule, click HERE