Get inspired. Learn from the best. Come out and watch America's and Canada's best open water swimmers up close at the 2010 USA Swimming National 5K Open Water Swimming Championships in a Spectator Boat. Instead of standing on shore, waiting and wondering what is going on in the middle of the course, board a boat and cheer for some of the world's best open water swimmers from the best seats available.

Watch Olympian Chloe Sutton race against NCAA champion Emily Brunemann. Check out the race tactics of 10K world champion Chip Peterson against Pan American Games 10K champion Fran Crippen.

In and out of the feeding stations, in and out of the turn buoys, down the final straightaway, these world-class athletes will be battling each other and several others in tight packs. For the first time, coaches, parents, fans and friends can see first-hand the incredible endurance, courage and strategy displayed by these athletes in what will be the most competitive 5K race on American shores in 2010.

Alex Meyer and Sean Ryan - two of America's best open water swimmers - fighting it out at the 2009 World Championships
The finish will be an all-out sprint

Throughout the one-hour race, America and Canada's best open water swimmers will draft, surge and sprint 2.5 loops around Marine Stadium in Long Beach, California in a flat, salt-water course in water that can be anywhere from 62°F (16.6°C) - 68°F (20°C).

Similar to the flat-water lake venue that will be used at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships in Quebec, Canada and the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2012 London Olympics, the athletes will treat fans to a fast, tactical swim that will undoubtedly end in an all-out exciting sprint to the finish.

Marine Stadium was the venue for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics rowing events and the 1968 U.S. Rowing Olympic Trials. The course will be well-marked with an in-the-water start and finish.

Athletes will be escorted by a flotilla of stand-up paddlers provided by SUP ATX and officiated by FINA-experienced referees. Coaches, fans, family members and the media are welcome to board Spectator Boats along the course to watch the action up close ($20 per seat in authentic Italian-style gondolas provided by Gondola Getaway).

The action around the feeding stations and turn buoys is always something to see

Those with the inside line around the last turn buoy will have the inside track on victory

Race strategy - as much as endurance - will play a major role in the outcome of the races

USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships

The USA Swimming National Open Water Championships showcase the fastest tactical swimming for highly conditioned distance swimmers. These swimmers train between 10,000 - 18,000 meters per day with as many as 11 workouts in the pool plus dryland training that can include weight-training, core work, running, stationary biking, yoga and stretching. They are the epitome of outstanding student-athletes who perform well in the water and in the classroom. The athletes qualify for these championships in four different ways. American athletes who meet any of these qualifications can enter online here through the USA Swimming’s On-line Meet Entry System.

1. Finish in the top 15 at a 2009-2010 FINA World Cup Race
2. Finish in the top 10 at the 2009 USA Swimming 5K or 10K National Championships in Ft. Myers, Florida
3. Attend the 2010 USA Swimming National Open Water Select Camp
4. Achieve the following pool swimming time standards:

Women's 5K Qualifying Times
1500 Long Course Meters: 17:38.7
1650 Short Course Yards: 17:00.1

Men's 5K Qualifying Times
1500 Long Course Meters: 16:37.6
1650 Short Course Yards: 16:03.5

The USA Swimming National 5K Open Water Swimming Championships are also open to foreign athletes who meet the qualifying criteria (see here). Top swimmers from Canada will also compete in Long Beach and will use the USA Swimming National Championships as its own selection meet for the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships that will be held Lac St-Jean in Roberval, Quebec, Canada in July.

USA Swimming National 5K Open Water Swimming Championship will feature an in-water start and finish between the floating pontoons that lie in the middle of Marine Stadium. The swimmers will swim 2.5 loops of the course with the Spectator Boats following alongside at a safe distance. Swimmer warm-up and registration will begin at 10:00 am. All swimmers will exit the venue by 10:30 am when the Spectator Boats will be boarded.

The Course is a very calm, salt water course inside Marine Stadium. There will be no waves as coaches, parents, fans and friends enjoy the view from the Spectator Boats. Although it is highly likely that sunny conditions will prevail, it may be a bit chilly at the start so bring a light jacket.