Trans Tahoe Relay 2025 Results & Recap: Top Teams, Rivalries, and What’s Next
July 21, 2025
Race‑Day Overview
At sunrise on July 19, more than 230 relay teams and solo swimmers dove into Lake Tahoe’s 64+ °F water at Sand Harbor, Nevada, to begin the 11‑mile crossing to Skylandia Beach, California. Flat, wind‑free conditions produced some of the fastest times in recent memory.
1,690 Participants set a new record raising funds for Keep Tahoe Blue 
2025 Race Results & Top Finishers
Leaders at a glance
- Open Relay — Tahoe Eleven Milers, 3 hours 26 minutes 33 seconds
- Solo 15.5 km — Vesna Shelnutt, 4 hours 11 minutes 14 seconds
- Masters Women 240+ — Team TunaTronik (repeat champions)
Full team standings are posted at Trans Tahoe
Don’t Lose Doug vs. Key Lago: A Sprint for the Ages
D.J. Tierney dives in! Don’t Lose Doug crosses the Finish Line! Team Celebrations!
Nine years after literally losing their lead swimmer (hence the name), Don’t Lose Doug locked into a duel with Bay Area friends Key Lago. For nine miles the boats traded position until anchors Whitney Strotz and Rik Krumins launched a half‑mile sprint. Don’t Lose Doug touched Skylandia Beach first—just 26 seconds ahead—before both crews exchanged cheers and promised a rematch in 2026.
Don’t Lose Doug missed Team Captain Ben Barber who will be back for ’26!
Squad Leader Tim Krozek assembled a motley crew: Jonathan Harris, Bill Bliss, Whitney Strotz, Jack Hallahan, and D.J. Tierney. Boat Skipper Dick Palmer, who deserves much credit for keeping us on a straight(ish) line, summed up the experience “It’s a beautiful day out on the lake, and always more fun when you win!” Credit also to BlueSeventy who supplied thermal headbands and gear to stay warm, FORM and FINIS goggles with digital displays keeping us motivated and aware, and TRISWIM anti-chafe SKIN SLICK spray to squeeze into our suits!
Each year, the goal remains the same: Have Fun. Stay Warm. Break Records. For the past three swims, this relay team has accomplished all three objectives, with sites set on a faster, record-breaking effort at next summer’s Golden Anniversary Event.
Need an extra boost of open‑water motivation? Read our Motivational Monday Guide
Share Your Trans Tahoe Moments
We want your best photos and stories for our follow‑up feature!
Quick Form: Submit in under two minutes here → Google Form
Email Option: Send files to publisher@swimmingworld.com
(subject: Trans Tahoe Relay Story)
Social Tag: Post using #MyTransTahoeStory so we can share in real time
Deadline: Friday, July 25
Perk: Top three submissions win Swimming World swag
Team‑Name Gold: Puns, Pop Culture & Local Pride
The creativity meter was maxed out again this year.
Fan favorites: ColdCalmCollected, Swim Shady, Aquaholics Anonymous, Tahoeld My Beer
Nautical jokers Dog Paddlers, Maiden Voyage, and Dinghy Bound
Chill‑embracers Frozen Tuna and Formerly Fast, Currently Freezing
Hometown heroes Bonner Party, Fog City Fins, Homewood Homeys, and Humboldt Bay Beauties
Want more team name ideas? Download Swimming World’s new (FREE) App:
Swimming World App offers SwimShop Deals
Looking Ahead: The 50th Anniversary in 2026
Next summer marks the relay’s golden anniversary. Organizers are exploring ideas such as special medals and an alumni gathering, but final plans have not been announced.
Registration will again be capped at 230 teams, with sign‑ups expected to open on January 1, 2026.
Spots disappear faster than a Tahoe sunrise—start assembling your squad now.
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