Chattanooga native Karah Nazor Friberg said when the current in the Tennessee River is really strong, it reminds her of the English Channel, which she was the first Tennessee woman to swim two years ago and is often referred to as “the Mount Everest of open-water swimming.”
After moving back to Chattanooga for her husband’s job in December, she was looking for a way to continue her hobby and gathered together friends who swim or kayak to form an open-water swimming group.
“It’s a new way to use a skill, and most people get burned out swimming in a pool,” said Nazor Friberg.
Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (COWS) meets at Coolidge Park Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m., a time she said she chose so swimmers could come directly after work.
Friberg said she encourages strong swimmers over 18 years of age with a competitive background to try the fast-growing sport.