Stoked To Go Out ®

13TH ANNUAL GREY LISTON MEMORIAL PIER TO PIER OPEN WATER SWIM / STOKED TO GO OUT!

Stoked (adjective) – slang

Being in an enthusiastic or exhilarated state

The annual Stoked To Go Out (STGO) open water swim is exactly that – a gathering of outdoor enthusiasts, exhilarated to get out there, charge it, take the bull by the horns, meet the challenge head-on, commit, and take the literal plunge.  Inspired by the life and legacy of Grey Liston, the STGO open water swim takes participants 1.7 miles from pier-to-pier in the Atlantic Ocean, off the picturesque coast of Wrightsville Beach, NC.

And, since all STGO proceeds benefit the UNCW Grey Liston Scholarship in Athletics Endowment fund, not only does this event honor the spirit of Grey and drive our mission to battle complacency in life, it also allows for us all to enable the education and participation of future swimmers and divers.

Stay Stoked and join us on May 16, 2026!

The Stoked To Go Out Race Team.

IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER THE GREY LISTON MEMORIAL SWIM WILL BE POSTPONED IN HOPES THE BAD WEATHER WILL PASS. IF IT DOES NOT PASS IN TIME TO COMPLETE THE EVENT SAFELY IN THE ORIGINAL OR MODIFIED FORMAT, THE EVENT WILL BE CANCELLED. IF CANCELLED DUE TO AN ACT OF GOD OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE BEYOND THE RACE DIRECTORS CONTROL THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS, CREDITS, OR TRANSFERS. REST ASSURED YOUR ENTRY FEE IS GOING TOWARDS PUTTING ON A SAFE AND FUN EVENT AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL FIND THERE WAY INTO THE GREY LISTON ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE UNC WILMINGTON SWIM & DIVE PROGRAM.

Parking & Chip Pick-Up:

The STGO Race Team and our partner, Setup Events, will use disposable timing chips, allowing us to host a special pre-race-day check-in session Friday May 15, between 2:00-5:00 PM at the Dave Allen Natatorium on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. If you will be in the Wilmington area Friday afternoon May 15, please feel free to stop by and check-in for Saturday’s race. This allows participants to skip race morning check-in at Wrightsville Beach Town Park and proceed directly to the race start! Required pre-race briefing 8:45 AM sharp on the beach at the starting pier. Watch for our dawn communication as to race direction.

UNCW David B. Allen Natatorium, 690 Hamilton Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403. Look for entryway signs.

On race day all participants may park for free at Wrightsville Beach Town Hall
Onsite Packet pickup: Saturday 6:30am to 8:15am. 
Participants receive their timing chips and are body marked at this location (race number on hand and cap only) .
No beach check-in                                                                                                                                                                                              

Transportation:

Shuttle transportation from Wrightsville Beach Park to the race start, and back from the race finish WILL be provided.
Participants can park for free at Wrightsville Beach Park and will be shuttled to the race start. The last shuttle will depart at 8:15AM sharp!
Please arrive early so we may accommodate all participants to the start for pre-race briefing at 8:45 AM.
Limited street parking is also available near the start and finish for $5.00 - $6.00 per hour or $25-30 per day. 
We WILL be transporting bags from the race start to the finish as in prior years. Participants should use small, clearly tagged or marked bags for drop off and pick up.

Minimum Age:

Swimmers must be at least 11 years old on race day to participate.
 
Awards:

Overall Male, Overall Female, Overall Masters Male (40+), Overall Masters Female (40+)
Top 3 male and female in the following age groups:  
11-12, 13-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & Over
Top team
 
Wetsuit Rules:

Mid-May Wrightsville Beach water temperature is typically in the low 70's.
If the water temperature is 67.9 degrees or lower – wetsuits will be required.
If the water temperature is between 68 degrees and 78 degrees – Participants opting to wear a wetsuit will be assessed a 3-minute penalty. 
If the water temperature is 78.1 degrees or higher – wetsuits are prohibited.


Swim Direction:

*  Race direction is determined at sunrise on race day based on current direction. Notice will be sent out early via email and social media

Stoked To Go Out is a 1.7 mile point-to-point ocean swim.
The race takes place between Crystal Pier and Johnny Mercer's Pier.
Participants swim with the current, so the start and finish locations are determined on race morning.
The course map indicates the predominant south-to-north current.