In New York City, open water swimmers have to be certified. I don't know why this couldn't be extended in some form to triathlon swimmers, either through master's swimming organizations or some triathlon group.
For example, to swim the Brooklyn Bridge (1K) next week, you basically have to be an experienced open water swimmer or complete a two-mile swim in a pool:
"Safety concerns require us to ensure that every participant in a NYC Swim swim event has adequate swim experience; thus we have set certain qualifying standards for participation in each of our events. You may register for a NYC Swim event even if you have not completed a qualifying swim, and your enrollment will be approved upon verification of your qualifying swim details. The experience requirement for participating in the Brooklyn Bridge Swim is as follows:
"The completion of any NYC Swim open water swim or Aquathlon since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Any DOCUMENTED timed open water swim race of 1.5 miles or more since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Any DOCUMENTED Triathlon with a timed 1.5 mile or longer open water swim since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Pool certification in a manner consistent with the sample template, which can be accessed on your user profile swimmer page, documenting the completion of a continuous 2-mile pool swim (3300 yards/3000 meters) in 1 hour and 30 minutes or better since January 1, 2009. Swim must take place in a traditional swimming pool; "Endless Pool" swims are not acceptable for qualification purposes.
"All pool certifications and qualifying swim information must be received by NYC Swim at least 14 days prior to the date of the race (no later than August 29, 2009). Swimmers who enroll after August 29th must submit their qualification information to NYC Swim within 24 hours of enrollment. Participants' qualifications will not be accepted, reviewed or approved on race day. "
In New York City, open water swimmers have to be certified. I don't know why this couldn't be extended in some form to triathlon swimmers, either through master's swimming organizations or some triathlon group.
For example, to swim the Brooklyn Bridge (1K) next week, you basically have to be an experienced open water swimmer or complete a two-mile swim in a pool:
"Safety concerns require us to ensure that every participant in a NYC Swim swim event has adequate swim experience; thus we have set certain qualifying standards for participation in each of our events. You may register for a NYC Swim event even if you have not completed a qualifying swim, and your enrollment will be approved upon verification of your qualifying swim details. The experience requirement for participating in the Brooklyn Bridge Swim is as follows:
"The completion of any NYC Swim open water swim or Aquathlon since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Any DOCUMENTED timed open water swim race of 1.5 miles or more since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Any DOCUMENTED Triathlon with a timed 1.5 mile or longer open water swim since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
"Pool certification in a manner consistent with the sample template, which can be accessed on your user profile swimmer page, documenting the completion of a continuous 2-mile pool swim (3300 yards/3000 meters) in 1 hour and 30 minutes or better since January 1, 2009. Swim must take place in a traditional swimming pool; "Endless Pool" swims are not acceptable for qualification purposes.
"All pool certifications and qualifying swim information must be received by NYC Swim at least 14 days prior to the date of the race (no later than August 29, 2009). Swimmers who enroll after August 29th must submit their qualification information to NYC Swim within 24 hours of enrollment. Participants' qualifications will not be accepted, reviewed or approved on race day. "
