Hello All
New member here. I am 39, from Mass and a life long competitive swimmer. Open water only for the last 18 years or so.
I need some advice about starting a new race.
I have a swim around an island in a protective estuary that I think is really unique. It is two miles around a small island in Essex, MA. On google maps you will see it called Cross Island. The island is 100 yards from mainland. Most of the swim would be in 4'-10' of water. The water ranges in temp from low 60's to mid 70's I would guess. The tide is 10' so the sun warms the exposed bottom between tides. The warm water mixes with the colder water as the tide comes in. Boats are not an issue as most of the swim is less than 50 yards from shore. There are several spots one could stop and stand up if they needed to. It needs to be done at or near high tide both for water depth and to control the current. It can rip at certain tides but at high you can actually get a little help all the way around believe it or not.
I have swum this multiple times and have enjoyed it more each time. I want to build a race and attract some serious competitors. I would like the race to benefit the ALS society as a friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
What kind of things do you look for in an ocean race? Wetsuit, non-wetsuit. Prize money, Tshirts, awards, food? Logistically I am friends with people that run an open water event for 25 years in Gloucester. I have some ideas on how to do things logistically but I need input on how to make the race professional and attractive to a variety of swimming abilities.
This course has the potential to be something special so please help me with some ideas.
Thanks
Ken Lawler
Essex, MA
That's an interesting question. I think that the USMS rules handbook has information on open water races.
It sounds like you have a good location. You need to figure out permits, time of year relative to other competitions in your area--you don't want to set it for the same day as another popular race. You want to figure out insurance for the race so you have some protection. You need to figure out how many buoys you need for the race to have it run safely--or if you need any at all. You need to think about things like awards, t-shirts, parking, volunteers, race timing. Its a long list.
You might want to talk to a race director who has gone through all those issues. I have not. You want to consider what groups you want to have authorize your race--USMS, USTA, both, neither. Can you have USA swimmers. Do you want to allow wetsuits?
Its a long list of things but not infinite. Good luck.
Former Member
I expect that there will be people (and food) waiting for the last swimmer. If there is a cutoff then I expect to wait until after that before awards, a lot of swims do a poor job with this and its dissappointing. Next it depends on the location and timing but its nice to be fed something and that there is enough food for everyone, this can be cookies or bagels or a whole meal and warm drinks but everyone is hungry after and its easier to wait for the last swimmers and cheer them on if there's something to eat. T-shirts are very good to have and good advertising but not a must. Awards also nice to have but not a must, depth doesn't matter although I'd go with either just a few (1-3 deep) or something for everyone.
Former Member
That's the kind of input I'm looking for. Please keep it coming. Would a $250, $100, $50 1st, 2nd 3rd, M and F be enough to convince high caliber swimmers to compete. I can get a bunch on my own as they are friends but would be looking to pull in some that I dont know. I also want to bring in the other end of the spectrum with swimmers who will be stretched to swim 2 miles but who can raise money from friends and family to benefit the ALS Society.
Former Member
Thanks
There is alot to do but I think it will be worth it.
Just speaking as competitors or participants, what do you look for in these races? What do you like? What do you hate? Do you expect awards? For what categories and how many deep (1st -3rd?). Do you expect to be fed after? Do you always want a t-shirt? Anything else you can thing of that is personal to you as a participant would be helpful for me to layout the race.
Former Member
I guess its just us talking. SO for me a MOP type the awards are not all that important. I think if you want real pros (or pro ams) you need to have a national championship. For the MOP and BOP interesting prizes and something for everyone are more important. I think something of local interest (photo, painting, food etc) is more interesting than money and allows the local buisnesses to participate and hopefully showcase their buisnesses.
I like additional awards-last person out, largest obstacle, newest, oldest and you can get more of these if you work with local buisnesses. Quite a few people who will be challeneged would come for a finisher's medal or award.
So if I answer all your questions do I get a free entry (and will you make the swim a different month than august when I am booked)?
On the wetsuit question if you want the broadest possible field allow wetsuits in an unranked catagory (non regulation) that does not get times or prizes but require a "naked" swim test of some sort for non-reg (could be something signed by coach or lifeguard or even honor system). You don't need a wetsuit catagory but some people (triathletes mostly) use them as a sort of secuirty blanket and won't venture into open water without them. THis is also why its a good idea to be sure they can swim without them, that their skills are really up to the task.
Former Member
Thanks
September is the best weather and least amount of boat traffic. I like the idea of using a local artist to do something we can give as a plaque. The Swim for a Clean Harbor in Gloucester, MA has done that at different times and it's worked out well. Essex may be the most painted town in Massachusetts so getting a local artist wouldn't be too hard.
I did Alcatraz a few years ago and the wetsuit question was interesting. It was almost as if you didn't really do it if you wore a wetsuit. I would say the vast majority of open water swimmers including myself prefer the wetsuit. It evens out the water temps here in the northeast, it protects you from "stuff" or at least that's how you feel. It also makes everyone a little faster and I would even say they are a bit safer as they provide a lot of floatation. The Gloucester swim is all wetsuit - probably because we've swum it in as low as 53 degrees with the average being around the low 60's. Essex is a bit warmer because it is shallower but in the channell it can be cold.
Keep the ideas coming. Thanks. Ken.
Former Member
If you are worried about water temperature throw in a qualifying requirement and a warning that the water is cold. Do allow non--wetsuits. I didn't know Gloucester was wetsuit only, now I have an excuse for my relative who keeps tryign to make me go there to swim it. (1) too short (2) don't own a wetsuit (3) afriad i'll get heat stroke if i do axquire one and try to swim in it. To each his own just leave it open and ask peopel qualify for any conidtions you are worried about.
I have swum father than that in water below 53 degrees and can find you quite a few others who have as well so you should have takers for both options.
Regarding wetsuits, I have never worn one except for SCUBA diving and have done swims in water as cold as 53 degrees. But if I were starting an open water swim and wanted to encourage participation, I would have a division for wet suits and probably one for fins also. For the wet suit division, I'd try to get certification from the USTA(or whatever the Tri group is called). You'd have to send them off separately but why not? I can still swim in the naked division and it doesn't effect me.
I do understand the appeal of a purist approach but I think its counterproductive if you are trying for larger numbers.
As for cash awards, I probably wouldn't go there unless I could offer 5,000 for winners. I don't think much less than that would matter. And you might have to pay appearance costs to get big names. You might consider trying to approach a famous swimmer and negotiate his or her participation as a host/announcer to drive up interest. Depending on who you get, that might work to increase your publicity and attendance. For example, they might do a phone interview with the local paper one week out to raise your profile.
One race I know gives out gift certificates instead of awards--!5 for dinner for first down to 5 at starbucks for 3rd. It seems pretty sucessful.
Good luck.
Former Member
I didn't know Gloucester was wetsuit only,
It's not wetsuit only but virtually no one swims without one.
