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.
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.
