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
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.
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.
