August 12th, the Furthest North open water swim in North America! Located in Sitka, Alaska.
Men's and women's age group and Relay divisions will be awarded trophies and ribbons.
Solo or relay 10k, 5k and 1k open water swims in Sitka Sound, with a water temperature range in the mid 50’s. The course will start at the Mount Edgecumbe High School ramp on Japonski Island. The course will then take the swimmers north out of Sitka Channel and westward along the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historic Site and loop back to the Mt. Edgecumbe ramp to finish. A turnaround point in course will be available for those swimming the 5k and 1K distances.
Sanction pending with USMS.
Visit www.changeyourlatitude.org for more information.
Your evidence on the existence of a cold-acclimated skin cohort is compelling. But will they travel to Alaska? Perhaps I’ve forgotten my own history, as I swam the Peaks to Portland race a couple of times in the late ‘80’s and nobody wore wetsuits. But temps were low 60’s, not low 50’s, and distance was more like Nubble Light Challenge--a mere 2.4 miles.
Perhaps we (CYL 57dN) can adopt a policy similar to what they have at Nubble, whereas, “exceptions will be granted only to individuals who have proven experience (satisfactory to the race staff) with swimming in cold water races (below 60 degrees) without a wetsuit. Wetsuit waiver requests must be submitted to the Race Director at least ten days prior to the event."
I sure hate the thought of excluding anyone from this magnificent event if they can provide sufficient evidence that their participation does not present an unreasonable risk to their personal safety, the safety of others, or the goals that motivate our efforts.
I don’t know if I can arrange for a dozen swims on either side of the CYL event, but Sitka is blessed with an abundance of hiking trails, most along, within sight of or leading to some breathtaking body of water. Last year I led a group of swim participants to Heart Lake, and a few of us took the plunge—no wetsuits! I will make sure this aspect of the event is front and center on our developing website.
Are we making progress?
Your evidence on the existence of a cold-acclimated skin cohort is compelling. But will they travel to Alaska? Perhaps I’ve forgotten my own history, as I swam the Peaks to Portland race a couple of times in the late ‘80’s and nobody wore wetsuits. But temps were low 60’s, not low 50’s, and distance was more like Nubble Light Challenge--a mere 2.4 miles.
Perhaps we (CYL 57dN) can adopt a policy similar to what they have at Nubble, whereas, “exceptions will be granted only to individuals who have proven experience (satisfactory to the race staff) with swimming in cold water races (below 60 degrees) without a wetsuit. Wetsuit waiver requests must be submitted to the Race Director at least ten days prior to the event."
I sure hate the thought of excluding anyone from this magnificent event if they can provide sufficient evidence that their participation does not present an unreasonable risk to their personal safety, the safety of others, or the goals that motivate our efforts.
I don’t know if I can arrange for a dozen swims on either side of the CYL event, but Sitka is blessed with an abundance of hiking trails, most along, within sight of or leading to some breathtaking body of water. Last year I led a group of swim participants to Heart Lake, and a few of us took the plunge—no wetsuits! I will make sure this aspect of the event is front and center on our developing website.
Are we making progress?
