Deep breath.....
Lets use this thread to make recommendations or create a wish list of changes we would like see made to the sanctioning / insurance process. I think there are a bunch of good ideas buried in the "stupid people" thread... so I expect a little bit of cut and paste will be in order. Please educate yourselves by reading the relevant documents.
Peace, love, and positive buoyancy.....
Its my understanding that USA Swimming requirements would exclude most swims in Alaska. I am the race director for the Sitka swim, Change Your Latitude, and we looked into USA sanctions for last year as we include a 1k open to 18 and younger swimmers. There is a temperature requirement that both Pennock Island and the Sitka swim are 5 or so degrees under. It also seemed to have a lot of water quality testing requirements. (which for lakes and other confined waterways I understand, but for the Pacific Ocean in remote Alaska?) Last year we purchased our own policy for those participating who were under 18, and this year we have elected to secure a policy (both participant and volunteer policies) for our entire event. It is a bit more expensive but not so much so that we are out of budget, I just had to delay the possible purchase of dedicated swim buoys for our course markers.
One of the questions that I have had going around in my head about the sanctioning and/or recognizing of OW events is the exposure it brings LMSCs and USMS. Our swim has used the logos of both AKMS and USMS to bring a level of credibility to our event, but it also demonstrates the credibility to the organizations that they are present at the local level all across the country. I would guess that the sheer drop in USMS and LMSC involvement in the hundreds of events across the country is going to hurt the stature and PR they gain.
I really would like to include USMS and AKMS in our promotional materials, using the event as a potential recruitment tool both locally and beyond. Besides the more sponsor logos the better right...
Its my understanding that USA Swimming requirements would exclude most swims in Alaska. I am the race director for the Sitka swim, Change Your Latitude, and we looked into USA sanctions for last year as we include a 1k open to 18 and younger swimmers. There is a temperature requirement that both Pennock Island and the Sitka swim are 5 or so degrees under. It also seemed to have a lot of water quality testing requirements. (which for lakes and other confined waterways I understand, but for the Pacific Ocean in remote Alaska?) Last year we purchased our own policy for those participating who were under 18, and this year we have elected to secure a policy (both participant and volunteer policies) for our entire event. It is a bit more expensive but not so much so that we are out of budget, I just had to delay the possible purchase of dedicated swim buoys for our course markers.
One of the questions that I have had going around in my head about the sanctioning and/or recognizing of OW events is the exposure it brings LMSCs and USMS. Our swim has used the logos of both AKMS and USMS to bring a level of credibility to our event, but it also demonstrates the credibility to the organizations that they are present at the local level all across the country. I would guess that the sheer drop in USMS and LMSC involvement in the hundreds of events across the country is going to hurt the stature and PR they gain.
I really would like to include USMS and AKMS in our promotional materials, using the event as a potential recruitment tool both locally and beyond. Besides the more sponsor logos the better right...
