The Course Qualifying Requirements Qualifying Swims Affiliated Swims Fun Swim Pricing Travel FAQs OS Open Water Swim Forum 2011 Athlete Guide 2011 Results

 

FAQs

• Registration
• The Course
• Relays
• Training
• The Swim

 

Registration

1. What if I cannot complete a qualifying swim prior to August 8, 2011?
   We will be providing lifeguard checkout swims on July 23rd if you cannot attend a qualifying swim.
   
2. What if I am from out of town and cannot participate in a lifeguard checkout for the 1.2-mile swim?
   If you have previously completed a swim of a similar distance, that may qualify you. Otherwise, please contact us at info@distanceswimchallenge.com and we will try to arrange something.
   
3. If I have completed a race longer than a 10K will that qualify me?
   Yes. Any swim longer than the distance you are registering for will qualify you.
   
4. Can I do a qualifying-distance swim on my own and provide GPS data in order to qualify?
   Unfortunately, no. We can only accept qualifying data from an official swimming event or a sanctioned lifeguard checkout.

 

The Course

1. How do I cross the Marina Del Rey inlet?
   Swimmers must cross on the outside (West) of the breakwater wall.

 

Relays

1. If I participate in a relay will you provide transportation to and from the relay points?
   No. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from relay points, the start and finish.
   
2. If I do a relay, can I leave my bike or belongings at my starting point?
   We will provide a bag check at each starting point. You can retrieve your bag at the finish line. All other belongings including bikes are the responsibility of the participant.
   
3. What are the different distances in which I can participate as a relay team?
   There is a 4-leg 4.8-mile relay and an 8-leg 12.6-mile relay. Please visit the Course page for more information.
   
4. Can our relay team split up the 12.6-mile or 4.8-mile course into any distances we want?
   No. The distances are all predetermined. Please visit either the Course page or the home page with the map for the distances.
   
5. Can one person participate in more than one leg of the relay?
   Yes. However, you are responsible for your own transportation to each leg of the relay.
   
6. Do we have to have 8 people for the 12.6-mile 8-stage relay or 4 people for the 4.8-mile 4-stage relay?
   No. You can do the relays with as few people as you like. Please note that each participant will have to come out of the water at each checkpoint regardless of the number of consecutive legs they are swimming.
   
   Also note, you cannot exceed 8 participants for the 12.6-mile relay or 4 participants for the 4.8-mile relay.
7. Can we use one kayaker for the 12.6-mile relay or does each relay participant need a separate kayaker?
   Swimmers doing the full 12.6 miles, or swimmers participating in the 12.6-mile relay with 4 or less people are required to have a kayak escort. All other participants are not required to have an escort.

 

Training

1. How do I train for the 12.6-mile swim?
   Please visit the training section of our website to see sample training plans. Additionally, you can participate in our ocean training swims every Sunday.
   

 

The Swim

1. Will there be hydration and nutrition stations at each beach checkpoint?
   Yes. Enjoy!
   
2. What is the medical staff looking for at the beach checkpoints?
   The staff needs to verify that you are physically and mentally capable of continuing on. This is evaluated at each checkpoint and participants can be pulled from the swim if deemed unsafe to continue.
   
3. How will the in/outs effect my final finish time?
   Your finish time will be cumulative, including all ins and outs on the beach.
   
4. I don't know what my finish time will be. Do I just estimate?
   Yes. Please estimate and be generous in your estimation.
   
5. Are there online resources discussing ocean conditions in August?
   Yes! You can try:
   
   - The National Oceanographic Data Center
   - The Weather Channel
   - So Cal Coastal Ocean Observing System
   - Surfline
   - Watch The Water
   
6. Are wetsuits allowed?
   Yes, for all but the USMS Division.
7. Are there separate wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions?
   There will not be a specific non-wetsuit division except for the USMS division, in which wetsuits are not allowed.
8. What are the different distances in which I can participate as an individual?
   1.2-miles, 2.4-miles, 4.8-miles and 12.6-miles. Please visit the Course page for more information.
   
9. Do we have to come into the beach at each leg of the swim? That seems like a lot of work - why are you making it so complicated?
   Yes. You have to come in at each leg of the swim. This is for medical purposes. The staff needs to verify that you are physically and mentally capable of continuing on.
   
10. What type of in-water support (i.e. nutrition) will be offered?
    We will not be offering in-water support, however we will provide hydration and nutrition at each beach checkpoint.
    
    If you are swimming the full 12.6-mile distance, you are required to have a kayaker and can have nutrition in your kayak.
    
11. What is the youngest age to participate?
    14 years old.
12. If I stop swimming or touch a paddle board or kayak am I disqualified?
    No. You can stop and rest as often as necessary and you will not be disqualified. However, keep in mind you must reach certain beaches by the cutoff time or you will not be allowed to continue.