AGAIN IN 2024! The start line for the 1500-metre swim has been moved to Britannia Park Surfers Beach. The new location allows us to offer a beach start with a limited number of swimmers. Registration fees are the same as for the Classic 3K swim.
Swim Packet Pick-up and Late Registration: Please check in on Friday, July 12th between 4 pm & 7 pm at the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC), 3259 Carling Avenue, at Dick Bell Park. While you’re there, check out the course, swim start line, and club facilities. This year we are selling BOTB sport towels so make sure to bring some cash! Enjoy a beverage and pre-race meal or snack on the Nepean Sailing Club’s deck. Alternatively, limited packet pick-up is available on Swim Day between 7 and 7:30 am. We strongly encourage you to come Friday evening to avoid congestion on race-day morning. Your friends or family can also pick up your race kit if you cannot make it in person.
Timing and results will be provided, although there will only be overall awards for this category, no age group awards. Swimmers in the 1500-metre swim will accumulate participation points and overall rank points towards the “BOTB Team Challenge”!
Safety and Swim Rules: There will be boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards patrolling the course. Swimmers may stop and hold onto a boat for the purpose of rest and recovery. No individual escorts are allowed! Swim caps must be worn during the race and are included with your race kit. Please write your assigned swim cap number on each side of your swim cap. Goggles are strongly recommended. There are no restrictions on wetsuits. Awards will be presented in both non-wetsuit and wetsuit categories. Fins, paddles, swim buoys, and other swim aids are NOT permitted. Violators will not be eligible for awards. Music listening devices are NOT allowed. We want you to be able to hear commands from our water safety team, possible distress calls from fellow swimmers, and cheers from the spectators on the 15 sailboats along the course!
Swim Start: Bring your swimsuit, wetsuit (optional), goggles (recommended), pre-race nutrition, hydration, and sunscreen. Swim caps are mandatory and are included in your race kit. We will provide you with a bag to drop off your shoes and extra clothing, which we will transport to the finish line. If you prefer, bring your own bag or knapsack for easier identification at the finish line. We will provide a tag with your assigned race number.
The swim will begin at 8:45 am sharp!!! You may warm up before the swim but please be out of the water by 8:15 am. Please follow instructions so we can get the swim started on time. Please make sure your assigned swim cap number is on both sides of your swim cap. The swim cap must be worn throughout the duration of the swim.
This will be a beach start. You will cross a timing mat before entering the water to begin your swim. We will assign two groups of swimmers according to estimated swim times. Faster swimmers will be in the first group.
The Swim: The course will be well marked. There will be large swim markers. As well, at least 15 sailboats will be anchored along the course with sailors cheering you on. Keep all the swim markers and sailboats to your right. Sailboats along the way will display ‘distance-to-go’ signboards. They will be numbered from 1400 metres to 100 metres of remaining distance until approaching the finish line.
There are two turns on the course; the first at 850 metres and the second at 750 metres. There will be an inflatable unicorn (beach toy) in addition to the mark at each turn. Swim around the outside of the marks at each turn, keeping them on your right. Please see the map.
The 1500-metre course will join the Classic 3K course with 750 metres remaining. There will be a few 3K swimmers on the course for the remainder of your swim.
Plenty of kayaks, safety boats, and sailboats will be on the course to offer guidance and rest opportunities. If you need to remove yourself from the swim, we will provide you with transport to the finish line. Volunteer medical staff will be available at the finish line. Swimmers requiring medical attention during the swim may be transported prior to reaching the finish line. Remember to return your timing chip if you leave the swim early.
We have imposed a time limit of 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the swim. Remaining swimmers may be picked up from the water for swimmer safety.
Finish Line: Four red side-by-side ladders are installed along a sloping wall to exit the water. Please check the attached photo of the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC) from the waterside. Navigate by sighting the red roof of the building with the white awning to the left. As you approach the club, the ladders will be plainly visible. Please don’t delay climbing the ladder to avoid congestion in the water. As you climb the ladder, a timing mat located on the wall behind the ladders will electronically record your chip time. Please continue to climb the ladder and wear your swim cap until you reach the top of the ladder.
Shuttle buses are available to transport you, your family, and friends from the finish line back to the start. A continuous flow of buses will travel to and from Britannia Park (Ron Kolbus Centre) to BYC and NSC every 5-10 minutes after the swim start until all swimmers have returned. Please ask your family and friends to consider using this option and leave the car behind at Britannia Park or NSC. It WILL be quicker and easier than driving to BYC.
If your family/friends choose to drive to BYC (not recommended), very limited parking is available in the BYC parking lot. Additional parking will be available on nearby streets with lots of restrictions. Please ask everyone to follow the directions of the parking volunteers, as we must keep certain routes clear for public transit.
Awards Presentation: A short awards presentation will take place at approximately 9:30 am. Awards medals will be presented to the top 3 male and female overall winners in both wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories. There will be no age group awards.
All participants will receive a beautiful finisher’s medal designed by Graham Ross, owner of Kid With a Crayon Art & Design. Plenty of prizes will be available, so stick around! Results will be provided onsite by Sportstats.
Bring On The Bay 