Newbie Race Director looking for advice, tips, etc from other RDs and swimmers
I am new to putting on a swimming events and my first one will be a 2km, 5km and 10km ocean swims in Nanaimo BC, Canada. The 2km will be and out and back in the harbour, the 5km around a small island and the 10km around 2 islands. All distances will be with insight of the shore at all times and the 10km should have a a big push from the current at the end.
I have organized running events so I a general idea of what is needed, volunteers, sponsors, website etc.
What I am looking for is what makes a truly great open water event. Is it the route, weather, amount of support, # of boats, # of kayaks, pre/post race events, post race food, prizes etc.
What in your opinions makes a race great.
As well if there are any RDs out there with any tips or tricks I am all ears.
Thanks in advance.
I have organized running events so I a general idea of what is needed, volunteers, sponsors, website etc.
What I am looking for is what makes a truly great open water event. Is it the route, weather, amount of support, # of boats, # of kayaks, pre/post race events, post race food, prizes etc.
What in your opinions makes a race great.
As well if there are any RDs out there with any tips or tricks I am all ears.
Thanks in advance.
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
Comments
Yes I am beginning to see that. I am working with a few local clubs (kayak and yacht clubs) to see what they can do for me.
Yes I am for the 10 km only and that would be around the 4km mark. I like the European Masters time cut off method. But I may give the people the option to switch to the 5km race at that point.
Yes they come and go. I need to talk with the city and the harbour master about them to see if I can ensure they are not there on race day.
I am thinking for the longer races a 1:1 swimmer/kayak ratio but could I get away with a 1:2 or 1:3 swimmer/boat ratio? As I would assume the boats would only be there for safety.
The shorter race I would just have a kayak or boat around every 250m or so. Or would it be better to have a 1:5 ratio?
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
@SalishSea, I am not a RD, but I am an OW swimmer and I've done events from 2K to 10 miles. So I will solely answer your above question. Here is my priority list for "what makes a truly great open water event:"
1) Safety (boats/kayaks)
2) Route (and that includes the route actually being the distance it is supposed to be). I have two sub-bullets under route:
2a) The fewer loops the better. Out and back is great. Even around an island is good. If your 10K is around two islands and not around the 5K island twice, then that's awesome. Worse is a multiple-lap course. They do a 10K here in DC which is 6 laps. Oy!
2b) Buoys. The longer the distance btwn turns, the more intermediate buoys that are needed. If you're going to line buoys around the island and instruct swimmers to "keep all buoys on your" __LEFT or RIGHT__, then make sure you got a lot of them. I don't know, every 200m or so? 250?
3) Pre- and post-swim events, if only so my wife and kids don't get bored for the 3+ hours I'll be swimming the 10K!
4) Food. Nice to have, but sometimes at smaller events, us slow swimmers have little (to no) food by the time we're done!
5) Weather. Not much you can do about the weather.
Some things you didn't ask but I'll add: I like to get a t-shirt. If I paid the registration fee, give me a shirt. (Not all races do this.) Swag bag filled with more than just coupons for shops. Also, and I'd put this between #2 and #3: Rules listed and swimmers DQ'd if they don't follow them. Little worse than being passed by someone in your age group swimming with a pull-buoy.
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
@IronMike Just one loop or figure 8 around 2 islands. Not planning on any buoys. I am planning on measuring the distance at a reasonable distance (~200m) from shore and if a swimmer can safely swim closer that is up to them. There will be a T-shirt, whats the point in racing if there is no shirt! And yes lots of food. I am working with a local First Nations band to do a traditional salmon cook for us. Fingers crossed it works out.
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
Sharko
"I never met a shark I didn't like"
Thanks in advance.
Ocean-Swim-Saftey-Plan-2014-V1.1.pdf
Nanaimo Ocean Swim - http://www.viendurance.net/nanaimo-ocean-swim/
Hand Held Marine Radio (and know how to use it)
Cell Phone
Timing Device
Boats should be required to have at least 2 radios. If they only have one and it goes dead, they are pretty much useless out there.
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
http://notdrowningswimming.com - open water adventures of a very ordinary swimmer
In other words... invoke community, sharing and conversation or do your best to enable it as best you can. FB , texting , skype &forums only go so far in knowing people.