2019 Finger Lakes Open Water Swim Festival – USMS Sanction # 049-W001

Thank you to all of our swimmers, sponsors and volunteers for yet another succesful event! Below are links to the 2019 event online and pdf results.
10mi Results – PDF
Sunday events results including 2mi, 1mi and .5mi – Online
Sunday events results including 2mi, 1mi and .5mi – PDF

2019 Finger Lakes Open Water Swim Festival

September 21-22, 2019

  • 10 Mile on September 21 (max of 25 swimmers)
  • 2 Mile, 1 Mile and .5 Mile on Sunday, September 22
  • Seneca  Lake

Charities – View the charities we support.

SWIMMER REGISTRATION
Not a USMS member? No problem! Registered swimmers must either be a USMS member or select the $31 “one day USMS event membership” in order to register for any swim in our event.

RACE FORMAT FOR 2019

Date/Time: 10 Mile Swim on September 21, 2019 (max of 25 swimmers).  September 22, 2019 at 8am (2 mile), 9:15am (1 Mile), and 10am (.5 Mile).   Swimmers may enter multiple distances. 

10 Mile Swim registration is Friday, September 20th at 5pm followed by a course review and dinner as a group to meet support crew and volunteers.  The 10 mile check-in on Saturday, September 21st  is 7am with loading to start soon after for a swim start time at approximately 8a.m.   The swim concludes at 3pm.  September 22, 2018 events – registration and warm-ups from 7:15–7:45am (2 mile), 7:15-9am (1 mile), 7:15-9:45am (.5 Mile).  Mandatory meeting and line-up for all swimmers starting 15 minutes before each race. Awards table open at the completion of each distance to pick up awards.  To accommodate the multiple event format and to allow swimmers to swim multiple distances, there will only be an awards table for pick up versus a formal awards presentation.  Swimmers may enter multiple events.

Location/Directions: Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen, NY. Registration and Event held at Clute Park, 155 S Clute Park Dr, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

Eligibility: The event is sanctioned by USMS.  We are also a member of the Global Swim Series (GSS).  You must be an active USMS or Masters Swim Canada (MSC) member.   USMS One Event Registration is not available for this event.   It is up to each swimmer to understand their limitations, properly train and only enter distances you feel you are capable of swimming.   An entry fee discount is offered for swimmers participating in 2 or more events.  Due to USMS Sanctioning, all swimmers must be 18 and over.   You must bring proof of your USMS/MSC membership to event day.

Rules: The event regulated by United States Masters Swimming.

Conditions: The course for the 10 mile swim on 9/21/2019 is an out and back course on the open lake where you will stay close to the western shore line.  Course for 9/22/2019 is an out and back course starting at Clute Park.  The course is a 1 mile loop on the eastern shore line with navigation and turn buoy indicator for the .5 mile distance.  The 2 mile is 2 loops of the 1 mile course.  In water start.  The safety of swimmers is our prime concern; therefore, the swimming event may be delayed or canceled due to bad weather.  The USMS Safety Director will make this decision.   Due to many upfront costs, there will be no refunds once the swimmer has entered the race.

Entry Fees: For events on 9/22/2019 – $50 pre-registration by June 30, 2019, $60 by July 31, 2019 and $75 by September 13, 2019. On-line registration closes September 13, 2019 at 11pm EST. Swimmers may enter multiple events on Sunday, and each additional event is $20. Race day registration is available for $85 entry fee for 1st event, $15 for each additional event. Fees include t-shirts for registrations received by August 15, 2019, refreshments, permits, insurance, timing, caps, placement awards, t-shirt and race bags. After August 15, race shirts are available as supply lasts.   10 Mile Swim – $300, plus an optional $100 for us to provide you a kayaker or $50 to rent a kayak for your own kayaker.  The entry fee  includes the pre event meal on Friday night and light food for pre and post event on Saturday, sanctioning, permits, insurance, timing, caps, placement awards, t-shirt and race bag.

Clock Timing: Clock timing is used for the 10 mile distance.   Sunday distances will be chip timing.    Results and awards will be available soon after the last swimmer is done in each race; awards will then be available for pick up at the awards table.   Awards will not be mailed.

Awards: Awards are in compliance with USMS age groups for both wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories.   Age groups are: 18 -24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-50, 50-54,  55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84,  85-89, etc.   Awards will be available at the awards table for pick-up at the completion of each event. Results will be posted at www.fingerlakesopenwaterswimming.com.

Safety – Our Primary Concern: For safety reasons, swimmers unable to complete a mile in 45 minutes are advised not to enter multiple events because we’ll start each event timely.   Swimmers still on the course at 10:45am will be stopped and listed as DNF in the results.   In case of inclement weather, the safety director may close the course and prevent swimmers from completing the swim.  Entry fee includes a highly visible swim cap that must be worn as the top cap during the swim and all swimmers must have their race number on the provided cap.  Since swimmers can enter multiple events, we will not do body marking.  Therefore, it is critical swimmers wear the assigned cap for each distance.   Lifeguards, safety boats, and kayaks will monitor the entire race course.   Medical cards are available at day of registration for you to complete if you would like to alert us to potential issues (i.e. diabetes, allergies).  For the 10 Mile Swim each swimmer must have a kayak escort.   Patrol boats will also be on the course for monitoring and safety.   The course will stay close to shore line.

Water Temperature: Based on historical trends the water can range from 55 to 74°F

Accommodations: Please see www.fingerlakesopenwaterswimming.com for a list of local hotels and area attractions.

For more information please see www.fingerlakesopenwaterswimming.com or contact Bridgette Hobart via email at bhobart@ptcllc.com, or via phone at 973.663.3663.

Any questions, please contact event director Bridgette Hobart at 973-663-3663 or 862-432-0357 (mobile).

Course maps, T-shirts and goodie bags are available at check-in.

Check out the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce page for local things to do.

Results

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