2019 SWIM COURSE
*** 2021 Swim course map will be published September 2021 ***
Enjoy the pristine swim along the Gulf of Mexico.
The swim segment is located east of transition, close to the Hampton Inn.
Athletes will swim out 100 yds, then head west for 400 yds, the final turn will take you 100 yds back to shore where the athlete will make their way towards the parking lot to transition.
SPECIAL NEEDS TABLE: There will be a table set up at the swim finish for the collection of eyeglasses, medications or other special needs items. Items must be clearly marked with name and race bib number.
The swim segment is located east of transition, close to the Hampton Inn.
Athletes will swim out 100 yds, then head west for 400 yds, the final turn will take you 100 yds back to shore where the athlete will make their way towards the parking lot to transition.
SPECIAL NEEDS TABLE: There will be a table set up at the swim finish for the collection of eyeglasses, medications or other special needs items. Items must be clearly marked with name and race bib number.
Timing Chips:
This event is chip-timed and scored. Athletes must use the chip issued to them at packet pickup.
Do not trade chips with other participants.
The chip is to be worn on either ankle during the entirety of the event.
Athletes are responsible for crossing the timing mats at the beginning and end of each segment (swim start through run finish).
NO CHIP = NO FINISH TIME
Swim Caps:
For the swim portion of the event, athletes must wear the swim cap provided in the race packet.
Do not trade your swim cap with another athlete, as they are color-coded based upon age grouping and swim wave assignment.
Swim Waves (time-trial start - if under pandemic protocol):
Athletes must start in their assigned swim wave (or time-trial order if pandemic protocol activated).
Per USAT Competition Rules, athletes starting in the incorrect wave will be disqualified.
Wetsuit Policy:
As the event is officially sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT), it will follow the USAT wetsuit policy. Notification of official water temperature will be broadcast via audio announcement (race-day morning) as well as via social media should the official water tempertaure be declared prior to race-day morning.
Those athletes electing to use a wetsuit in temperatures greater than 78F and less than 84F will begin the race in a catch-all, supplemental wave following the start of all other group-specific waves and will not be elegibile for awards. Said athletes will be listed in the official results and will also receive finisher medals.
USA Triathlon Competitive Rules (wetsuits)
REFER TO USAT PUBLICATION FOR OFFICIAL RULES LISTING
4.4 Wet suits.
a. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wet suit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater.
For the purpose of these rules, wetsuits are swimwear made of material providing thermal insulation. Wetsuits cannot exceed 5mm thickness anywhere. If the wetsuit is made in two pieces, the combined thickness in the overlapping areas may not exceed the 5 mm thickness limit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
4.5 Notice of Wet Suit Policy.
The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wet suit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable;
a. Any changes from Section 4.4;
b. Any specific restrictions on equipment;
c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.
4.6 Measuring Water Temperature.
It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed or mandatory on race day.
This event is chip-timed and scored. Athletes must use the chip issued to them at packet pickup.
Do not trade chips with other participants.
The chip is to be worn on either ankle during the entirety of the event.
Athletes are responsible for crossing the timing mats at the beginning and end of each segment (swim start through run finish).
NO CHIP = NO FINISH TIME
Swim Caps:
For the swim portion of the event, athletes must wear the swim cap provided in the race packet.
Do not trade your swim cap with another athlete, as they are color-coded based upon age grouping and swim wave assignment.
Swim Waves (time-trial start - if under pandemic protocol):
Athletes must start in their assigned swim wave (or time-trial order if pandemic protocol activated).
Per USAT Competition Rules, athletes starting in the incorrect wave will be disqualified.
Wetsuit Policy:
As the event is officially sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT), it will follow the USAT wetsuit policy. Notification of official water temperature will be broadcast via audio announcement (race-day morning) as well as via social media should the official water tempertaure be declared prior to race-day morning.
Those athletes electing to use a wetsuit in temperatures greater than 78F and less than 84F will begin the race in a catch-all, supplemental wave following the start of all other group-specific waves and will not be elegibile for awards. Said athletes will be listed in the official results and will also receive finisher medals.
USA Triathlon Competitive Rules (wetsuits)
REFER TO USAT PUBLICATION FOR OFFICIAL RULES LISTING
4.4 Wet suits.
a. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wet suit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater.
For the purpose of these rules, wetsuits are swimwear made of material providing thermal insulation. Wetsuits cannot exceed 5mm thickness anywhere. If the wetsuit is made in two pieces, the combined thickness in the overlapping areas may not exceed the 5 mm thickness limit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
4.5 Notice of Wet Suit Policy.
The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wet suit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable;
a. Any changes from Section 4.4;
b. Any specific restrictions on equipment;
c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.
4.6 Measuring Water Temperature.
It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed or mandatory on race day.
ALTERNATE SWIM COURSE
Of course we don't want to use our alternate swim but just in case the Gulf surf does not cooperate we have an alternate 600 yd swim.
Of course we don't want to use our alternate swim but just in case the Gulf surf does not cooperate we have an alternate 600 yd swim.
