2019 Swim Defiance 3K and 5K Open Water Swims

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Registration Schedule

This competition is limited to the first 300 entrants.
Currently there are 58 entrants.

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Sanctioned by PNA for USMS Inc.

LOCATION: Owen Beach, Point Defiance Park, Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA

EVENTS: 3K (w/Julie Memorial Swim) or 5K swim

COURSE: Re-enact the 1926 Dalco Passage crossing. Round trip 5K triangular course swim and one way 3K linear course. Water temp is estimated at 56-60 degrees F.  Water jugs provided for rinsing at finish. Metro Parks restrooms at start/finish area and on the Ferry during crossing to 3K start.

TIME:
6:15 AM Swimmer check in opens
7:00 AM Mandatory swimmer Safety Briefing
7:30 AM 5K Race start
7:35 AM 3K swimmers leave Pt. Defiance to Tahlequah, Vashon Island on board WA State Ferry
8:00 AM 3K Race start and 3K Julie Montiel Friends and Family Wave Race start
8:30 AM Expected first 5K finisher
8:40 AM Expected first 3K finisher
9:30 AM 3K and 5K swimmer cut-off time

RACE DIRECTOR: Zena Courtney, home 253-927-3695, cell 206-651-0823 swimdefiance@bluewave-aquatics.com

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all 2019 registered Masters swimmers (USMS and MSC) 18 and older as of 07/21/2019. Swimmers not registered may sign up online for a $27 One-Event USMS registration.  

RULES: Current USMS rules will govern this event.  Neoprene wetsuits, swim safe buoy and race provided caps are required, unless swimmer has pre-approval. The wetsuit exemption form is available on the Rules page on the SD website at www.swimdefiance.com/registration#rules. To view USMS complete rules for open water events please visit USMS Rules and Regulations at www.usms.org/rules. Time limits are enforced for both swims: 3K – 1.5 hours, 5K – 2 hours.

SAFETY: Certified Lifeguards / Tacoma Maritime Institute / Law Enforcement safety boats will monitor the entire course. Body marking requred on hands. Competitors must wear a high visibility swim buoy (purchase information is on the website), the color-coded race cap, and a race chip provided by the host. There is a $20.00 charge for all lost chips. 

AWARDS: Custom participant award and caps to all competitors. A random drawing of merchandized prizes for participants and volunteers will be held while waiting for the last person to finish. Custom event awards for male and female in each event. 1st - 3rd place vintage medals will be presented to men and women in age groups 18-24, 25-29 ... 80+. Scrumptiouspost pre/post race refreshments and extra sponsor kudos for recycle and beach pick-ups!

ENTRY FEES:
$68.00 Early Bird Registration - April 15 - May 31st
$80.00 Online Registration June 1st - July 18th, 3K short course swim, including ferry crossing fee
$80.00 Online Registration June 1st - July 18th, 5k long course swim  
$95.00 Day of race registration, if available *Must present current USMS registration card 
$27.00 USMS One Day Event Fee for non USMS members

ONLINE ENTRIES ONLY: Online meet entry on Club Assistant. Online entry closes at 11:59 pm PDT on Thurs, July 18th
Please note: Your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "ClubAssistant.com Events." 

MERCHANDISE:

• Short Sleeve Performance Shirts $28.00 SM, MD, LG, XL, $30.00 2XL
• Swim Safe Buoys Medium $36.00 | Large $39.00

NO REFUNDS: There will be NO Refunds if these races must be cancelled due to adverse conditions, dangerous waters, or other safety decision or act of God.

USMS One-Event Fee: USMS offers a Swim One-Event entry fee for $27 to any USMS Sanctioned event. For $31 more, enjoy USMS membership for the remainder of the year and MORE USMS insured 2019 Open Water Swims! Membership also includes access to pool events, clinics, coaches and a USMS magazine subscription. Contact PNA registrar Stephanie Hiebert at pnregistrar@usms.org for more information.

RESULTS: Preliminary results available on race day and final results posted at www.swimdefiance.com the next day.

COLD WATER SWIMMING: Cold water swimming is not something one should jump into lightly. The Swim Defiance website has a page dedicated to cold water swimming information. Please take the time to read through the information. http://www.swimdefiance.com/ColdWaterSwimming.aspx

COLD WATER TRAINING: Cold water training for Swim Defiance is free for current Blue Wave members, swimmers with a USMS membership (verified) and swimmers who have registered for Swim Defiance (verified). The website has detailed information about our cold water swims; Swim course, locations and times, what to bring, facilities etc. Please go to http://www.swimdefiance.com for more information.

If you are planning to attend one of the swims, confirm with Zena: in person, email: swimdefiance@bluewave-aquatics.com or phone 206-651-0823 so we don't start the swim without you.

LOCATIONS & TIMES: Please see the website for detailed information about the swims http://www.swimdefiance.com

10 practice swims for the 2019 season will start June 13th and conclude July 16th

• June 13 | Thursday 7PM (high tide 8:51PM/slack tide 9:12PM) Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• [June 14 | Friday, RTB Friday Night Races 6PM]
• June 17 | Monday 7PM (slack tide 7:18PM) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• June 19 | Wednesday 7PM (slack tide 8:54PM) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• [June 23 | Sunday 9AM, Whidbey island Adventure Swim]
• June 27 | Thursday 7PM (slack tide 7:06PM) Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• June 30 | Sunday, 7:45AM (slack tide 8:42AM) Dash Point Pier Park (near Gino's Restaurant)
• July 2 | Tuesday, 7PM (slack tide 6:54PM) Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• July 3 | Wednesday, 7PM (slack tide 7:42PM) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• July 10 | Wednesday, 7PM (slack tide 6:24PM) at Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• July 11 | Thursday, 7PM (slack tide at 7:42PM) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• July 16 | Tuesday, 7PM (slack tide 7:00 PM) at Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• [July 19 | RTB Friday Night Races 6PM]

And every Sat, during the year, there is a unescorted mostly random group swim in Alki Beach, in West Seattle, meet at the bath house at 9:00 am. These swims are not associated with Swim Defiance or Blue Wave Aquatics. See Western Washington Open Water swimmers Facebook page for ad hoc planning.

DIRECTIONS FROM SEATTLE:
Take I5 South to Tacoma. Take exit 132B for WA-16 west toward Bremerton. Stay on WA16 for approximately 3 mi to Exit 3 for 6th Ave toward WA 163 N/Ruston. Turn left at end of off ramp onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3 mi on N Pearl Street to stop light at N 51st Street. Turn left on N 51st, go 0.5 mi and follow the bend to right as it becomes Mildred Street. Continue straight onto Mildred St for 0.2 mi to top of hill. Turn right at stop sign on Mildred St / Five Mile Drive. Go 0.1 mi to next stop sign, turn right at stop sign to stay on Five Mile Drive. Go 249 ft and turn left at next stop sign to stay on Five Mile Dr for 0.3 mi. Turn left at next stop sign to continue on Five Mile Road for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd. NO PARKING IN CARPOOL spot.

DIRECTIONS FROM OLYMPIA:
Take I5 North to Tacoma (about 26 mi). Take exit 132 for S 38th St. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for WA-16 West / Gig Harbor / Bremerton for 1.0 mi. Keep left to continue on WA-16 West for about 3.0 mi to Exit 3 for 6th Av toward WA-163 N/Ruston. Turn left at end of off ramp onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3 mi on N Pearl Street to stop light at N 51st Street. Turn left on N 51st, go 0.5 mi and follow the bend to right as it becomes Mildred Street. Continue straight onto Mildred St for 0.2 mi to top of hill. Turn right at stop sign on Mildred St / Five Mile Drive. Go 0.1 mi to next stop sign, turn right at stop sign to stay on Five Mile Drive. Go 249 ft and turn left at next stop sign to stay on Five Mile Dr for 0.3 mi. Turn left at next stop sign to continue on Five Mile Road for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd. NO PARKING IN CARPOOL spot.

LODGING: The Swim Defiance website has detailed information about accommodations, block rates and contact information. http://www.swimdefiance.com/accommodations.aspx

RACE DETAILS: The 5K electronic chipped swim is a triangular course that starts in the water at owen Beach by designated buoy, proceeds north toward Vashon Island toward onshore strobe light, makes two right hand turns around the outside of two tall yellow cylindrical buoys at 1.5 miles, and then heads south back to Owen Beach. The 3K swimmers will carpool from the finish area to walk on the Tahlequah (WA State Ferry), and enjoy a 15 minute ride to Vashon Island (use toilets onboard). Upon arrival, they enter water at the beach just west of the ferry terminal for the start. All swimmers will finish at Owen Beach with short run across a timing mat.

CHARITY:  Blue Wave Aquatics provides adult swim scholarships and free lessons for those in need, as well as providing funding for aquatic safety programs. More info on their webpage (www.bluewave-aquatics.com).  Donations may be made to Blue Wave Aquatics during this event's online entry.

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from ".BLUEWAVE-AQUATICS."