26th Annual Minnetonka Challenge: 5 Mile Lake Swim / 10-Mile 2-person Relay

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Registration Schedule

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 26th Annual Minnetonka Challenge

5-Mile Open Water Swim

DATE: Saturday, July 28th 2012

START: Excelsior Beach, Lake Minnetonka

FINISH: Wayzata Beach, Lake Minnetonka

TIME:

Mandatory Check-in at least 30 min prior to your start time      5:45–6:30am
Pre-Race Meeting: Mandatory Swimmer & Escort briefing                   6:30am
3+ hours start!                                                                                            6:45am*
2½ - 3hours start!                                                                                       6:55am*
2¼ - 2½ hours start!                                                                                    7:05am*
Under 2¼ hours start!                                                                                7:15am*
*Escort boats dispatched from west Excelsior beach 5 min prior to start time.

ENTRIES:  
June 15  – July 10 - $40 ($105 Relay)*
July  11  – Race Day - $45 ($135 Relay)*; extra $15 per person on race day
Online Registration Closes midnight Friday July 20th
* A one time fee of $3.50 will be added to the total for Online Registration fees
Entry Fees are non-refundable. If the race is cancelled due to inclement weather or other uncontrollable circumstances, there will be no refunds (sorry). Online entry fees will be charged to your credit card by “ClubAssistant.com Events”. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover only.

SWIMMER ELIGIBILITY: Must be USMS registered (www.usms.org/reg) or USA Swimming.

AWARDS: Open to those without swimming aids. Overall top 3 men, top 3 women, top 3 relays (men, women, and mixed), plus the top finisher in each age group.

PARKING: Excelsior & Wayzata – public parking and meters

LAKE CONDITIONS: Temp about 76F (possible weeds, fish, wind, & fishing boats.)

Hosted by Hopkins Masters/ Genesis Aquatics (contacts below):

Event Rules

Relay Rules: All swimmers must be USMS registered.  All swimmers in the relay must complete the registration information.  The relay age group is based on the total (combined) age of the three swimmers.

General Rules:

• Positive check in
• Signed waiver
• Signed Special Event Certification Form regarding Aquatic Invasive Species
• Acknowledgement of receipt and reading of all AIS information
• Escort boat must cleaned and remain out of any water with AIS for a minimum of 30 days.
• PFD’s worn by all paddlers/escorts, and any in safety/course boats
• Event provided swim caps for visibility
• No paddles, Fins, wetsuits, or motors! for award recipients. Suits must be worn at all times – no naked swimming – please contact the race director if you have questions about swimwear.
• Must be at least half way by 8:30am
• Escort must have room for swimmer
• The relay age group is based on the age of the youngest swimmer.

USMS Open Water Rules:

1. In any event for which it has been arranged that an escort craft or paddler will accompany each swimmer throughout the event, all swimmers shall be accompanied by such an escort paddler or craft. If the escort paddler or craft becomes disabled or cannot continue to accompany the swimmer, the swimmer must either stay in the water next to the escort craft until a replacement arrives, or exit the water.
2. If the escort paddler or craft becomes disabled or cannot continue to accompany the swimmer, the swimmer must either stay in the water next to the escort craft until a replacement arrives, or exit the water.
3. If a swimmer’s escort becomes disabled as per article 303.2.1, an escort for another swimmer may assume responsibility for the swimmer with the disabled escort, subject to the following conditions:
      a. Any one paddler or craft may escort no more than two swimmers.
      b. The two swimmers must stay within 5 meters of each other. Failure to stay within 5 meters shall result in immediate disqualification of the second swimmer assigned to the escort and the immediate removal of that person from the water.
4. Swimmers shall not be assisted by escort craft as follows:
      a. Swimmers shall not receive flotation or propulsion from any escort craft nor make intentional contact with any craft.
      b.Drafting (swimmer swimming directly behind the escort) shall not be permitted when other open water is readily available.
      c.Escort boats shall not obstruct other swimmers in the race.

General Information:

Events:
5-mile Individual
5-mile Relay (2-mile, 2-mile, 1-mile) three swimmers

Relays: 2 & 3 person relays can compete as a team.  Swimmers will exchange places at Big Island and Spirit Island. Approximate distances are:

• Excelsior to Big Island: 2 miles
• Big Island to Spirit Island: 2 miles
• Spirit Island to Wayzata Beach: 1 mile

Race Time Limit: Swimmers must be at the half-way point by 8:30am.

Wetsuits and other swimming aids: Allowed, but swimmers will NOT be eligible for awards.

Registration: ONLINE REGISTRATION must be completed by midnight CST on July 20, 2012.

Safety:  Swimmers must check in on race day prior to 6:30 am. Swim caps will be provided and must be worn. Each swimmer must have an escort canoe and paddlers. Escorts must wear approved life jackets. Escort boats must have emergency flag (provided) and an extra life jacket for the swimmer. We encourage drinking water during your swim (preferably not the lake water).

Inclement weather:  If there is lightning/thunder, damaging winds, etc. in the area prior to the start the event will be delayed or cancelled. If there is inclement weather after the race has started, the race will be cancelled and swimmers/escorts should go to the nearest shore and wait for a safety boat to bring you to the finish in order to account for all participants. In either case, the entry fee will not be returned.

Escorts:  Escort boats must be registered/licensed, non-motorized and able to support paddlers and swimmer. Each escort boat will require a signed exotic species form required by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. Without this form you will not be allowed to swim. There will be NO canoes provided by the race committee. You must arrange your own support escort boat.

Start: Excelsior Beach

• Parking at Excelsior Beach – you can find off-street parking in the neighborhoods (please respect the laws and people’s community); you can also find meters (plan to bring a lot of quarters).
• Registration/Check in will be near the play ground area. If raining, this will be moved into the bath house. This is also where you can unload your canoes (best access to the water).
• The start will be on the north side of the beach, standing on the beach (out of the water). Escorts will wait outside of the swimming area and must begin escorting the swimmer within 50 meters of the end of the swimming area buoys.

Finish: Wayzata Beach

• Parking at Wayzata Beach – parking lot (some spaces require Wayzata permit)
• Fruit, muffins, and drinks provided at the beach
• Awards ceremony on the beach

Awards: 10:00-10:30 am Awards ceremony!

T-Shirts: All participants.

Mugs: Top Finisher in each age group (Male/Female) 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-40, ...

Towels: Top Three Finishers Overall

Relays: Top Three Female Teams, Top Three Male Teams, Top Three Co-ed Teams

Other Awards: Oldest Finisher, Oldest combined age Relay Finish, Finisher who lives farthest from Lake Minnetonka, Most Decorated Escorts... could be some others, too!

SPONSORS!

We would like to thank the following sponsors for all of their support:

                  

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "ClubAssistant.com Events."