2023 Fat Salmon Open Water Swim (3.2 miles)

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Registration Schedule

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WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2023

WHERE: MADISON PARK BEACH on Lake Washington  (1900 43rd Ave E, Seattle WA) - Pre-race check-in and finish line of the swim

COURSE: Point-to-point course will follow the western shore of the lake from I-90 in a straight line marked with buoys.  In water start immediately offshore from Day Street Boat Ramp, finish across timing mats on shore at Madison Park Beach; participants will need to ascend 4 stairs at the completion of this race.  Water temperatures are typically 67-73 degrees fahrenheit during the summer but can vary significantly; be prepared for a cold swim.  See RACE MAP.

RACE-DAY SCHEDULE:

• 6:00 - 7:00 AM: MANDATORY Check-in
• 7:05 AM: Pre-Race Meeting - MANDATORY for all swimmers
• 7:20 AM: Carpool to 3.2-mile start at Day Street Boat Ramp (1402 Lakeside Ave S, Seattle, WA)
• 8:15 AM: Start 1st wave from Day Street Boat Ramp, swimmers will be sent off in 5 separate waves scheduled every 3 minutes.

SAFETY: Large buoys (approx. every 1/2 mile) will mark the course. Motor boats, kayaks and lifeguards will be located along the perimeter of the course. Swimmers must wear the swim caps provided at check-in. A MANDATORY safety meeting will be held before the event start. Friends and family who are not registered for this event cannot swim along with you. 

RULES: Current USMS rules will govern this event. Wetsuits and full-body swimsuits are allowed in the wetsuit division.  In the unlikely event that the water temperature exceeds 78 degrees fahrenheit, wetsuits will not be allowed.   No additional devices to help speed, pace, buoyancy, or endurance are allowed (such as MP3 players, pull buoys, webbed gloves, fins, snorkels, etc.).  Any questions, refer to USMS guidelines.  Due to the large number of swimmers, personal float buoys for identification and safety are not permitted without special advance permission of race director.   Those who use a personal float buoy will be classified in the "wet suit" division per USMS rules.

MORE ABOUT SAFETY & PULLING SWIMMERS: We must maintain a certain swimmer-to-boat ratio to keep our permit AND, more importantly, to keep everyone safe. Swimmers will have 2 hours to complete this event; Swimmers who fall too far behind the back or are not on pace to complete the swim within 2 hours will be pulled from the course at 1.5 mile and 2.5 mile markers.

MORE RULES:

• Sorry, there are not any refunds or exchange of entries for any reason. 
• Do not register for this event if your estimated time to complete this 3.2 mile open water swim is more than 2 hours. When you register you will be asked to provide an estimated time to complete this open water swim so we may assign you to the proper wave group.
• NO filling of no-show slots - Someone else cannot swim for you - this jeopardizes our insurance and our ability to offer this event in the future.
• There will be NO SWIMMING if you have not checked in ON TIME and attended the pre-race safety meeting.
• Swimmers are required to check in as they enter the water at race start and check out as they exit the water at the race finish.

TRANSPORTATION / PARKING / CARPOOLING:  There is limited parking in the area of the event so carpooling is encouraged as much as possible.  We are guests of the neighborhoods for this event so please observe and respect parking regulations.  Swimmers are responsible for their own transportation from the check-in location at Madison Park Beach to the race start at Day Street Boat Launch (3 miles).  We will encourage the formation of carpools at the conclusion of the pre-race safety meeting.  Offer a ride to a fellow swimmers and fill up your car if driving to the starting point.  If you got a ride to the starting point, please offer a ride back to the starting point after the race to your driver.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: We will conduct the event in accordance with local health guidelines related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 if applicable.  Attendees should be prepared to comply with these guidelines such as face covering requirements should they be necessary.

AWARDS:   Each registered participant will be given one 2023 Fat Salmon event t-shirt, size to be selected during the event registration.    Click here for T-Shirt specifications (color is TBD).  Awards will be available for the top three finishers in all 5-yr age groups, in both divisions.  Your age as of December 31, 2023 determines your age group for awards.  Special prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female swimmers in both the wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions of the 3.2-Mile Race.

MERCHANDISE: Fat Salmon 2023 Hoodies  are available to order during the registration process for $40 through June 15th only.  Click here for Hoodie specifications (color is TBD).  The artwork on hoodie will match the artwork on the front of the t-shirt.  Artwork is still under development as of April 2023.  All merchandise must be picked up at the event. 

ELIGIBILITY:

• Swimmers must be 18 years of age as of July 15, 2023 AND:
  • Currently registered with USMS or FINA or Canadian Masters Swimming (FINA or Canadian Masters swimmers must email proof of current year masters registration valid on the date of the event to registration@fatsalmonswim.com) OR
  • Pay an additional $20 “One-Event USMS Registration” fee.

Entry fees (pre-registration only available online):

$80.00 – April until May 29
$90.00 – May 30 - June 15
$100.00 - June 16 - July 9
$110.00 - Late Registration and Day of Race (if available)
$20.00 – "One-Event" USMS registration (as needed, see eligibility)
Online Entries are paid by credit card to "Fat Salmon"


WANT TO SWIM FOR FREE?: We are offering a free registration in the form of a refund AFTER THE EVENT if you provide two kayak/paddleboard volunteers (each with their own kayaks or SUPs) OR one motorboat adult volunteer with their one motorcraft on the day of the event.  This refund is only for the Fat Salmon entry fee (excludes one-event USMS registration fee if applicable).    To ensure we know a kayak/SUP/boating volunteer is volunteering on your behalf, have them let us know when they register to volunteer at:  kayaks@fatsalmonswim.com (for kayakers and SUPS) and boats@fatsalmonswim.com (for power boaters)


REGULAR REGISTRATION CLOSES on July 9th at 11:59 pm PDT or sooner if full to capacity.

If space permits, late registration will be offered starting July 13th.  We do not expect to offer late registration in 2023 as all spots filled by June 4th.



WETSUIT and NON-WETSUIT DIVISION CHANGES:  If you are already registered and want to change from non-wetsuit to wetsuit division (or vice-versa), it is easiest for you and for us if you submit this change via email registration@fatsalmonswim.com   by end of day July 9th.  If you are not sure by July 9th, you can do so the morning of the event by requesting this change at the "change" table.  The US Masters Swimming Rule Book section for Open Water Events is strict about what qualifies as "non-wetsuit". Article 303.4 says Category I Swimwear (non-wetsuit) can only include "a swimsuit, cap or caps [including neoprene], and goggles". If it doesn't fit Category I then it is Category II - wetsuit.


IMPORTANT LINKS: Facebook, FS FAQs, Safety and Time Guidelines

Kayakers/SUPs are needed.  Have them send an email to kayaks@fatsalmonswim.com  
Motor Boats, & Jet Skis are also needed! Contact us at boats@fatsalmonswim.com 
Other volunteers may contact us at volunteers@fatsalmonswim.com 

If you have questions about your registration contact Larry Mayer, Fat Salmon Registration Coordinator via email at registration@fatsalmonswim.com.  

Still have questions? Contact Jim Lasersohn, Race Director
via email: racedirector@fatsalmonswim.com

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "FAT SALMON SWIM."