2013 Tallchief Open Water Challenge

Registration Schedule

EVENT: 6th Annual Tallchief Open Water Challenge

DISTANCES: 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile or 2 mile swim, and the optional 3 mile swim for those who complete the 2 mile course in 1 hr 10 mins or faster.

Proceeds of this event will benefit the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma Camp Tallchief Scholarship Fund and Tulsa Masters Swim Club.

DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 8, 2013, 9 am CST

LOCATION: Tallchief Lake, Zink Ranch, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

SPONSORED BY:  Jenks Community Education and Tulsa Masters Swim Club

EVENT HOST: Tulsa Masters Swim Club (TMSC)

EVENT DIRECTOR: Denise Smart, denises@webzone.net, 918-749-2253 (evenings)

SAFETY OFFICER: Dewey Smith

VENUE: Tallchief Lake is a private lake on the Zink Ranch property. There will be no outside boat traffic. Expected water temperature greater than 80 degrees. This lake is NOT connected to nearby Skiatook Lake.

PARKING: Plenty of parking available at the Tallchief Lodge, no charge. Please note, you will walk approximately 1/4 mile downhill to the water front. Wear sturdy shoes!

COURSE: The swim course is an out and back, clock- wise course (buoys on your right) marked by large regatta buoys.

• The 1/4 mile swimmers will swim out 1/8 mile & return to the finish.
• The 1/2 mile swimmers will swim out 1/4 mile & return to the finish.
• The 1 mile swimmers will swim one full lap of the entire course.
• The 2 mile swimmers will swim 2 laps of the entire course.

SAFETY: Swimmers must wear the swim cap provided in the color that designates the event entered. Please notify the event director if you have a latex allergy.

Swimmers are required to attend the pre-race briefing at 8:50 am at the water front.

The swim course will be monitored by persons in kayaks, and canoes. A rescuer will be stationed in a power boat monitoring the course in the event an evacuation is necessary.

A head count by race number of all swimmers entering the water will occur at the start of each wave of swimmers.

1 and 2 mile swimmers will be required to announce their race number to an official stationed at the turn around. The 2 mile swimmers will also be required to announce their race number to the official standing on the boat dock prior to starting their 2nd lap.

Those opting for the 3 mile swim must complete the 2 mile course in 1 hr 10 mins or less. These swimmers will cross the finish line to get their official 2 mile time and declare their intention to swim a 3rd lap of the course to the designated race official. The swimmer will be directed to reenter the water at that time.

WET SUITS: Wet suits may be worn at your own risk. Please do not enter this event if you do not think you can complete the swim without a wet suit. The water temperature will be in excess of 80 degrees, combined with an average air temperature above 75 degrees. Swimmers in wet suits are at risk of overheating and excessive dehydration. Swimmers wearing wet suits will not be eligible for awards. Swimmers who will swim in a wet suit must declare this when they check in.

OTHER EQUIPMENT: While this event is not sanctioned by USMS or USA Swimming, it is a swim competition. It is implied that other swim aids, including fins, paddles, pull buoys, snorkels, kick boards, etc. are not allowed. A swimmer may tow a personal safety float, such as the ISHOF SaferSwimmer Float  http://www.ishof.org/safety/ssd.htm

SWIMMERS WHO DROP OUT OF THE RACE AFTER A POSITIVE CHECK IN ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY AN OFFICIAL AT THE FINISH LINE!!!

ELIGIBILITY: Open to swimmers age 9 and above as of September 8, 2013, WHO ARE COMFORTABLE SWIMMING IN THE DEEP OPEN WATER OF A LAKE.

Event is limited to 150 swimmers. Enter early!

The 1/4 mile (~ 400m pool equivalent) event is open only to swimmers ages 9 and 10 (as of September 8, 2013). 1/4 mile swimmers will have a separate start. 1/4 mile swimmers may also request a ‘swim buddy’, an experienced open water swimmer, who will accompany the child during the swim. 

The 1/2 mile (~800m pool equivalent) event is open to swimmers ages 11 and 12 (as of September 8, 2013) and adults 18 and over. 1/2 mile swimmers will also have a separate start.

The 1 mile, 2 mile, and optional 3 mile event are open to swimmers who are at least 13 years old (as of September 8, 2013). 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Online entries only through 11:00 pm CST Wednesday, September 4, 2013. Fee increases to $45 on Race Day. Registration will close at 8:15 am sharp!! No exceptions.  

Please note: credit cards will be charged by “ClubAssistant.com Event Billing.

Entry Fee: $33 ( $30 entry fee + Club Assistant fee) if entering on line by September 4, 2013.

Race Day entries:  Race day entries are accepted: $45. Enter early to avoid late fee.  

All participants receive a swim cap, t-shirt, finisher medal, and a ticket for the pancake breakfast.

This is a "chip- timed" event provided by Tatur Racing.

Event is limited to 150 swimmers! Enter early!

                                                                      -- NO REFUNDS --

Refunds:
Due to the cost and effort associated to stage this event, no refunds will be issued. This includes, but is not limited to, life situations precluding a pre-paid entrant from starting the event, and unforeseeable acts of nature such as thunderstorms or an unsafe environment resulting in the cancellation of the event.

Registration/ Check in closes at 8:15 am sharp on race day! 

T-SHIRTS: One-of-a-kind race t-shirts designed by Tulsa Masters member, Jocelyn Wood, are guaranteed for all entries received by August 16, 2013. Additional t-shirts can be pre-ordered for $15 each. Left over shirts may be available for sale at the post race party.

DONATIONS: A portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma Camp Tallchief Scholarship Fund. You may designate an additional donation during the registration process.

AWARDS: Awards will be given in each event. 

RESULTS: A link to the final results will be posted on www.okswim.org as soon as possible.

SOCIAL: Back by popular demand!

WHAT ELSE?

NO RUNNING/ JOGGING, RIDING BIKES, WALKING, HIKING ON THE ZINK RANCH PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF THE CAMP TALLCHIEF BOUNDARIES!!!

PLEASE OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS WHILE ON THE ZINK RANCH ROADS. STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE RANCH FOREMAN!

AND.....

• Sturdy shoes for walking approximately 1/4 mile down hill on a gravel road to the waterfront. This will be an up hill walk on the way back!
• Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen & bug spray.
• Showers will be available following the event.
• Please make arrangements to have your children supervised while you are swimming.

ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NO PETS! NO SMOKING! (Facility rules)

DIRECTIONS: Zink Ranch, Sand Springs, OK

• Sand Springs, OK is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown Tulsa. Zink Ranch is located approximately 9.7 miles north of Sand Springs at the termination of Hwy. 97 & the intersection of Rock School Road.
• The site of the Tallchief Open Water Challenge is located another 4.5 miles from the entrance of the ranch.
  

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO CHECK IN at THE REGISTRATION TABLE NO LATER THAN 8:15 AM. This include pre-registered swimmers and race day entrants. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to Zink Ranch, Sand Springs, OK:

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 8:15 am. A required race briefing will occur at 8:50 am, just prior to the first wave of swimmers.

Please allow PLENTY of time to arrive, check in, & get to the swim start. There is some walking involved from the parking lot to the water front. It takes longer than you think it will to drive the 4.5 miles to the site of the swim. You cannot drive 50 mph on this road!

HOTELS: The closest hotels to Zink Ranch are located in Sand Springs just off HWY 64/412 (Keystone Expressway) at the 81st Street W. Ave exit. Google ‘hotels in Sand Springs’ or call Hampton Inn/ Sand Springs, 918-245-8500 or Best Western Sand Springs Inn & Suites, 918-245-4999. 

HAVE FUN!!

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