SOLO - 5th Annual Swim Around Lido Key, 7-mile Open Water Swim Race

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Registration Schedule

This competition is limited to the first 130 entrants.
Currently there are 91 entrants.

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• You must be able to complete the swim in UNDER 5 HOURS. This means if there is ZERO current, you should be able to swim 1 open water mile in about 42 minutes. If you’re not within the final 1/4-mile of the swim within 5 hours, you may be pulled by the motorboat pilots and shuttled to the finish line.
• All swimmers and pilots MUST attend the pre-race safety meeting, which will be held on race day morning just prior to the race starting.
• The race will follow USMS swimming rules for Category 1 swimwear, meaning no wetsuits.
• All swimmers and pilots must provide their own nutrition (water, electrolytes, calories) for the entire race and have a means for securing it to the kayak. There are no water stations out on the course.
• Relay teams: You can swap swimmers at any time during the race and as many times as they want during the race.
• Relay teams: The pilot exiting kayak to swim must maintain contact and control of kayak until swimmer makes the exchange by hand-to-hand touch. At this moment, the finishing swimmer becomes the pilot and the only team member permitted contact with the kayak.  The pilot may then use sea bottom if needed for assistance to enter kayak and proceed as team pilot.
• All pilots must have a whistle and wear an approved PFD while paddling.
• Each pilot must have a cell phone secured in a dry bag for use in case of an emergency
• You cannot hang or rest on your pilot's boat even when feeding.
• No use of lower extremities to rest on or push off of sea bottom to gain an advantage.
• Swim caps and body marking will be provided which must be worn throughout the race.
• Persons allergic to latex should plan to wear a silicone cap beneath their race cap or bring their own brightly colored silicone cap.

PLEASE NOTE: If you can’t participate in the race or there are weather issues and we have to cancel the race, there are no refunds, transfers, or deferrals for any reason. The cost of the event is fixed and the money has been spent come race day.

Pilots and Kayak Rentals

Pilots (escort kayakers)

We STRONGLY encourage solo swimmers to bring their own experienced kayaker to escort them. All pilots MUST register as a pilot whether we provide one for you or you provide your own!

***WE HAVE SOLD OUT OF PILOTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT***

If you're a solo swimmer and need an escort kayaker from us, the cost is $65 and is paid during registration. $60 goes directly to the pilot and $5 is used for processing fees we incur.

NOTE: We can only guarantee 35 pilots. Once we hit 35 requests, we can no longer guarantee we will have a pilot for you. We will recruit as many pilots as possible, so you can always check with us to see if we secured more than 35.

Rental kayaks (Need to rent a kayak for the race?)
If so, rentals are available from our kayak sponsors. Give one of them a call and they will take care of your needs! Tell them you're doing the Swim Around Lido Key Race on Saturday, April 27, 2019. They will deliver the kayak to Lido Beach on race day morning and pick it up at the end of the race. Rental rates are $65 per kayak.

Island Style: Call Laurel at 941-587-1009
Siesta Key Bike & Kayak: Call 941-346-0891
Paradise Adventures: Call 941-275-2971
Silent Sports Outfitter: Call Tony 941-966-5477

Check-In (race day morning)
Pre check-in will take place on Friday from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Daiquiri Deck on St. Armand’s Circle.

Race day morning check-in and body marking will take place under our tents immediately prior to the race.

Pre-race Meeting
Saturday morning, April 27. The meeting will take place at under our tents in the parking area. ALL swimmers and pilots must attend this safety and information meeting. Please refer to course map prior to the meeting. If you haven’t met your pilot prior to this meeting, you’ll meet your pilot during the meeting where you can discuss your race plan.

Water Temperature
72-80 F degrees

Prior to the Race (READ THIS!)

• It is advised that you complete at least a 2- to 3-hour training swim and practice feeding every 30-minutes prior to attempting this race!
• If you’re doing a relay and don’t have experience paddling a kayak, it is highly recommended that you spend time learning how to paddle a kayak safely.
• If you’re a solo swimmer, make sure you communicate with your pilot prior to race day so that you’re both on the same page about your race plans. Don’t wait until race day to communicate! If we’re providing a pilot for you, we’ll be sending both you and your pilot an email introducing each other. You’ll then have their email address for further communication.
• If you have any questions about your ability to swim this event, please contact the race directors

Safety

Water safety will be provided by the escort pilots on kayaks, powerboats, jet skis, a police boat, and an EMT that will be patrolling the course. Each powerboat will be flying a small orange flag and each jet ski rider will have an orange mark on the back of their life jackets for identification. Pilots will be instructed on how to seek assistance. An EMT will be available on the water and safety personnel will be instructed on how to assist a distressed swimmer and trained medical personnel will be available to assist in emergency situations. The MANDATORY pre-race meeting will review common communication signals for pilots (and swimmers) to use and recognize out on the course.

In case of inclement weather, unusually adverse surf conditions, or any other factors that may arise, an event committee composed of the event directors and safety personnel may modify the starting time or cancel the event.

Results
Results will be available online at www.SwimWithoutLimits.com.

Awards

Finishers medal for each swimmer who completes the swim.  Awards will be given to the top 5 male and female solo swimmers and top five 2-person and 3-person relay teams. All awards will be presented during the post race social under our tents.

Volunteers needed (have a family member volunteer and be apart of the race)
We need volunteers to help out during the race. Please click here to volunteer. Thank you so much!

Race Venue Location/Directions
Ken Thompson Park (on Lido Key)
1799 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236

Interstate 75 to Sarasota exit #210 (Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Road west to US 41. Turn left (south) onto US 41 and continue John Ringling Blvd. (789). Turn right onto John Ringling Blvd. (789) and go over the bridge. Continue to St. Armand’s Circle going around the circle and exit the circle on Blvd Of The Presidents. Continue to Ken Thompson Pkwy, which is at the traffic light just before going over the bridge. Stay on Ken Thompson Pkwy to the end of the road.

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