2023 Swim Melbourne Masters 1.5K and 5K Open Water Swims

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Registration Schedule

This competition is limited to the first 100 entrants.
Currently there are 64 entrants.

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Sanctioned by the Florida LMSC for USMS Inc., Sanction # 143-W001 

In granting this sanction it is understood and agreed that USMS shall be free from any liabilities or claims for damages arising by reason of injuries to anyone during the conduct of the event. It is further understood that USMS and Swim Melbourne Masters shall be free and held harmless from any liabilities or claims for damages arising by reason of injuries to anyone during the conduct of the event. 

NOTICE: By entering this event, the athlete consents to the publication, via electronic, print or other media, information and/or imagery related to their participation at this event. Such information and imagery may include, but is not limited to, photographs, video, web casting, television, psych sheets and live event results. Official results will be posted on the Internet at https://www.swimmelbmasters.com/  

USE OF AUDIO AND VISUAL: Use of any audio or visual recording devices, including but not limited to film and digital cameras, cell phones and tablets, and Google Glass is not permitted in changing areas/ restrooms. Violation of this recording prohibition may result in ejection from the location by the Event Directors or their designee. 

EVENT PERSONNEL: 
EVENT Director:  Zena Courtney, zenacourtney@hotmail.com, (206) 651-0823 
EVENT Referee:    Lisa Smoak, LisaSmoak22@gmail.com, (321) 266-4808
EVENT Independent Safety Officer: B. J. Graham, myswimcoachbj@gmail.com, (321) 403-1082

LOCATION: Paradise Beach at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park, 2301 Florida A1A, Melbourne, FL 32903, Amenities include food trailer (11AM-7PM), restrooms, outdoor shower, trash, free parking, play area, sand volleyball courts and covered pavilions.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Paradise Beach at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park is located on the beach at 2301 Florida A1A, Melbourne, FL 32903. From I-95 North or South, take Exit 182/FL-518 E exit and head east 7.8 miles to stop light at A1A S/N HwyA1A. Turn right at light on A1A S/N HwyA1A and drive south for .3 miles, turn left on Paradise at entrance on left to Howard E. Futch Memorial Park, park in parking lot.  Paradise Beach - Google Maps

SWIM COURSE: This is an open water ocean swim. The 1.5K race will be one loop of three turn buoys. The 5K race will be slightly longer than three loops of a 1.5K course. The course consists of three turn buoys. For all races, the start will be a beach start and finish. There will be a power boat to set and maintain the furthest buoy and to wave off any incoming boat traffic.

BACKUP SWIM COURSE: Should the waves on race morning be larger than 4 feet or should there be dangerous marine life in the water at the beach, the course will be changed to Suntree Rotary Park on the Indian River Lagoon with a similar configuration to the ocean swim. Location will be communicated via email and website updates the week of the event after consultation with Brevard County Ocean Rescue.

WARM UP/WARM DOWN: The warm-up and warm down area is any water that is not part of the racecourse but within the view of the Brevard County Ocean Rescue. 

CONDITIONS: The expected water temperature: 70-76 degrees F. Each course is patrolled by Brevard County Ocean Rescue. Participants should be adequately trained for open water swims of this length. Previous experience in similar water conditions is highly recommended.

ABANDONMENT: If local condition/safety concerns lead to an abandonment during the race, athletes are required to follow the lifeguard instructions and other event supporting personnel. In such a case, the event shall be considered complete. The final placings of all athletes shall be determined by the Event Director. Situations not covered shall be determined by the Event Committee. 

TIME: Howard E. Futch Memorial Park opens at 7:00 AM each day. Event check-in begins at 7:45 AM at the tables on the beach in front to the main lifeguard station. Registration for the 1-mile will close at 8:30AM, 5K registration will close at 10:00AM. Mandatory safety meetings will be held approximately 15 minutes before the start of each race. The 1-mile waves start 9:00AM and at 10:30AM for the 5K. Each event may have multiple waves that will start approximately 2-3 minutes apart; the number of waves will be determined by the number of entries. All race start times are approximate. Warm-up will be available starting at 8:00 AM near the start chute. 

RACE CUTOFF TIMES: The cutoff time is 60 minutes for the 1.5K swim; 10AM with a 9AM start. 1.5K swimmers not passing the 3rd turn buoy by 50 minutes from the start will be directed to swim to shore from this buoy and will be disqualified. Athletes unable to finish within the cutoff time will also be removed from the course by safety personnel and disqualified.

The cutoff time is 120 minutes for the 5K swim; 12:30PM for a 10:30AM start. 5K Swimmers not passing the third turn buoy on second lap within 100 minutes from the start will be directed to swim to shore from this buoy and will be disqualified. Athletes unable to finish within the cutoff time will also be removed from the course by safety personnel and disqualified. 

GENERAL RULES: 

• Current USMS rules will govern the event. 
• Events will start in waves, depending on the number of entries. Waves will swim fast to slow. The waves will be denoted by different color caps. Wetsuits might be seeded in a separate wave. 
• Entries will be maximized at 100 combined for both events.  
• All Officials must be current on their registration and training according to USMS standards. 
• There will be a safety meeting before the start of races. The safety meeting is mandatory for all participants and officials. 
• All races are unescorted swims. All watercraft, including boats, paddle boards or kayaks are prohibited on, at or near the race course during the time of the event, except for those used by the host club for conducting the event or lifeguard operations. 
• All athletes must wear the provided swim cap. If two caps are worn, the provided cap must be on the top. 
• USMS Just for Fun Division (for 1.5K event only): Fins or pull buoy allowed – all proceeds benefitting the Swim Melbourne Foundation. Swimmers in this division will start in the USMS category-2 wave. Fins must consist of soft rubber material with a length of no more than two feet and are subject to approval by the referee for safety reasons. 
• Webscorer will be used as the timing system and popsicle sticks with numbers will be given out at registration and must be turned in right before you enter the water for the race start. 
• Disqualified swimmers must leave the race course immediately.

RESTRICTIONS: 

• Sale and use of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all areas of the event venue. 
• No glass containers are allowed in the event venue. 
• All personal shelters on the beach must be properly secured 
• Destructive devices, to include but not limited to, explosive devices and equipment, firearms (open or concealed), blades, knives, mace, stun guns and blunt objects are strictly prohibited in the swimming facility and its surrounding areas. If observed, the Event Director Referee or their designee may ask that these devices be stored safely away from the public or removed from the facility. Noncompliance may result in the reporting to law enforcement authorities and ejection from the facility. Law enforcement officers (LEO) are exempt per applicable laws. 
• Operation of a drone, or any other flying apparatus, is prohibited. 

USMS ELIGIBILITY: 

• Athletes must be current members of USMS. One-event registration covering the whole event is available for adult ($20) athletes. This can be used on-line and on race day. 
• USMS Athletes must be current members of U.S. Masters Swimming. 
• Entry times are not required for entry. 
• Disabled athletes are welcome to attend this event and should contact the Event Directors regarding any special accommodations on entry times and seeding per USMS policy. 
• The age for USMS athletes shall be determined by the age of the swimmer on December 31 of the year of competition, except for 18-year-olds, who must be 18 on the day that they swim.

ENTRY FEES:
 

EVENT	1.5K	5K	BOTH EVENTS
Pre-race registration (online thru Thurs 3/2/2023)	$55	$70	$115
Race day registration	$75	$90	$155
USMS One-Event registration	$20	$20	$20

NO REFUNDS.  NO WHINING.

ENTRIES: 
There are links for online registration for USMS members. Online registration for all races closes 11:59PM on 03/02/23 or when race participant limit of 100 swimmers is reached for the 1.5K/5K races. Mailed or hand delivered entries are not available pre-race. Athletes can register at the registration desk on race day, if the race participant limit is not reached. Race day registration for a “one-event” membership for USMS is available at the registration desk on race day. 

CHECK-IN: 
The event will be seeded based on the provided mile time. Athletes must check-in at the Registration table. 

• 1.5K registration is open on Sunday from 7:45 to 8:30AM. 
• 5K registration is open from 7:45AM to 10:00 AM. 
• Athletes who do not check in will not be allowed to compete in that event. 

SCRATCHES: Any athletes not reporting for or competing in an individual timed final event that they have checked in for shall not be penalized. 

AWARDS USMS: 
• Custom designed awards will be given to the first 3 USMS registered finishers in each sex/age in the Category 1 (non-wetsuit division) (18-24, 25-29, etc.) in the 1.5K and 5K Events.
• Just for Fun Division: No awards will be given 

ADMISSION AND PARKING: Free. 


1.5K COURSE MAP: This course will be one loop of three buoys. Swimmers will start in the water and swim to finish on the beach after third turn.




5K COURSE MAP: This course will be just over three loops of a three buoy course. Swimmers will start on the beach at the third turn buoy, after touching the third turn buoy, swimmers will turn north and swim parallel to the beach to continue through the first, second and third laps.  After the third lap, swimmers will swim to the finish on the beach 600M past the last turn buoy.







 

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