2015 Swim Defiance 3K and 5K Open Water Swims

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Registration Schedule

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Sanctioned by PNA for USMS Inc. 

LOCATION: Owen Beach, Point Defiance Park, Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA

EVENTS: 3K swim OR 5K open water saltwater swim

COURSE: Re-enact the 1926 Dalco Passage crossing. Round trip 5K triangular course swim and one way 3K linear course. Water temp is estimated at 56-60 degrees F.  Water jugs provided for rinsing at finish. Metro Parks restrooms at start/finish area and on the Ferry during crossing to 3K start.

TIME:
Check In opens at 6:45 AM
Mandatory Competitor Safety Meeting at 7:45 AM
5K swim starts at 8:05AM
3K swim starts at 9:00 AM after ferry ride to Vashon Island

RACE DIRECTOR: Zena Courtney, home 253-927-3695, cell 206-651-0823 zenacourtney@hotmail.com

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all 2015 registered USMS swimmers 18 and above as of 6/21/15. Swimmers not registered may sign up online for a $22 One-Event USMS registration.  Non-PNA swimmers must provide a copy of their Masters Membership card.

RULES: Current USMS rules will govern this event.  Neoprene wetsuits and race provided caps are required, unless swimmer has pre-approval from by safety/race director. Time limits are enforced for both swims: 3K – 2 hour, 5K – 2:55 hours. All swimmers required to use their own personal brightly colored safety buoy or use race provided 36” balloon secured to swimmer. 

SAFETY: Lifeguards and safety boats will monitor the entire course. Body marking required on hands. Competitors must wear the color-coded race caps, safety buoy/balloon, and race chip provided by the host.  $20 charge for chips that are lost.

AWARDS: T-shirts in male/female styling and caps to all competitors. Custom 1st-3rd place vintage inspired awards will be presented to men and women in age groups 18-24, 25-29 . . . 80+.  Post race refreshments will be available.

ENTRY FEES: 3K: $72   or   5K: $83.  9.8% sales tax included in entry fee. $15 late charge for race day entries.

ONLINE ENTRIES ONLY: Online meet entry on Club Assistant. Online entry closes at 11:59 pm PDT on 6-19-2015 

USMS One-Event Fee: USMS offers a Swim One-Event entry fee for $22 to any USMS Sanctioned event. For $30 more, enjoy USMS membership for the remainder of the year and MORE USMS insured 2015 Open Water Swims! Membership also includes access to pool events, clinics, coaches and a USMS magazine subscription. Contact PNA registrar Arni Litt at PNAregistrar@usms.org for more information.

RESULTS: Preliminary results available on race day and final results posted at www.swimdefiance.com the next day.

DIRECTIONS: FROM SEATTLE:
Take I-5 SOUTH to Tacoma (about 32 miles). Take exit 132B for Washington 16W (WA-16) toward Bremerton. Stay on WA16 for approximately 3 miles to Exit 3/6th Ave toward WA-163 N/Ruston. Turn left onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3.2 miles on N Pearl Street to stop sign at Pt. Defiance Park entrance. Continue straight thru stop sign intersection onto N Waterfront Dr. as it curves past Pagoda, stay in middle lane and follow directions to the Zoo. Pass the Zoo turn off/ road becomes Five Mile Rd. Continue straight past Rhododendron Gardens. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd, follow down windy hill. Destination is at bottom. Park in lot by beach except first row where indicated as reserved for Bus.

FROM OLYMPIA: Take I-5 NORTH to Tacoma (about 26 miles). Take exit 132 for S 38th St. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Washington 16W (WA-16)/Gig Harbor/Bremerton for 1.0 mi. Keep left to continue on WA-16 west for about 3.0 mi to Exit 3/6th Ave toward WA-163 N/Ruston. Turn left onto 6th Ave. Take the 1st right onto N Pearl St. Go 3.2 miles on N Pearl Street to stop sign at Pt. Defiance Park entrance. Continue straight thru stop sign intersection onto N Waterfront Dr. as it curves past Pagoda, stay in middle lane and follow directions to the Zoo. Pass the Zoo turn off/ road becomes Five Mile Rd. Continue straight past Rhododendron Gardens. Turn right onto Owen Beach Rd, follow down windy hill. Destination is at bottom. Park in lot by beach except first row where indicated as reserved for Bus.

LODGING: Silver Cloud Inn, Tacoma Waterfront, 2317 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA; ‎(253) 272-1300; www.silvercloud.com, 5mi from race course.
Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma, WA; (253) 238-8000; www.hotelmuranotacoma.com, 7mi from race course.
Best  Western Plus, Tacoma Dome Hotel, 2611 East E Street, Tacoma,WA; (800)780-7234; www.book.bestwestern.com; 8mi from race course.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The 5K electronic chipped swim is on a triangular course that starts in the water at Owen Beach between two orange triangular buoys and proceeds north toward Vashon Island an make two right hand turns around the outside of a two tall yellow cylindrical buoys at 1.5 miles and then heads south back to Owen Beach. The 3K will take a bus from the finish to the Tahlequah State Ferry, walk on and enjoy a 15 minute ride to Vashon Island. Once arrived, they will walk to the beach just west of the Ferry terminal and start in the water and swim out past the left of the two tall yellow cylindrical buoys. All swimmers will finish with a short run up the beach across a timing mat.

CHARITY:
Blue Wave Aquatics provides adult swim scholarships and free lessons for those in need, as well as providing funding for aquatic safety programs. More info on their webpage (www.bluewave-aquatics.com).  Donations may be made to Blue Wave Aquatics during this event's online entry.

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from ".BLUEWAVE-AQUATICS."