2017 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: chip timed 3K, chip monitored 3K Julie Montiel Friends and Family Wave, chip timed 5K

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:
5:45   AM Swimmers check in
6:45   AM Mandatory Safety Meeting
7:10   AM 5K Race starts
7:35   AM 3K Swimmers leave Pt. Defiance to Tahlequah, Vashon Island, on board Wa St ferry
8:00   AM 3K Race starts
8:02   AM 3K Julie Montiel Friends and Family 3K Wave Race Start

RACE DIRECTOR: Zena Courtney, home 253-927-3695, cell 206-651-0823 swimdefiance@bluewave-aquatics.com

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all 2017 registered Masters swimmers (USMS and MSC) 18 and older as of 6/03/2017. Swimmers not registered may sign up online for a $22 One-Event USMS registration.  Non-PNA USMS registered swimmers must submit a copy of their 2017 registration card to the race registrar.

RULES: Current USMS rules will govern this event.  Fins, pull buoys, snorkels, mp3 players are examples of items NOT allowed under USMS rules. To view USMS complete rules for open water events please visit USMS Rules and Regulations at www.usms.org/rules. Time limits are enforced for both swims: 3K – 2 hours, 5K – 2:50 hours.

WETSUITS: Neoprene wetsuits and race provided caps are required, unless swimmer has pre-approval from the safety/race director. Download the NON-WETSUIT APPLICATION at http://www.swimdefiance.com and email the completed copy to swimdefiance@bluewave-aquatics.com. Minimum 2 days ahead of the event.

Swim safety buoys are MANDATORY for this race. You may purchase a buoy during registration and it will be available race day morning at the registration table. For more options on purchasing the SaferSwimmer buoy go to the Swim Defiance website - Safety page. 

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, and race chip during the entire race. The host will provide the color-coded race caps and race chips. There is a $20.00 charge for all lost chips. Safety as it pertains to cancellation of the races: There will be NO Refunds if these races must be cancelled due to adverse conditions, dangerous waters, or other safety decision or act of God.

COLD WATER SWIMMING: Cold water swimming is not something one should jump into lightly. The Swim Defiance website has a page dedicated to cold water swimming information. Please take the time to read through the information. http://www.swimdefiance.com/ColdWaterSwimming.aspx

AWARDS: Custom participant award and caps to all competitors. A random drawing of merchandized prizes for participants and volunteers will be held while waiting for the last person to finish. Custom event awards for male and female in each event. 1st - 3rd place vintage medals will be presented to men and women in age groups 18-24, 25-29 ... 80+. Scrumptiouspost race refreshments will be available.

ENTRY FEES:

• Early Bird Registration Discount March 17th - April 1st 3K: $68.00
• April 2nd - June 2nd 3K: $80.00
• Day of Race Registration: $95.00 
• USMS 1 Day Event Fee $22.00 for both the 3K and 5K events

ONLINE ENTRIES ONLY: Online meet entry on Club Assistant. Online entry closes at 11:59 pm PDT on 6-01-2017
Please note: Your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "ClubAssistant.com Events."

No Refunds: There will be NO Refunds if these races must be cancelled due to adverse conditions, dangerous waters, or other safety decision or act of God.

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 2017 Open Water Swims! Membership also includes access to pool events, clinics, coaches and a USMS magazine subscription. Contact PNA registrar Stephanie Hiebert at ravenlou@gmail.com for more information.

LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS: Long sleeve shirts will be available for purchase.
$25.00 SM, MD, LG. X-LG
$30.00 2XL

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

COLD WATER TRAINING: Cold water training for Swim Defiance is free for current Blue Wave members, swimmers with a USMS membership (verified) and swimmers who have registered for Swim Defiance (verified).

If you are planning to attend one of the swims please confirm with Zena (in person, text, call, email) before the swim. Zena can be reached at swimdefiance@bluewave-aquatics.com or 206-651-0823.

• May 7th, Sunday 10:00 am (10:11 am low tide) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• May 9th, Tuesday 7:00 pm (6:00 pm high tide) at Normandy Park Cove, Seattle (http://www.npcove.org) if questioned, you are a guest of Terry Mutter
• May 17th, Wednesday 7:00 pm (4:02 pm low tide) at Redondo Beach, Des Moines
• May 18th, Thursday 7:00 pm (4:56 pm low tide) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• May 25th, Thursday 7:00 pm (6:12 pm high tide) at Normandy Park Cove, Seattle
• May 29th, Monday (Memorial Day) 7:30 am (7:29 am high tide) at Owens Beach, Tacoma
• Every Saturday there is a swim at Alki Beach, in West Seattle, at 9:00 am that I will attend in May, swimming or kayaking which ever is needed. These swims are not associated with Swim Defiance or Blue Wave Aquatics. Saturdays in May are 6, 13, 20 and 27

DIRECTIONS: FROM SEATTLE:
Take I-5 SOUTH to Tacoma, Take exit 132B for WA-16 west toward Bremerton. Stay on WA-16 for approximately 3 miles to Exit 3 for 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 Pearl Street to 4 way stop sign at Pt. Defiance Park entrance. Take the street on right, toward the Ferry, and continue PAST the Ferry entrance booth on right and continue downhill toward Anthony’s Restaurant. Turn left into Restaurant  parking lot and continue to end, road turns left and goes up hill. At stop sign at top, road becomes Five Mile Rd. Continue thru next stop sign and straight past Rhododendron Gardens. Turn right onto Owens Beach Rd. and follow down windy hill to bottom/Owen Beach. Park in the lot. No PARKING in reserved CARPOOL spot.

TRAFFIC ALERTS:
Metro Parks of Tacoma has issued a traffic alert for the Point Defiance area. Please click here for current information about traffic and parking at Owens Beach.

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. Continue using Seattle directions (blue/purple text).

LODGING:
The Swim Defiance website has detailed information about accommodations, block rates and contact information. http://www.swimdefiance.com/accommodations.aspx


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."