2015 Lake George Open Water Swims

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Registration Schedule

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Sanctioned by Green Leaf Racing for USMS, Inc.

Events: 2.5k, 5k and 10k distances. 2.5k is the >1 - <3 Mile USMS Open Water National Championship. No wetsuits allowed for the 2.5k National Championship. There are wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions for the 5k and 10k (non-championship).
           
Course: The 2.5k, 5k, 10k course will consist of a 2.5k loop marked by large buoys on the corners and sighting buoys in between. The start is in-water, waist deep and the finish takes place on the beach. There is a floating dock near the start/lap buoy where those in the 5k and 10k may place fuel. Course maps are available at lakegeorgeswim.com/course-maps.
                       
Location: Lake George is a beautiful lake in the Adirondack region of New York. The swims will take place at Hague Public Beach, Hague, NY, located on the northern end of Lake George. The lake temperature varies between 68º F and 74º F in late August.  The water is pristine and many families rely on the lake water for drinking.

Event Times:

• 6:00a - Check-in opens for 10k and 2.5k events; swimmers may warm up/cool down in the designated zone throughout the morning.
• 7:00a – Mandatory pre-race safety meeting for event officials, volunteers and safety crews
• 7:20a - Mandatory pre-race safety meeting (10k and 2.5k swimmers)
• 7:35a – 2.5k NC swimmers line up for entry into water
• 7:45a – 2.5k NC start
• 7:45a – 10k swimmers line up for entry into water
• 7:55a - 10k start (wetsuit and non-wetsuit)
• 8:15a - Check-in opens for the 5k swim; swimmers may warm up/cool down in the designated zone throughout the morning.
• 9:10a - Mandatory pre-race safety meeting (5k swimmers)
• 9:25a - 5k start (non-wetsuit and wetsuit)

Eligibility:  This is a USMS-sanctioned event and all participants must be registered for 2015 with USMS (or the equivalent FINA organization for foreign swimmers).  One-event membership is available only for the 5k and 10k events; it not allowed in the 2.5k event. Those registering online will need to have their USMS membership verified. To renew or join USMS online, visit www.usms.org/reg/. 

Rules: 2015 U.S. Masters Swimming rules will govern this event. Swimmers must wear the swim cap provided, have their race numbers on their arms, and follow all announced safety rules without exception.  

Entries: Online entries only; provided by Club Assistant software. Entries for the 2.5k national championship will close at midnight, August 24, 2015. Entries for the 5k and 10k will close at midnight on August 25, 2015. 

Entry Fees: The below entry fees cover permits, safety (water craft, EMTs), shirts, awards, chip timing and post-race food & drink (including pizza lunch). There are no refunds or deferrals.  Online entries are paid by credit card to "ClubAssistant.com Events".

Timing: Swims will be chip timed. Each swimmer will wear a timing chip on his or her ankle. Times will be recorded as swimmers cross the finish line. Manual backup timing will also be utilized.

Safety: For safety reasons, those not able to complete the 2.5k in 1.25 hours, the 5k in 2.5 hours or the 10k in 4 hours are advised not to enter (the Coast Guard will close the course at noon and all swimmers on the course will be escorted to shore). Swimmers in the 10k must pass the start/lap buoy by 11:00a or will be allowed to continue.  There are no exceptions. Safety support will be coordinated with Hague Fire Department and EMS, Lake George Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and volunteers. There will be sufficient craft on or adjacent to the prescribed course to ensure the safety of the swimmers. Swimmers will be briefed on all safety aspects before the start of the race. All safety personnel and race officials will be identified by signage and distinctive clothing. Swimmers will be advised of their location.  Local authorities and meet management have the authority to postpone or cancel the event for safety reasons.  Updates will be posted on www.lakegeorgeswim.com.

Evidence: Those in the 5k and 10k swims must submit evidence of having completed a swim of  2/3rds the distance of your chosen event (applies to 5k and 10k). Evidence must be emailed to events@greenleafracing.com and must include the date, venue, distance and time it took you to complete your swim. These swims should be in open water, and they may happen in or out of competition. If you have extensive training experience in pools and some open water swim experience that will suffice as evidence. The key is to ensure you will be able to complete your distance comfortably and within the cut-off time without risk to yourself or others.

Water Temperature:  Water temperature will be measured 1 foot below the surface at one or more points on the course, and air temperature will be recorded at the start location.

The race will be canceled if the water temperature is less than 60F (15.6°C) or greater than 85°F (29.4°C).The race will be canceled if the water temperature is exceeds 85°F (or 29.45°C)

Age Groups: Standard USMS 5-year age groups for the NC and 10-year age-groups for the 5k and 10k

Refund Policy: There are no refunds or deferrals for this event. In the case of inclement weather or other unexpected circumstances, the race director has the right to cancel the race or shorten the event. In this case there will be no refunds provided. In signing up for this event, the participants are agreeing to these terms.

Check-in/ Mandatory Meeting: All swimmers must check in at the starting location at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the race. All swimmers will be required to attend the final pre-race briefing 30 minutes before the start of the race. Attendance will be taken. Failure to arrive on time for the briefing could result in disqualification.

Lodging: A listing of hotels is available at www.lakegeorgeswim.com.

Awards: USMS Long Distance National Championship medals will be awarded to the top 6 men & women in each age group for the 2.5k NC. USMS Long Distance National Championship patches will be awarded to the winner of each age group for the 2.5k NC. Awards ceremony for the 2.5K NC will take place at 9:30a at the beach. Top 3 overall male and females for the 2.5k, 5k and 10k will be given custom awards. The top 3 male and female age-group winners in the 2.5k, 5k and 10k will receive certificates. The ceremony for the 2.5k will take place at 9:30a at the beach. Awards ceremony for the 5k and 10k will take place at 11:30 at the beach. These times may change.

Results: Results will be posted at www.lakegeorgeswim.com and www.usms.org.

Directions: From Albany Airport, take I-87 north to Exit 24, take a right off the ramp and travel 4 miles to route 9N. Turn left at 9N for 25 miles to Hague Public Beach.

More Information:  Chris Bowcutt at events@greenleafracing.com or 518 290-0457.

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