3rd Annual Flathead Lake Swim Series 2016 - Big Arm Montana

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Registration Schedule

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BENEFIT: This event is a charity event and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Enduring Waves Foundation. The Enduring Waves Foundation is a Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofit (status pending) that assists Montana children financially with various medical expenses.

LOCATION: Big Arm State Park (permit pending).

SANCTION AND RULES: The open water swim series is sanctioned by USMS swimming. The 2016 USMS Swimming and Montana Masters Swimming Rules will govern the conduct of the meet. Timing will be by Racesplitter. All events will be timed finals.

ELIGIBILITY: All swimmers must have a current USMS Swimming card, or be covered by the USMS one-event registration form for insurance purposes.  Swimmers must be comfortable swimming in open water to enter this event.

EVENT FORMAT: All races will be run as a mass start, in water. Although there will be wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions for purposes of awards, both divisions will be run simultaneously for each of the four events.

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee for each swimmer is based on the number of events swum.  All Registration for the Flathead Lake Swim Series will be done by online registration only.  Due to the sanction for this event (and insurance) being through United States Masters Swimming (USMS), any athlete with a current USMS registration will receive the benefit of a significant discount.  Athletes without USMS registration may still participate, but their registration prices will reflect the additional cost of a USMS Single Event Fee in order to be covered under event insurance.

• Early Bird Registration: Deadline: 7/1/2016 at midnight
  USMS Members: $35 one race/$50 two races/$65 three races/$70 four races
  Non-affiliated athletes: $59 one race/$74 two races/$89 three races/$94 four races
  Athletes who register prior to July 1st will receive the benefit of early bird pricing, be eligible for race prizes/awards, receive an event t-shirt, cap and SWAG.    Athletes will also receive the best post race meals in Montana following each days races.
• Regular Registration Deadline 7/8/2016 at midnight
  USMS Members: $85 one race/$100 two races/$115 three races/$120 four races
  Non-affiliated athletes: $109 one race/$125 two races/$139 three races/$144 four races
  Athletes who register regular registration will pay $50 more for entry into the race.  Athletes will be eligible for race prizes/awards, receive a race cap and will receive the best post race meals in Montana following each day of races.
• LATE REGISTRATION:Deadline: 7/14/16 at midnight    
  USMS Members: $135 one race/$150 two races/$165 three races/$170 four races
  Non-affiliated athletes: $159 one race/$174 two races/$189 three races/$194 four races
  Athletes who register late will pay $100 more for entry into the race.  Athletes will receive a race cap, post race meals. and will be eligible for prizes/awards  Athletes who register are not guaranteed an event t-shirt or SWAG.

Online event entries are paid by credit card to "ClubAssistant.com Events"
Online entries close midnight July 14, 2016.
No entries will be accepted without the proper entry fees.
There will be NO REFUNDS.



RESULTS: Results will be posted as they are finalized at the event and online.

Awards: There will be awards for top finishers in each age group in each individual race for each gender.
18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 94-99, 100-104

Overall Champions: The top male and female with the best overall combined time for all four events (non-wetsuit) will be deemed the FLATHEAD LAKE MONSTER. Additional overall awards as follows:

• 1-3 male and female wetsuit division
• 1-3 male and female non-wetsuit division

FEED STATIONS: There will be a floating feed station on both the 5K and 10K races. Athletes will be responsible for providing their own feed in a water bottle clearly labeled with their race number. Each athletes feed will then be placed in a numbered slot on the floating feed table. The 1 mile and 1/2 mile races will NOT have feed stations.

10K SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: The 10K race will be two loops of the 5K course.  The race will not be delayed for athletes who fail to check in prior to the mandatory pre-race meeting. 10K athletes will be provided a volunteer kayaker for safety purposes. Athletes may not draft off of their kayak support, may not rest on their kayak support and may not take feed from their kayak support. Kayaks are solely provided for the safety of the swimmers on a spread out course.

ATHLETE ACCOMMODATIONS: Athletes with disability are welcomed at the Flathead Lake Swim Series. Any athlete
requiring special accommodations must contact the event director by the entry deadline to request any special
accommodations required.

LAKE CONDITIONS: Athletes should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing conditions. Our 2014 event saw a 15 degree drop in water temperatures from day 1 to day 3 of the series. Athletes will be asked to declare their division (wetsuit or nonwetsuit) one week prior to the event, however, changing divisions on event day will be permitted prior to the pre-race meeting if conditions require.

LODGING: Big Arm State Park has seven tent sites and 41 RV/trailer sites for camping. Reservations can be made at
http://montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
The closest hotels to the race are located in Polson, approximately 15 minutes from the race site. Additional lodging is available in Somers (30 min. from race site) and Kalispell (45 min. from race site).

Questions? Contact Emily von Jentzen: 406.529.2830, emily.vonjentzen@gmail.com

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