2021 Keller Cove Swim for Kids Sake

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Registration Schedule

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This open water S.F. Bay swim is an annual US and Pacific Masters Swimming event and fundraiser to benefit the youth USA swim team (“Sailfish”) program in the City of Richmond. Put on by Richmond Plunge Masters, it is held at Keller Beach, Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, in cooperation with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), who will provide water safety and lifeguard services for the event.

The event includes open water swim competitions for adult swimmers at ½-mile, 1-mile, and 2-mile distances, wetsuit, and non-wetsuit. It is the final event of the Pacific Masters 2021 Open Water swim season.

The proceeds from the event are used to provide scholarships to inner-city and at-risk youth throughout Richmond, pool rental fees, training equipment, and coaches’ salaries. (We also accept donations for our program here.). Since 2010 over 400 children have learned to swim through free and low-cost swim lesson programs and as members of the Sailfish team based at the Richmond Municipal Natatorium (“Plunge”). Sailfish swimmers are competing at local and regional swim meets, give back to the community by volunteering their time at local events such as beach clean-up day, and have become the core of lifeguards and swim instructors at City pools. 

Eligibility: This is a US Masters Swimming sanctioned event.  All participants must be current 2021 registered members of US Masters Swimming.  Non-USMS swimmers may register for the swim by paying a single-day membership fee of $25.  

Events: 1/2 Mile Swim, 1 Mile Swim, 2 Mile Swim. The 1/2 Mile runs first. Then to be followed (one hour later) by the 1-mile and 2-mile events run concurrently. Swimmers have their choice of doing one swim or two swims as follows:

• One swim only: 1/2 Mile; 1 Mile; OR  2 Mile

• Two swims: 1/2 Mile + 1 Mile OR 1/2 Mile + 2 Mile

Schedule of Activities:

• Swimmer Check-in     7:30 am  –  10:00 am 

• Welcome and Introductions:     9:00 am  –    9:10 am

• Race Instructions:  ½ -mile     9:10 am  –    9:25 am

• ½ -mile Swim     9:30 am  –  10:15 am

• Race Instructions: 1 & 2 mile 10:10 am  –  10:25 am 

• 1 & 2-mile Swims:   10:30 am  –  12:30 pm

Other Event Details: Expected water temp 62 to 66 degrees.  Start and finish on a sandy beach with sweeping views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate, Angel Island, Mt. Tam, and more. Hot shower on the beach! 

Entry Fees:  

• By or before midnight 09/12/21: One swim: $60 Two swims: $75

• By or before midnight 9/16/21: One swim: $65 Two swims: $80

• Additional fee for single-day USMS membership:   $25

• Event tee shirt (extra):   $10 each

 

Credit Card Processing: Entry fees are paid by credit card to ClubAssistant.com Events.

Refund Policy: Entry fees, once submitted, are non-refundable.  If the race has to be canceled due to hazardous weather, water, or air quality conditions, the event organizers will determine whether or not and how any portion of the entry fee will be refunded or credited for future events.  

Entry Deadline: Online entry ends at midnight Thursday, September 16, 2021

Safety:  Water safety and support will be provided under the direction of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Aquatics Supervisor and lifeguards, including lifeguards, rescue boards, and two motorized boats.   All EBRPD guidelines and criteria for open water swim events will be adhered to.  The swim area (Keller Cove) is not subject to strong bay currents or significant boat traffic, as it lies off the main tidal channels in a relatively protected cove.  Any boats in the area will be precluded from entering the swim area.  All participants will be required to wear a brightly-colored swim cap (to be provided) and will receive body-marking for swimmer identification. 

Swimming Conditions and Water Quality: Start and finish of the event is on a very gently sloping sandy beach with no serious wave action affecting either entry or exit.  Any accumulated debris or driftwood on the beach is cleared in the finish area the morning of the race.  The only marine life in the swim area is an occasional harbor seal or sea lion that happens by.  There are no underwater hazards.  Nearshore water quality at Keller Beach is monitored weekly by EBRPD, with recent results posted online at:   https://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=29973

Air Quality: We will use the purpleair.com app for air quality updates.  If the air quality index (AQI) reaches 101-150, we will announce to swimmers that conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups and swimmers with breathing issues should consider not swimming.  If the AQI is above 151, we will have to cancel the event to ensure the safety of all swimmers, officials, volunteers, and lifeguard staff.

COVID-19 Protocols: We will follow all Contra Costa County and East Bay Regional Parks COVID-19 protocols in effect at the time of the event. Participants, volunteers, and other attendees will be asked to wear face coverings except when swimming, eating, or drinking. Disposable face coverings will be made available to swimmers. Registration, body marking, and other pre-race and post-race activities will be spread out and organized to encourage social distancing.     

Food & Beverage: Food and beverage will be limited to package snacks, energy bars, Clementine oranges, coffee, and juice/water from large coolers (paper cups provided).
 

Parking: Free. Parking near Keller Beach is limited to curbside parking along the west side of Dornan Dr, which stretches for a distance of approximately one mile to the south (toward San Francisco).  Other options include: (a) street parking in Point Richmond (near the Plunge) and walk through the tunnel (1/4 mile); (b) Main Parking Lot for Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline (1/3 mile); (c) Dirt parking area across from Main Parking Lot (1/3 mile); and (d) Overflow and South Parking Lot (1/2 mile).

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "WWW.RICHMONDSWIMS.ORG."