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A swim to raise funds and awareness for Diabetes
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Distances:
10 and 5 kilometers
(6.2 and 3.1 miles)
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Difficulty:
Open ocean long distance swim. |
Date:
August 8, 2010 |
Race start:
10:00 a.m. |
Sponsors
About the Race
For a full description of Race Rules click here.
A solo or relay 10k (6.2 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) adventure swim in Sitka Sound, with a water temperature range in the mid 50’s. The race will start and end at the UAS boat ramp and go around the Japonski Island causway. Maximum time allowed on the course is 4 hours.
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| Claudia Rose swimming Sitka Sound. |
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The event is open to swimmers 18 years old and older. The age of the swimmer will be determined by the age of the swimmer on race date.
Official Relay Team will consist of 2 or 4 individuals, or a swimmer may enter as an individual.
TEAM DIVISIONS: Teams can be entered as wither all Male, all Female, or mixed. Mixed teams will be made up of any combination of men and women.
An Escort kayaker is required for solo swimmers and relays, to enhance safety and navigation. Swimmers must swim on either the left or the right side of the kayak. NO DRAFTING WILL BE ALLOWED. Drafting is defined as “the carrying of a swimmer by the wake of the escort boat, or another swimmer.” If any team engages in drafting, and a complaint by another team is lodged and upheld, the drafting team will be disqualified.
In the relay swims, each swimmer’s first leg is 30 minutes. Succeeding legs are 15 minutes per person. The duration of the final leg can be adjusted at the discretion of the team captain, if more than 15 minutes long. If a person cannot finish his or her leg, the boat is allowed to keep its motor on only to keep present position for the duration of that swimmer’s portion. If the next swimmer enters the water before the proper time, the team will be disqualified.
Each team swimmer will be given a color-coded cap according to their place in the relay, and they must wear it. Solo swimmers will have a unique cap that they must wear.
There will be a MANDATORY organizational meeting at a location to be determined on August 7, 2010. SOLO SWIMMERS, TEAM CAPTAINS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH TEAM ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT THIS MEETING AND THE SKIPPERS OF EACH ESCORT CRAFT. The purpose of the meeting is to review the racecourse, last minute changes, and instructions for the start of the race, pick-up and sale of individual t-shirts, caps, banquet tickets, meet your skipper.
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| Some views of the swim course taken in December. |
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download map of the course
(if it opens up in your web browser, come back and right click it) |
Stay tuned for map |
Sitka Sound is protected on the north and west by Kruzof Island to the south by a natural arch in Baranof Island forming a peninsula at Povrotni Point. Mount Edgecumbe, an extinct volcano on Kruzof Island looms over Sitka Sound; views of the open Pacific Ocean to the west fill the horizon as far as the eye can see.
In the case of inclement weather, or other safety concerns, the Race Director may alter the route at his discretion.
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swimmer and escort kayak clinic
Kayak escort clinic: Thursday, June 24, 7 - 9 pm
Swim clinic: Saturday, June 26, 9am - 5pm
Two very experienced open water swimmers will be coming up to teach the clinic. We are hoping that both the kayakers and swimmers will go to both sessions. June 26 will be the swim session and we will finish with a 1 mile swim. This will help to qualify those who want to do the august swim (solo or relay). Download Flyer.
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Participants acknowledge that advanced skills, conditioning and experience are essential to safe completion of the race and that they are prepared. The Race Director reserves the right to remove a racer who is not deemed able to complete the course, who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Required:
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An Escort kayaker is required for solo swimmers and relays, to enhance safety and navigation. Swimmers must swim on either the left or the right side of the kayak.
We will be happy to assist in relays in securing an escort boat with skipper. We will also be happy to help anyone needing assistance in finding an escort kayaker. These escorts will be of limited supply so first come first served. If you have an experienced kayaker you can rent a kayak from Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures, www.kayaksitka.com or info@kayaksitka.com. You must be able to show that you are experienced in order to rent a kayak as an escort.
- Individual swimmers wearing wetsuits do not have to complete the 1-hour coldwater swim. Relays will be placed in the wetsuit division if one or more persons in the relay are wearing a wetsuit. There will be separate awards for swimmers and relays using wetsuits as follows: Fastest man/woman, fastest Male relay, fastest female relay and fastest mixed relay.
- There will be a maximum of 14 individual swimmers. To assure completion of the event, please submit your 2000m/220yd time for review, (40 minutes or under for a 2k).
- All individual competitors not wearing a wetsuit must submit witnessed proof of a continuous one (1) hour swim in water at or below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A letter by the individual’s swim coach or open water training coordinator attesting to the competitor’s ability to complete a swim in these conditions will be accepted.
- Relay swimmers will have to meet the 2k swim times of 40 minutes or under, but will not have to complete a cold-water swim. The number of relays allowed entry will be 6.
- Each team shall have an appointed captain who is responsible for knowing all the rules and details of the race.
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Almanac for August 8 in Sitka:
Temperature
| Avg Low |
Avg High |
Record Low |
Record High |
| 50° |
63° |
41° (1899) |
76° (1978) |
Water Temperature around 55° F.
Tides:
| Low |
6:15 am |
(-1.75 ft.) |
| High |
12:47 pm |
(+8.30 ft.) |
| Low |
6:10 pm |
(+2.5o ft.) |
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Entry Fees
The individual entry fee is $99.00. Each relay team must pay an entry fee of $99.00/relay member.
The individual and relay entry fee includes 2 tickets for the banquet, official Sitka Sound Adventure Swim t-shirt, awards and caps.
In addition, each individual swimmer will receive one extra banquet ticket and t-shirt for their kayaker. Each relay will receive banquet tickets, t-shirts one each for skipper and kayaker.
Entries after May 1, 2010 will pay a late entry fee of $150.00/individual or relay member.
The remaining monetary amount raised from this race will go to benefit the American Diabetes Association and its related causes.
Below are sponsorship forms for individuals to provide the entry fee through donations
and solicitations. The entry fee is the minimum amount needed to participate in the Sitka Sound Adventure Swim, and all further donations and fundraising will be accepted and encouraged.
Download Entry Form |
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Download Sponsorship Form |
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Who's Entered?
Check out the race roster (once we post it).
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Banquet
The banquet on August 8, 2010 following the race will be held at a locationto be determined.
Non-team members and guests who wish to attend the banquet, please include an additional $20.00 per person. Make the check payable to American Diabetes Association ‘Sitka Sound Adventure Swim Banquet’.
Prizes
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Getting Ready for the Race
Get to know the distance.
In an adventure swim like this there are many challenges, unknown area alone
can be mentally and physically challenging, we can't be sure of currents or
temperatures, swell, chop or wind. For temperature, we've been training in
the coldest water we can find. A good additional plan here is to arrive in
the area at least 3 days in advance to practice in the cooler water (at
least cooler for many of us by August). Right now you can address the
distance and it's the right time in the calendar to bring your mileage up. If
10km (6 miles) is not a comfortable distance for you, start where you are
and try increasing by 10% at a time. You may tackle this several ways. If
your overall weekly volume (distance from all your training swims) is under
10km, you may wish to add a swim first until your weekly distance is at or
above 10k. You will also want to add in or extend 1 long swim. This swim
is ideally done in open water but can be done in a pool if there is no other
option it should be done continuously rather than stopping between sets. Start
with your current normal long distance and add each week until you
comfortable swim 10k. I you can't swim in open water regularly try to plan
opportunities over the next few months to get in open water whenever you can
and complete these swims there. If you are comfortable with the distance it
will be one less factor for race day. Don't forget to plan a taper before
the event!
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if you don't live on the rock getting here
by sea:
From Juneau, Haines, Ketchikan, or Bellingham take Alaska Marine Ferry to Sitka terminal (6 miles from downtown Sitka. They charge a $30 flat fee to transport a kayak, or put it on your car. Go to Alaska Marine Highway website.
by air:
Alaska Airlines has daily northbound and southbound service to Sitka. Go to Alaska Airlines website.
in Sitka:
Race will start on Japonski Island (airport side of Sitka) at the University of Alaska boat ramp. There will be signs identifying the race start.
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Camping
Camping is available at two U.S.F.S sites: Starrigavan campground near the ferry terminal at the north end of town (7 miles from downtown) and Blue Lake campground at the south end of town (6 miles from downtown). Go to Forest Service Camping site.
Housing and Hotels
There are several hotels in Sitka but space is limited and prices are high due to large influx of tourists from June to September.
Totem Square Inn – Newly remodeled hotel right downtown. Complimentary continental breakfast, and free high-speed internet and Wifi.
www.totemsquareinn.com
866-300-1353
Sitka Hotel - Oldest hotel in Sitka, right downtown.
907-747-3288
Westmark Sitka - Free High Speed Internet Access, Raven Dining Room & Lounge.
http://www.westmarkhotels.com/sitka.php
1-800-544-0970
Super 8 Motel - Easy walk to downtown. Complimentary continental breakfast, and free high-speed internet and Wifi.
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03097&brandInfo=SE
907-747-8804
Sheldon Jackson College has dorms rooms on a limited basis. Contact for SJC is 907-747-2552.
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Come see why we're so spoiled. If you are coming over for the race, stay a few days and discover this amazing place. In addition to kayaking, there's mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and some of the best fishing in Alaska. Definitely worth exploring!
Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau
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