2022 DC Marathon Swim

Swim dates: June 16, August 30, September 11, October 12

FAQ

Swimmer, crew, observer and house notes

Boat Observer Supplies List

Refund Policy:

We want to keep this simple. It is everyone’s objective to make this a successful swim and we are confident all approvals will be in place for the swim. You are making history, not only for the Nation’s Capital, in the sport of marathon swimming. If weather causes swim cancelation for the day scheduled, a rain date will be made available. If you withdraw for any other reason, you will be refunded your entry fee less $350 prior to 45 days of your scheduled swim. Within 45 days of the swim, we will refund 50% of your entry fee. No refunds within 30 days of your swim.

FAQ Summary

• Base of meetings will be National Harbor, Md on the Potomac River. A Pre-race zoom meeting will be scheduled approximately one week prior to your swim date. Have your crew on the call, if possible.

• You will receive swag, trackers and an opportunity to review and discuss the course. There are a few points/buoys you need to round for an official swim.

• Swim begins between 0600 and 0730. Board transport boat at the Washington Canoe Club to boat to Fletcher's Cove about 1.5 miles upriver. Start is in water.

• Swim completion shall be crossing the apex of Ferry Point about 1700 meters south of the Mt. Vernon estate.

• Swimmers and crews shall return up river from Ferry Point by boat to National Harbor and exit the river.

• Timeline shall be finalized as we progress toward your swim date.

SWIMMERS:

• Marathon Swimming Federation rules apply for this event. See: MSF - https://marathonswimmers.org/rules/

• You must wear one brightly colored cap of latex, silicone material; NO white or black caps. We will provide you with a latex DC Marathon cap in your race bag, but you are not required to wear it.

• Your kayaker is your primary support during the swim. They will navigate for you and carry your feeds. Your crew should provide the kayaker with the new feeds only every few hours.

• We will do our best to pair you with your boat captain and kayaker (if needed) prior to the swim, so you can contact and work out details with them. This is not guaranteed.

• If you will need warm feeds during the swim, your crew must bring them pre-heated as the support boats may not have the means to heat liquids.

• Water temperature is expected to be in the low 80’s to upper 60’s depending upon date. (Click here for temp and conditions at The Wharf.)

• Swimmers and their support team will then load their support boats at the Washington Canoe Club (WCC) to be staged upriver, spread out over a safe distance. This will be determined by DC Harbor Patrol vessels. The river is at its narrowest point in this section so boats will be spaced out to meet their swimmer and kayaker as they approach after the start.

• At the Washington Canoe Club, swimmers should get ready for a quick start once on the transport boat arrives to be ferried up to the staring point at Fletchers Cove. They should be in their swim costume and covered in sunscreen etc. prior to boarding the transport boat. The swimmers may be ferried in more than one boat. Kayakers may enter early at WCC and paddle up to Fletcher’s or catch a ride in their support boat. This must be determined by your team ahead of the start. No swimmer will be allowed to start without a kayak support. We will have more information about transportation and timing. Keep in mind that this will be a tight schedule and based upon sunrise. Be prepared to suit up, organize, and load support boats in the dark.

• Consider transportation to the start since the finish is down river and river exit is at National Harbor and WCC will be locked after the start. All day is not possible in this part of town.

• At the completion of the swim, swimmers and kayakers will board their assigned boat to be returned to National Harbor at the North Cove Pier (not the Ferris wheel pier). Kayakers should be prepared to have their kayak towed to the pier if there is not enough room on board the boat.

• For those of you using zinc or diaper rash cream as sunblock, please bring a towel or robe to prevent transfer of your cream onto any part of your boat.

• It is our intention for all swimmers to finish. Therefore, be prepared to swim into the night. Have swimmer and kayak lights, glow sticks for kayak and boat, clear goggles, etc. If you think you will be swimming into the dark, it is advised to outfit your kayak at the start and be prepared.

Relay Swims

A relay is a swim undertaken by a team of two or more swimmers, swimming in successive turns of a fixed time interval, in a fixed order.

• A relay team must meet all GENERAL RULES that apply, including full registration and agreement of the Waiver.

• Each team shall consist of two to six swimmers.

• We suggest each swimmer shall swim for one hour each time he/she enters the water. This time is called "a leg". The leg time can be changed after all swimmers have swum and the new time must begin with the first swimmer of the rotation and swum through the next leg by each swimmer.

• On receipt of a time signal, the changeover to the new swimmer will be made as soon as is practically possible (should be within one minute) after the previous swimmer has completed his/her respective leg, but under no circumstances more than five minutes after the end of the previous swimmer's leg. In an exchange, the new swimmer must enter the water behind the preceding swimmer, and swim past him/her. The new swimmer must touch the preceding swimmer.

• Team members must rotate in the same order throughout the swim.

• All transitions must occur on the side of the boat, never at the rear.

CREW

• All crew must be registered with WaveOne/DC Marathon prior to the swim. Anyone who is not registered will not be permitted to board a boat.

• A maximum of two crew persons and the observer are allowed per boat. More ONLY if allowed by your boat captain.

• Your role is to look after your swimmer and troubleshoot any issues that may arise (e.g., refresh feeds, change goggles, etc.)

• Prepare for the elements - many of the boats are exposed to sun and rain. This is a long swim and may go into the night.

• Bring your own food, drinks and other items (ex: towel, sunblock, napkins, trash bag).

• Bear in mind that your support boat may not have a head (toilet). You may enter the water to relieve yourself with the consent of the boat captain.

OFFICIAL OBSERVERS

• Make sure to bring all necessary items on the WaveOne Observer gear list including:

• A clipboard (WaveOne will supply the observer forms)

• Multiple pens

• A marine radio (May be supplied by WaveOne)

• You must also confirm your swimmer’s crew. ANY changes (including crew switches or additions) must be approved by WaveOne prior to boarding boats.

HOUSE RULES

• No one is allowed to consume alcoholic beverages on the boat.

• No rough housing.

• All trash (wrappers, cups, etc.) must be returned to the kayak or boat. Discarding trash in the river is cause for disqualification from this event.

• Spectators can view from many vantage points along the way and we encourage their participation.

• Pacing with the swimmer is allowed for one hour maximum, three times, with the boat captain’s consent. Pace swimming is only south of the Key Bridge, and is excluded in the area of Reagan National Airport.

NOTES

• We have collaborated with DC Department of Energy and Environment which grants us the permit to swim under guidelines that meet acceptable water quality standards for Class A contact (swimming).

Boat Observer Supplies (by NYOW, Laura Picardo)

-Stopwatches - Please have at least 2. Stopwatches or timer on your watch. Do not rely on a phone! Must record hours, minutes, and seconds

-Whistle

– Marine Radio: The Icom M25 is on the more costly side, but is highly endorsed by our head kayaker and is the one that we use. I will be looking for a few cheaper options, but if you are going to be observing several times over the years, this one is a solid investment. We may have some radios to lend, please contact us.

-Extra pens

-Clipboard

-Sunscreen

-Lip balm with SPF

-Hat

-UV blocking shirt. You will get an official DC Marathon shirt.

-Long, UV blocking Pants

- Clothes suitable for cooler night temperatures and possible wind in October

-Durable shoes that will not scuff a boat deck

-Swimsuit (optional)

-Polarized sunglasses - Ones that wrap all around your eyes

-Rain gear if rain forecast

-Towel or Baby Wipes

-Water

-Food - Be ready for a whole day on the water, so bring something like a PB & J in addition to snacks

-A “reward snack”. Something you really like that will make your brain say “yay!” but not melt in the sun

-Seasickness medication (if needed)

-Tylenol or Ibuprofen

-Eye Wash

-WATER

-Knife

-Duck Tape

-Extra Rope