WASHINGTON’S CROSSING ATHLETE INFORMATION
RACE START UPDATE IS FOUND ON OUR HOME PAGE - HERE
Swimmers,
Thank you for registering for the 2024 Washington's Crossing: Swim Across the Potomac River! The forecast is for a beautiful swim day. Arrive ready to swim. The 2.5 mile event will start first at 7:45AM, followed by the 1.25 mile event immediately after. Parking is at the lot adjacent to the water and in buildings around the property. The dock we will be starting from is located in front of Fogo de Chao resturant.
Double check your equipment and get psyched to swim across the Potomac!! Latest UPDATES are found here: https://www.waveoneopenwater.com/latest-news-info
Thank you for swimming with WaveOne Open Water.
Following is information for tomorrow's swim:
2024 Washington’s Crossing: Swim Across the Potomac
USCG Permit Number: #1837464230681
SWIMMER INFORMATION AND EVENT PLAN
TIMELINE: Sunday 02 June, 2024
NO RAIN OR ALTERNATIVE DATE
CHECK IN: 2-Way Crossing Wave: Check-in 7:00AM; Safety Briefing on the pier 7:45AM; Enter water and start after briefing.
Single Crossing Wave: Check-in 7:15AM; Safety Briefing on the pier 8:00AM; Enter water and start after briefing.
Race Concludes approximately 10:00 AM
SAFETY COMMUNICATION
Event support - primary communication is marine radio Ch 72
COURSE DESIGNATION: The course shall begin at the dock on the south side of the Commercial or Freedom Pier at National Harbor. Swimmers shall advance toward the Wilson Bridge and turn west to the center of the Potomac River parallel to the Wilson Bridge. The swimmers (Green caps) entered in the 1.25 mile event shall turn clockwise around the large yellow buoy marked with a green buoy approximately halfway across the river and return to the Freedom Pier start/finish point. The 2.5 mile swimmers (Yellow cap) shall continue across the Potomac to the western side to a large yellow buoy near Jones Point, turn counter clockwise and return to the Freedom Pier start/finish point. Large Yellow buoys will mark the entry/exit to the Freedom Pier, course turn toward the west approximately 1000 meters from the start, the 1.25 mile turnaround point for the 1.25 mile swimmers, and the turn point for the 2.5 mile swimmers at Jones Point. Large orange buoys shall be placed to help guide swimmers to maintain a direct course. See Course Map and buoy location map. Maps shall be posted on the pier so swimmers can view the course during pre-race staging and orientation.
WEATHER - Weather affecting visibility such as rain or potential storms will be caused to cancel the event. Winds above 14 knots or gusts above 20 knots will be caused to cancel or delay the event. Weather will be tracked with Radar Now, Weather Bug or other apps that display and forecast the DCA/Sterling Washington/Dulles radar feeds. Cancellation or delay will be the responsibility of the Race Director.
Tide is ebb creating primarily a southern direction cross current to the course. Kayakers will be stationed throughout the course primarily on the south side of the yellow buoy line during the first 45 – 60 minutes and the red buoy line thereafter. Any swimmers migrating south of the red buoy line during the return (east bound) leg shall be directed back on course or powered watercraft will be requested to bring them back to shore. If the outgoing tidal current is strong enough, kayakers will shift to provide a buffer between the bridge and swimmers.
Race will not be started until we are 3 hours clear of any pending electrical weather activity. If an emergency occurs, water will be cleared immediately. Slower swimmers will be picked up in first in the area of the emergency with motorized boats. There is no rain date.
EVENT DETAILS
LOCATION: North Cove (Commercial Pier) at National Harbor, MD 20745
See www.nationalharbor.com for Hotels, Directions, Maps and other information.
Event Web Site: https://www.waveoneopenwater.com/washingtons-crossing
SPONSOR/HOST: WaveOne Open Water, www.waveoneopenwater.com
PARKING and OTHER: Parking is available for a fee on the National Harbor Property. You may keep your BAG on the dock or pier at your own risk. Bikes can be locked to racks. A SHOWER is provided to rinse off after the swim. REST ROOMS are available adjacent to the Chipotle of the street that parallels the water
ARRIVE PREPARED TO SWIM!
COURSE: Course shall be swum from National Harbor to the Virginia side of the Potomac River back to the Maryland side culminating at the pier of National Harbor. Both courses start and finish at the dock on the south side of the Commercial Pier. The 1-way course is approximately 2.3 kilometers or 1.3 miles, which begins at National Harbor to the river midpoint turn buoy and returns to start/finish. The 2-Way course will begin at the dock on the north side of the Commercial Pier, across the river to a yellow turn buoy on the western side of the Potomac, and back to the starting point at National Harbor. The start and finish will both occur "in water". Swimmers will be directed to stay north of each buoy line and target each buoy to navigate across the river.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS: Water temperature is expected to be in the mid to upper 70’sF. Wetsuits are allowed. Air temperature is expected to be in the mid 70’s by race time. Please bring water and other hydrating liquids. Prepare for the sun before the race and apply sunscreen AFTER YOU ARE NUMBERED.
ENTRIES: All entries must be submitted online. (Entry Deadline: Online entries must be submitted the day prior to race time, Saturday June 1, 2024 7PM. All signatures,including coach’s verification, if necessary. Parent's must be present to resister an under 18 participant. Walk-up entries will not be accepted on race day. COACHES FOR TEAM ENTRIES AND INQUIRIES, email: info@waveoneswimming.com
RULES: Rules are based on modified 2024 USA Swimming Rules will govern this event, adjusted for this swim event. Wetsuits, and swim aids will be allowed, but not counted as an official time. Eligibility: Each swimmer must be entered online. Only one swimmer may enter per entry form. Swimmers under 18 entering the meet must have form completed and signed by their parent or guardian.
SWIMMER CHECK-IN: Check in opens at 7:00 AM for body marking for 2Way swim, 7:15 for the 1.25 mile swim. Mandatory safety meeting per Timeline. Mandatory attendance is required for the SAFETY briefing on the pier.
SWIM START: Swimmers shall enter the water per wave, from the dock, and once in the water, line up for a mass in-water start. All swimmers must show assigned number and be wearing a race supplied cap to be allowed water entry. NO WARM UP.
SWIMMERS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a disability that needs our attention, please notify us prior to the event so we can prepare for your needs.
TIME LIMIT: Maximum Time Limit in the water shall be 75 minutes from the start for one way event, 110 minutes for the 2-way event. Swimmers still on the course at MTL may be removed from the swim course at the Referee's discretion. Swimmers not making steady and significant progress will be pulled or sent back to the starting point. Any 2-way swimmer not reaching the western turn buoy within 50 minutes of the start may be directed back to the start/finish.
Failure to make halfway time, the swimmer must turn back to start/finish or be pulled from the swim. It is the event director's intention to provide ample time for all swimmers to finish the event.
WEATHER DELAY: Will be at the sole discretion of the Event Director. Race will be rain or shine, delays or cancellation may result from high winds, atmospheric electrical activity or other endangering conditions.
CANCELLATION: Will be posted on the event web site on the UPDATES page: https://www.waveoneopenwater.com/ at the earliest point possible; please check the web site before traveling to the venue. Entry Fees are nonrefundable. Refunds of any portion or kind will not be given for any reason prior to the start of the swims.
RECOGNITION AWARDS: Finish awards are awarded to each swimmer completing the swim. Recognition awards shall be given to fastest non-wetsuit female and male swimmer. Awards will be presented to every finisher.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Temperature ranges from 75F - 78F for this time of year.
WETSUITS and SWIM APPAREL: Article 303.7.3B of U.S. Masters Swimming Rules states that "Wetsuits or any other heat retaining swim wear may be allowed at the discretion of the event director when the water temperature does not exceed 78 degrees Fahrenheit..." This 78 degree limit will be enforced. Please look for water temperatures to be posted the last week prior to the event.). Use of wetsuits will be announced on swim day. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit will be ranked separately. Swimmers may wear a “full-body” suit as long as the suit does not extend below the ankle or beyond the shoulder and does not cover the neck. Swimmers wearing wet suits or full body suits will be scored separately. A reasonable amount of body grease may be applied after body marking. Up to two swim caps may be worn and the outer cap must be the colored race cap provided on site to all competitors. In addition to goggles, nose-clips, ear plugs, fins, swim buoys and watches are permissible.
SWIM TIMES AND RESULTS: Will be posted IN THE AFTERNOON on the website asap following the event.
VOLUNTEERS: Swimmers and their families are welcome to volunteer to help run the swim. If you are interested, please send an email to info@waveoneswimming.com to volunteer. Thank you!
EVENT DIRECTOR and WaveOne Swimming reserve the right to make changes at their sole discretion. All events and pricing subject to change without notice.
Please refer to the website for any questions and clarifications. If they are not addressed on the website, email: info@waveoneswimming.com. UPDATES ARE FOUND HERE
HAVE A GREAT SWIM!!
Volunteers are always appreciated especially at check in. Email info@waveoneswimming.com if your family or friends wishes to help out. Thank you in advance.
DIRECTIONS: National Harbor is located in Maryland immediately south of the Wilson Bridge. Exits directly lead to NH from both 295 and 495. See HERE for specific directions.
PARKING is located near the water in open lots as you enter National Harbor and in building garages throughout the property. The closest lot is adjacent to the water and the carousel. All parking is metered and payment is not included in the entry fee.
SPECTATORS are welcome to view the race from the pier, from the Wilson Bridge and possibly from Virginia.
GEAR STORAGE: There will be an area set aside for storage of personal items. Storage is at your own risk. We do not guarantee the condition of any belongings. Please leave valuables at home.
SWIM SAFE BUOYS: In the interest of swimmer safety, we are requesting swimmers with no or limited open water swimming experience to wear a safety buoy. Swim buoys are for the race only, but will be available for purchase for $20 each.
RACE FINISH: The race finish is at the same dock where you started. Upon completion, shout out your bib number so we can accurately record your finish. Exit the water using one of the dock ladders. Detach your swim buoy (if used) and hand it to a volunteer. A shower will be on the dock to rinse off.
Have a safe, enjoyable and very memorable swim!