Safety Rules and Proceedures

Save The Bay takes Swim safety very seriously. Save The Bay engages many Rhode Island partners such as the United States Coast Guartd, DEM Environmental Poloice, Harbomasters, Police, Fire & Rescue, volunteer vessels and all of the Save The Bay vessels to support the Swim and keep all swimmers and kayakers safe. We also employ The Safety Squad, a team of approxiamtely 30 expereinced kayaks who serve as the eyes on the water to accompany the swimmers as a group. Swimmers can also have their own kayaker to accompany them across the Bay. If you have interest in being a part of the Safety Squad, please contact Leanne at ldanielsen@savebay.org. 

Individual Swimmer Qualifications:

All swimmers in this level must be 18 years or older and in good physical condition, as specified in the Waiver of Responsibility. In addition, you must have completed the Save The Bay Swim in one hour and 20 minutes or less in the past three years; OR You must provide either: Written documentation on official stationery that you have completed another long-distance, open-water swim in the past three years or less (mail, fax or email a copy of your results with the name of the event, contact person, date and distance); OR A letter signed by a witness (a coach, lifeguard or staff member who works at the pool in which you perform your swim test), who has witnessed you swimming two miles in a pool in an hour or less. This letter must be written or typed on official letterhead of the organization where the pool is located. It must also include the time in which you completed the two miles, along with the date the test was performed. All qualifications are subject to approval by Save The Bay. All swimmers who do not meet the Individual Swimmer criteria must swim with a kayaker.

Swimmer with Kayaker Qualifications:
All swimmers in this level must be 15 years or older and in good physical condition, as specified in the Waiver of Responsibility. In addition, you must provide your own kayak and kayaker to accompany you along the swim course. See Kayaker Qualifications.

Volunteer kayakers who are not assigned to a swimmer must meet the same equipment requirements. Please call Leanne at 401-272-3540, x140 to register for the Save The Bay Kayak Safety Squad. Every Swim participant MUST sign all waivers and an Emergency Contact Form.ed. All qualifications are subject to approval by Save The Bay.

KAYAK CHECKLIST (Mandatory items)

____ SEAWORTHY KAYAK OR SIT-ON-TOP KAYAK (9.5 ft minimum, 6” grace)

____ TWO ADULT LIFE JACKETS – one for the kayaker, one for the swimmer (One PFD may be a throwable)

____ WHISTLE / SIGNALING DEVICE

 Strongly Recommended Equipment:

  • Paddle float and pump (if there is a cockpit) 

  • Spray skirt (if there is a cockpit) 

  • Paddle leash (or other means of attaching paddle)

  • All Kayakers must be 18 years or older and have experience in a kayak. The Kayaker must be able to kayak as fast as their Swimmer can swim. Kayakers must be able to hold their Swimmer until help arrives if necessary