INDIVIDUAL SWIMMER 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 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.

Kayak Escort Option: If you do not submit one of these qualifications, you can register as a Swimmer with Kayaker to escort you. Kayak registration ends Monday, June 17, 2024.

Limited scholarships are available for swimmers ages 15 to 21. Please email Leanne Danielsen for information on how to apply. Ldanielsen@savebay.org.

 

 

KAYAKER QUALIFICATIONS

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

While not required, Kayakers are invited to raise funds and compete for prizes. 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.


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


KAYAK RENTAL

For kayak rentals and delivery, please contact Narrow River Kayaks or The Kayak Centre
Kayak Centre Email: funn@kayakcentre.com
Kayak Centre Phone: (401) 295-4400

Narrow River Email: info@narrowriverkayaks.com
Narrow River Phone: 401-789-0334

KAYAKER PROTOCOL

    • Kayakers and Swimmers register with volunteers at check in and receive their mesh vest.
    • Mesh vests will be color coded for kayak waves three, four and five (blue, yellow, green).
    • The number on the kayaker’s mesh vest will match the swimmer number of the swimmer they are responsible for.
    • Kayakers will be briefed on the protocol on the water before the Swim and told that mesh vests must be worn on the outside of their Personal Flotation Device (PFD) during the Swim.
    • They will be directed to land in a designated area near the finish line at Potter Cove.
    • They must hand in their mesh vest to volunteer/staff who will be distinguished by a designated, bright-green t-shirt.

Notes: We can not enforce kayakers to get out of the water in Jamestown. During the safety briefing, we will announce that kayakers should not paddle back to Newport, but arrange for a vehicle pick up at the finish in Jamestown. Since mesh vest numbers on kayakers will match the swimmer number, the Safety Squad will have better visibility of swimmers in the water.

Finish Line: Potter Cove, Jamestown. Volunteeers on beach/in water collect mesh vests; additional volunteers run mesh vests to check out table, calling out the vest numbers in hand while other volunteers check off numbers on pre-printed spreadsheets.