Rules of Kingdom Swim
In establishing our Rules for Kingdom Swim we have tried to be fair to all and maintain consistency with several of our primary goals:
First, that this event will provide a world class challenge to the many upper level recreational and competitive marathon open water swimmers now participating in this sport;
Second, that a wide range of other options will be available to assure inclusiveness to all types of swimmers, all abilities of swimmers, and all ages of swimmers.
Third, above all else, that this event should be a fun and well supported experience for as many participants as possible and an inspiration for many to push themselves just a
little bit farther with their training and conditioning.
We are very pleased that the Roster of Participants assembled to date very much reflects these goals. We have swimmers who have crossed the English Channel and done around
Manhattan Island. We have three-mile speedsters, used to lapping it up in pools for most of their lives, many of whom are just moving into open water competition. And
we have recreational long distance swimmers who just love the experience of being out on a lake somewhere. And we have an age spread of 6 years old to 65 years old.
We have also tried to listen to the concerns of various participants in forming these rules, because, ultimately, this is your event, not ours. One thing we have tried to
do is provide clarity and consistency on issues of importance.
With that said, here are the rules we have established so far, with more to come as the need arises (Please also check the Safety section on our web site). If any of
our rules pose particular issues for particular swimmers, please contact phil@wilsonwhite.com.
- Start and Finish
A “line in the sand” at Prouty Beach marks the start and finish of all races. Swimmers cannot cross the line in the sand to enter the water and begin swimming
until the round of artillery fire has signaled the start. Swimmers will not be deemed to have completed the event until some part of their body (hand, foot, elbow,
ear, etc.) crosses the “line in the sand.”
2. Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association Rules
To the extent applicable, all rules of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association, apply to this event. http://www.santabarbarachannelswim.org/rules.html
3. USMS Rules
Kingdom Swim is a USMS Sanctioned event. The rules of USMS, to the extent applicable to this open water swim, apply.
4. USA Swimming Rules
Kingdom Swim is also a USA Swimming sanctioned event for youth. The rules of USA Swimming, to the extent applicable to this open water swim apply.
5. Conflicts
To the extent that particular rules identified above conflict, the Organizing Committee will resolve the conflict as fairly and consistently as we can, keeping in mind the
goals and purposes of the swim.
6. High Pledges and Selection of Prizes
For determination of high pledging, acceptance of new donations will be closed as of 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 25th. The person with the highest level of donations
actually received and in hand by IROC (by check, cash or pay pal) as of that time will have first pick of the High Pledge Awards. The second highest donations will
then have their pick. Third, will then pick, etc.
These prizes are distinguished from the Thank You Gifts that are provided automatically to all those whose donations have reached certain levels
7. All swimmers, adult and youth, should also be aware of and agree to the following special conditions of participation:
- All adult swimmers must be registered members of U.S. Master Swimmers (single day registrations will be available on the day of the event itself). All youth swimmers must be registered members of USA Swimming in order to participate (again, single day registrations will be available on the day of the event itself).
- All 3 mile and 10 mile swimmers must be accompanied by a kayak throughout the swim. For all long distance swimmers, we strongly recommend that they provide their own support person to paddle the kayak and provide nutrition, water, and direction during the swim. We can rent kayaks for a daily fee and can also make arrangements for spotters based on availability on a first come first served basis.
- We reserve the absolute discretion and right to cancel, postpone, re-schedule, or suspend the swim if and when we determine that the weather or the water conditions are particularly hazardous or threatening to the safety of our participants, or their support craft. Sunday, July 25th and Monday, July 26th have been set aside as alternate dates for the swim in the event of extremely adverse weather conditions.
- Kayakers provided by IROC to support individual swimmers have the absolute right to withdraw from participation in the event out of their own individual concern for hazardous or threatening weather or water conditions regardless of whether the event itself is allowed to go forward.
- We reserve the absolute discretion and right to terminate an individual’s registration or pull individual swimmers from the water at any time we determine that participation in the swim or continuation of the swim is detrimental or hazardous to his or her physical, emotional or psychological well being.
- Each youth swimmer under the age of 18 must have ongoing parental consent to participate and must be reviewed and approved by Peter Start a member of the Youth Committee or youth swim coaches delegated by the committee to certify individual youth swimmers they have coached.
- If event officials observe any evidence of undue pressure being placed by parents or other adults on youth swimmers to participate in or complete the event, we reserve the right to terminate the registration, withdraw our approval to swim, and/or pull the swimmer from the water.
By entering this event, each swimmer agrees to the rules of the swim and to each of these special conditions