Kincardine Women's Triathlon ~ July 14th, 2007

Welcome to the Swim Course page. This contains information you need to know about how the swim course is laid out, swimming in open water and water safety.

The Course

The swim course is a try a tri swim course length of approximately 375m. The swim start is from Station Beach, just south of the breakwater. There is a swim of about 50m out in to the lake. The course is then approximately 275m parallel to the beach, and about 50m back to shore. The start and end of the swim course will be clearly marked with banners, two large orange buoys mark the section parallel to the beach. A pre race briefing will be given near the swim start shortly before the race gets underway.

Swimming in Open Water

Swimming in open water can often be daunting to those only used to swimming in a pool. Additionally the conditions (water temperature, swell, currents, etc.) are unpredictable. The try a tri distance triathlon is an excellent introduction to the sport of triathlon for those new to the sport, however this is not the time to undertake your first swim over this distance or first swim in open water.

It is highly recommended that all participants in the swim wear a wet suit. (Wet suits can be hired for the race by phoning D’ornellas, see our sponsors’ links.) Not only does this keep you warmer than you would be, it also provides added buoyancy. On race day a measurement will be made of the typical swim course temperature, which will be posted in the registration area. If the temperature is below 16^°C and you are not intending to wear a wet suit you are strongly advised not to participate in the swim leg of the race. (Transfers from the triathlon to the duathlon will be accepted up to shortly before the start of the race.) If the temperature is below 13^°C the swim leg will be cancelled and all participants will be transferred to the duathlon.

You are advised to arrive early enough to assess the swim conditions. If on the day you are uncertain about your ability to safely complete the course you can transfer to the duathlon at any point until shortly before the start of the race. The race committee will review the lake conditions on race day, and if they consider they pose a hazard to many of the participants, the swim leg of the race will be cancelled and participants will be transferred to the duathlon. However it is your responsibility to determine if the lake conditions pose a hazard to you with your level of swimming experience.

Water Safety

Life guards and rescue boats will patrol the swim course to assist swimmers who get in to difficulty. However the best form of water safety is to ensure you are capable of completing this type of swim before you enter the race. This would mean being able to cover in excess of the 375m course distance in a continuous swim in a pool, having previously covered a similar distance in a continuous open water swim, or having participated in a similar distance or longer open water swim as part of a triathlon.

At registration on race day you will be asked to sign a waiver, part of which will ask you to confirm that you have met or exceeded these minimum standards. The waiver form will be posted on this web site. In training to meet these minimum standards please ensure that you train safely, with adequate supervision and rescue close at hand. Never train in open water on your own.

In the event that you are unable to complete the swim course, you will not be allowed to participate in the bike and run stages of the race. It is therefore very important that you transfer to the duathlon if you believe you way not be able to complete the swim.

By following the advice above you should have an enjoyable and safe race. Good luck with your training!