Race Information Pack | metalman-swim-series

Race Information for Swimmers - 2015

Race day 1 will see the sprint swimmers going first. Order of the sprint/distance events will be confirmed after the first race is complete.

Location:

The event will take place at Rosses Point Beach, Sligo. In the event of poor weather conditions Mullaghmore beach will be used due to its more sheltered position. This will be notified to all swimmers and rescue crews two days in advance of each swim on the event website www.metalmanswimseries.com. Mullaghmore is approximately 25 minutes drive from Sligo Town, heading north on the Bundoran Road.

While all efforts will be made to spread the word through social media and email, It is the responsibility of the participants to check this each Thursday.

Race Routes and Buoys

The event will use a triangular course which will vary appropriately in length as the weeks progress. Sprint swimmers will do one lap of the course marked with large yellow inflatable bouys (shown below). The distance swimmers will do two laps of the same course.

The race will be a water start in approximately chest deep water. The finish will be on the beach, a short run up the sand to the finish area. There will be an opportunity to warm up in the water before each race starts. If you're taking part in the second of the two races on the day, stay warm while the other race is taking place.

Registration:

Main registration will take place on Friday evening 30th May(see timetable above). Swimmers will pick up their event t-shirt, timing chip, swim hat, sign the waiver and have their race number written on their hand. Once swimmers have completed these steps, it will only be necessary to have their number written on their hand and check in for subsequent races.

We will not be taking any entries on the day, so if you know of anyone thinking of doing this please let them know.

Timing System:

For the first time we're going to be using chip timing for the event. This is a first for the Northwest and puts us amongst very few swims in the country using this timing system. Timing chips will be worn on the swimmers ankles and will allow for instant and accurate finish times.

Timing will be provided by Sligo based company Core Timing.

Race HQ & Pre Race Briefing

A central contact point/race HQ will be set up. All necessary race information will be located here. This area will be in the Rosses Point Beach Car Park or Mullaghmore Beach Car Park in an appropriate location and housed in a temporary marquee.

Briefing will take place at the Race HQ 30 minutes before the first race starts and will be for both the sprint and distance events. It is compulsory for all participants to attend this as the course will be explained as well as important race and safety information.

Event Safety

All swimmers will be counted prior to the start of the race. Please follow the marshals instructions in this regard.
Swimmers will be held at the finish area until they are confirmed ashore. Please do not leave until the marshal instructs you to.
Sligo Kayak Club and Sligo Civil Defence Lifeboats will be there to ensure your safety.
If you need assistance while in the water, raise your hand, stay calm and you will be brought to shore if needed. If you can continue, you will not be disqualified for having stopped or leaned on one of the support boats or kayaks.
If a marshal deems you are not able to continue and have to be removed from the water, please co-operate as this will only be done with competitor safety in mind.
If you retire from the race it is very important to inform a marshal so we can account for you in our post race safety check.

Property & Valuables

Please do not ask marshals to mind your car keys or valuables as they will not be able to. There were some issues in previous years in another local swim in this regard. A key-pod is a great way to safely store your car keys while taking part in outdoor events. There is a lot of traffic through Rosses Point in the summer months so please exercise appropriate caution and do not leave valuables in view or unattended or your car keys in an obvious location.

Wetsuits & Water Temperature

Wearing of full wetsuits is compulsory. They act as a very effective buoyancy aid in their own right as well as keeping you warm and swim fast.
Anticipated water temperature is approximately 12 degrees Celsius. Depending on weather and marine conditions on the day this could vary by 1-2 degrees either way. Bring warm clothes to change into afterwards.

Toilets

Toilets are available in the beach car park at Rosses Point within 200m of the registration area for the event. These are operated by Sligo County Council.

Prizes

Trophies will be awarded in the following categories for both male and female competitors. Placing will be determined by the highest points finish (best two results from three). The age category prizes will be determined on position in final race only.

The Brendan Currid Memorial trophy and title of Metalman will be awarded to the swimmer with the most points gathered (including all three races) at the end of the competition and can come from either the sprint or distance events male or female.

Prizes will be presented at the event BBQ in Harry's Bar in Rosses Point after the final race. There will also be a free draw for lots of sponsored prizes.

Race Information for Swimmers - 2015

Race day 1 will see the sprint swimmers going first. Order of the sprint/distance events will be confirmed after the first race is complete.

Location:

While all efforts will be made to spread the word through social media and email, It is the responsibility of the participants to check this each Thursday.

Race Routes and Buoys

The event will use a triangular course which will vary appropriately in length as the weeks progress. Sprint swimmers will do one lap of the course marked with large yellow inflatable bouys (shown below). The distance swimmers will do two laps of the same course.

Registration:

We will not be taking any entries on the day, so if you know of anyone thinking of doing this please let them know.

Timing System:

For the first time we're going to be using chip timing for the event. This is a first for the Northwest and puts us amongst very few swims in the country using this timing system. Timing chips will be worn on the swimmers ankles and will allow for instant and accurate finish times.

Timing will be provided by Sligo based company Core Timing.

Race HQ & Pre Race Briefing

A central contact point/race HQ will be set up. All necessary race information will be located here. This area will be in the Rosses Point Beach Car Park or Mullaghmore Beach Car Park in an appropriate location and housed in a temporary marquee.

Briefing will take place at the Race HQ 30 minutes before the first race starts and will be for both the sprint and distance events. It is compulsory for all participants to attend this as the course will be explained as well as important race and safety information.

Event Safety

All swimmers will be counted prior to the start of the race. Please follow the marshals instructions in this regard.

Swimmers will be held at the finish area until they are confirmed ashore. Please do not leave until the marshal instructs you to.

Sligo Kayak Club and Sligo Civil Defence Lifeboats will be there to ensure your safety.

If you need assistance while in the water, raise your hand, stay calm and you will be brought to shore if needed. If you can continue, you will not be disqualified for having stopped or leaned on one of the support boats or kayaks.

If a marshal deems you are not able to continue and have to be removed from the water, please co-operate as this will only be done with competitor safety in mind.

If you retire from the race it is very important to inform a marshal so we can account for you in our post race safety check.

Property & Valuables

Wetsuits & Water Temperature

Wearing of full wetsuits is compulsory. They act as a very effective buoyancy aid in their own right as well as keeping you warm and swim fast.

Anticipated water temperature is approximately 12 degrees Celsius. Depending on weather and marine conditions on the day this could vary by 1-2 degrees either way. Bring warm clothes to change into afterwards.

Toilets

Toilets are available in the beach car park at Rosses Point within 200m of the registration area for the event. These are operated by Sligo County Council.

Prizes

Trophies will be awarded in the following categories for both male and female competitors. Placing will be determined by the highest points finish (best two results from three). The age category prizes will be determined on position in final race only.

The Brendan Currid Memorial trophy and title of Metalman will be awarded to the swimmer with the most points gathered (including all three races) at the end of the competition and can come from either the sprint or distance events male or female.

Prizes will be presented at the event BBQ in Harry's Bar in Rosses Point after the final race. There will also be a free draw for lots of sponsored prizes.