Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
General Rules:
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Why is the race so early?
We have been swimming in the lake for years and the best conditions are early in the morning when the wind is typically calmest. For the safety of the swimmers we are starting early in the morning.
Who rents wetsuits?
Gear West in the Western Twin Cities suburbs rents wetsuits. https://www.gearwest.com/pages/rentals
Is there a group that practices open waterer swimming in Duluth?
There is a group that swims Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at local lakes (Pike Lake, Island Lake and Lake Superior) at 6:30am throughout the summer (once it warms up enough). Just answer the question that you are a swimmer when asked why you want to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/596816537012053
Are there awards?
We will have 39 & under and 40 & over for our first year.
Is the lake clean?
Lake Superior is a clean lake. Water monitoring and testing is done along the beach at 3 locations and results can be found at https://mnbeaches.org/. We will be following their water quality guidelines.
What's the temperature?
The temperature varies throughout the summer and changes with the wind direction. Want to know what it is right now? This is a scientific site run through the MN Sea Grant Need historical data? Check out SeaTemperature.info. Also check out the Park Point Beach Conditions. We also check https://www.d.umn.edu/buoys/, and https://lakemonster.com/lake/WI/Lake%20Superior-water-temperature-237
How does the bussing work? Is there parking at the start?
There is limited parking near the start lines for each race. To alleviate this we will be providing bussing from the finish line area to the starts. We will work with the bussing company to determine the timing for the last bus for each start. Park in one of the parking lots near the Park Point Beach House, and grab the shuttle to the start line. We welcome any spotters who are walking along with you to also ride the bus. Link to Parking Lot location.
Can I use swim buoy?
Swim buoys are highly encouraged!
Can I use fins and paddles?
Yes, but you will be placed in a non-competitive division.
Is the course hilly?
The swim is typically flat, but depending on the wind can be a little bit rolling.
Is there swag?
We are working on it. We are planning for shirts for all participants.
Anything else fun?
We have Setri Barrel Saunas lined up for the finish, and post race food.
I'm from out of town, where can I stay?
Duluth and the North Shore are very popular tourist destinations. Go to visitduluth.com or visitsuperior.com to find lodging options. Of course we are biased and love the Endion Station Inn and the Oliver Inn for lodging and Fitger's Brewhouse and the Burrito Union for food.
How's traffic to the finish area/Parking lot?
We have a beautiful bridge that people flock to Duluth to see! It also is fun to watch it go up and down! Unfortunately that means that if the bridge goes up you have to wait (getting "bridged"). We recommend getting onto Park Point/crossing the bridge at least 45 minutes before your race time, and an hour if you need to pick up your race packet. This will give you time to get to the end of the point (the finish area) and catch a bus back to the start.
Please read the policy and instructions below for withdrawals and changes BEFORE contacting the race director:
To defer your registration or change distances please contact [email protected]
REFUND/TRANSFER POLICY
Refund: There will be no refunds.
Transfers: There are no individual transfers (giving up your spot to another person).
Deferrals: Participants may defer to the following year for any reason up to 3 weeks from the date of the race. You must email [email protected] no later than 3 weeks prior to race date.
- Full sleeve wetsuits and neoprene head cap highly recommended.
- A personal spotter who walks on beach recommended
- Temperature below 58 equals shortened race
- Timing: mass starts when gun goes off and finish is on beach where water meets beach
- Drafting allowed
- Stay on beach side of orange buoys and within 3m of every buoy
- No walking forward
- You can exit water and sit on beach. Then go back in and finish and won’t be penalized, but no forward walking on beach
- If you drop out, simply exit water and walk to finish line. Inform head timer.
- Lifeguards will be on beach and in the water along w kayakers
- A Red Flag Warning, or temperatures below 52 on the beach will have us pivot to a 1 mile looped course in the bay.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Why is the race so early?
We have been swimming in the lake for years and the best conditions are early in the morning when the wind is typically calmest. For the safety of the swimmers we are starting early in the morning.
Who rents wetsuits?
Gear West in the Western Twin Cities suburbs rents wetsuits. https://www.gearwest.com/pages/rentals
Is there a group that practices open waterer swimming in Duluth?
There is a group that swims Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at local lakes (Pike Lake, Island Lake and Lake Superior) at 6:30am throughout the summer (once it warms up enough). Just answer the question that you are a swimmer when asked why you want to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/596816537012053
Are there awards?
We will have 39 & under and 40 & over for our first year.
Is the lake clean?
Lake Superior is a clean lake. Water monitoring and testing is done along the beach at 3 locations and results can be found at https://mnbeaches.org/. We will be following their water quality guidelines.
What's the temperature?
The temperature varies throughout the summer and changes with the wind direction. Want to know what it is right now? This is a scientific site run through the MN Sea Grant Need historical data? Check out SeaTemperature.info. Also check out the Park Point Beach Conditions. We also check https://www.d.umn.edu/buoys/, and https://lakemonster.com/lake/WI/Lake%20Superior-water-temperature-237
How does the bussing work? Is there parking at the start?
There is limited parking near the start lines for each race. To alleviate this we will be providing bussing from the finish line area to the starts. We will work with the bussing company to determine the timing for the last bus for each start. Park in one of the parking lots near the Park Point Beach House, and grab the shuttle to the start line. We welcome any spotters who are walking along with you to also ride the bus. Link to Parking Lot location.
Can I use swim buoy?
Swim buoys are highly encouraged!
Can I use fins and paddles?
Yes, but you will be placed in a non-competitive division.
- Non-Competitive Division is not a race but will be timed for the swimmer's interest.
- Swim aids such as fins, snorkels, and hand paddles are permitted.
- Open Water Swim Buoys are strongly recommended.
- Non-Competitive Division swimmers will be monitored by safety volunteers.
- Swimmers will start behind the competitive racers.
Is the course hilly?
The swim is typically flat, but depending on the wind can be a little bit rolling.
Is there swag?
We are working on it. We are planning for shirts for all participants.
Anything else fun?
We have Setri Barrel Saunas lined up for the finish, and post race food.
I'm from out of town, where can I stay?
Duluth and the North Shore are very popular tourist destinations. Go to visitduluth.com or visitsuperior.com to find lodging options. Of course we are biased and love the Endion Station Inn and the Oliver Inn for lodging and Fitger's Brewhouse and the Burrito Union for food.
How's traffic to the finish area/Parking lot?
We have a beautiful bridge that people flock to Duluth to see! It also is fun to watch it go up and down! Unfortunately that means that if the bridge goes up you have to wait (getting "bridged"). We recommend getting onto Park Point/crossing the bridge at least 45 minutes before your race time, and an hour if you need to pick up your race packet. This will give you time to get to the end of the point (the finish area) and catch a bus back to the start.
Please read the policy and instructions below for withdrawals and changes BEFORE contacting the race director:
To defer your registration or change distances please contact [email protected]
REFUND/TRANSFER POLICY
Refund: There will be no refunds.
Transfers: There are no individual transfers (giving up your spot to another person).
Deferrals: Participants may defer to the following year for any reason up to 3 weeks from the date of the race. You must email [email protected] no later than 3 weeks prior to race date.
