DETAILS

Grafham Water Swims 2017 
Date: 8th July 2017
Distances: 750m | 1500m | 3000m | 5250m (Multiple Laps)
Venue: Grafham Water, Marlow Car Park, Buckden Road, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0BH  DIRECTIONS

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

• 07:00 Car park Opens
• 07:30 Race Day Registration Opens
• 08:30 Registration Closes
• 08:45 Race Brief (Conducted in the start area)
• 09:00 Race Starts First Wave
• 09:05 Race Starts Second Wave

WEATHER

The weather seems as though it could be kind to you with a dry start and a tad chilly with light winds but as with all British weather this is subject to change.
See the predicted forecast HERE

PARKING

Parking is onsite and open from 07:00 on race day.
There is a venue car park charge, £3.00 for the day to be paid at the machines (I know, but that’s out of my hands!)

(Please be nice to our parking attendants they are volunteers. Anyone found being abusive to these guy’s will not be allowed to compete)

REGISTRATION & CHANGING

Morning of the event from 07:30 to 08:30. Don’t be late! Parking is onsite and open from 07:00, follow all signage. Its just 50 metres  from Registration

Please note: NOTHING WILL BE POSTED TO YOU;  Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to register and prepare yourselves (the races will start with or without you).

At registration you will receive the following items:

• 1 x timing chip and strap: This must be attached to your LEFT or RIGHT ankle, No chip, no time. If you are unsure of how to attach the chip please refer to the instructions at registration.(Please do not lose your chip it will cost you £10 for a replacement)
• Coloured swim hat 
• Hands will be marked with your race number for identification during racing

CHANGE TENTS

There will be 1 x Male & Female change tent to use prior and post swim. Car keys can be handed in a registration and will be tagged.

We accept no responsibility for lost baggage, keys etc.

COURSES

SWIM  (Various distances)

Swim hats will be provided and must be worn:

Swim hats will be provided and must be worn; each distance will have different colour hats.

All swimmers will start from the beach with a mass “run in” start. Throughout the clockwise swim you should keep the large Red buoys to your Right. The route is an 750 Metre lap, you should complete the correct amount of laps for the event entered (see list below). At the end of each lap you have the option to come out of the water around an island where there will be a feed station and back in or simply turn around the Red bouy in the water and continue with more laps. When you have completed the correct amount of laps you exit the water and finish line will be on the edge of the beach, this is where your finish time will be recorded from.

This event does have an optional Australian style exit every lap if you wish to feed or take on water.

Lap counting is your responsibility if you get it wrong it’s down to you, I will supply at “your request” elastic bands to put on your wrist, you can then remove one and place it on the opposite wrist each time you start the next lap.  You get the idea.  It’s worth doing as plenty of people get it wrong.

SWIM SAFETY
This is a natural enviroment, so as you enter and exit the water take your time and be aware of slips, trips and falls. At the water exit there will be a marshal at the waters edge to give you assistance if you require it.
Medical Water Safety UK  will be on the water for your safety.  Please abide by their directions. There will also be rescue launches from “Grafham Water Sailing Club” for your safety, again please abide by any directions given.
If during the swim you find your self or witness another athlete getting into difficulty, simply turn on your back and raise one arm into the air and raise a vocal alarm.  Canoeists, resue launces or bank rescue staff will come to your aid. If you appear to be struggling in the swim or have been in the water for a long time you may be pulled out at the discretion of the safety crews.
In windy conditions the water can get small waves and become choppy, which will make swimming more difficult, please use your common sense assess the conditions on the day and shorten your swim distance if you not sure you can complete it safely. Let the organisers know if you wish to do this.
*Note that water safety is only provided during the race itself. Do not swim outside the race*

*NO MP3 PLAYERS OR MUSIC DEVICES ARE ALLOWED DURING THE SWIM*

 *YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SWIM “BACKSTROKE” AT OUR EVENTS*

You will be disqualified if found doing so.

FINISH 

Here you will find refreshments.

Prior to leaving the finish area can you please ensure your chip is removed and placed in the bin provided. There will be marshals to assist with this.

There will be a large TV screen for you to get instant results and splits.

COMPULSORY SUIT WASH   (After your swim)

*If you did not wear a wetsuit this does not apply to you*

Grafham Water has very small highly invasive shrimp infestation, which is currently being contained within their waters. (Pin head size, you won’t see any, I am sure)

The shrimp are totally harmless to humans and will not affect you in anyway.

But if they were to get into other rivers and water courses it could have an effect on fish and other wildlife, which can significantly alter the ecology of other water sources. (They eat other fresh water shrimp)

So to enable us to use this wonderful facility I have to impose the following items on you the competitors.

1.     Swim hats to be worn at all times while in the water,

2.     If wetsuits are worn then they must go through the wash system provided before leaving the finish area.   After the event has finished

What is the wash  (After race completion)

Will consist of a dip in milton solution. The washing will be done for you; You will not be expected to do it.  Please just follow it to the end. Its only 1 minutes of your time

Please ensure your suit and any other equipment that has come in contact with the water is completely dried after use, this will kill any rouge shrimp that may have escaped….I Promise you won’t see any.

It’s probably the best wash your suit will ever get, the Milton is harmless to you and your suit and smells great, if it’s ok for your babies bottle then it should be good for you! Look at it as a free wash for your smelly old triathlon suit.

We have a legal obligation to do our bit to stop the spread of this species to other water bodies and the measures we have implemented will minimise that risk.

Your support in protecting the environment is appreciated

FIRST AID 

Water Saftey & Medical Ltd will be providing first aid cover throughout the event. If you are injured or witness a fellow competitor getting injured please alert a marshal who will call for assistance, also there are some marshals out on the course whom are first aid trained.

PRESENTATION 

This will take place as soon as the race is over outside registration; trophies will be for 1st, 2nd, 3rd only male and female in each race distance. Medals to all finishers except those that enter on the day of the race.

(Sorry unclaimed prizes will not be posted if you are unable to wait until the end)

Swim presentation:  12 am or as soon as the race is over.

SPECTATORS 

This is a spectator friendly race, you will be able to see the entire swim, and be able to walk and negotiate to better view points from the bank

On race day there a cafe where you can buy that pre-race bacon butty and a cup of tea/coffee.

THANK YOU 

Nicetri thank you for your support and hope to see you at future events. Please leave comments about the race, both good and bad on our web site, this will help us to improve the quality of events we bring to you, the competitor.

We hope you all have a great day and achieve your goals.

Good luck

RACE OFFERS

50% off discount code to be used across the Sundried Range.

Voucher Code: NICETRI

Check out their webiste at : https://www.sundried.com/collections

• See their new Mens tri suit at:  https://www.sundried.com/collections/men/products/mens-performance-trisuit
• See their new Ladies tri suit at:  https://www.sundried.com/collections/women/products/womens-performance-trisuit

OTHER UPCOMING RACES 

DUATHLONS:

• Bedford Autodrome Duathlons Race 2 – 15/10/2017 – All Day
  

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TRIATHLONS:

• Kimbolton Castle Childrens Pool Triathlon – 23/07/2017 – All Day
• Kimbolton Castle Pool Triathlon – 23/07/2017 – All Day
• Grafham Water Standard Distance Triathlon – 06/08/2017 – All Day
• St.Neots Triathlon Race 3 – 03/09/2017 – All Day
  

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