FOR CONFIDENT OPEN WATER SWIMMERS 14 YEARS AND OVER.

Understanding the Risks:
All swimmers agree to swim at entirely their own risk and in the unlikely event of injury, accident, loss or damaged suffered, however it may be caused, no responsibility whatsoever will be attached to the organisers, or any persons involved in the organising of Ocean Walker events at the Ocean Walker Academy.

IMPORTANT: Where attending an event means you need to travel abroad – please ensure you have your own comprehensive travel insurance cover for open water swimming abroad. This should cover yourself for; illness, accident, emergency repatriation, cancellation, lost luggage and delays and most importantly open water swimming!
Taking into account a crisis situation such as COVID-19, please check with your insurance provider so that you are fully aware of the options available to you.
It is your responsibility to provide your own cover based on the type of course you attend.

ABILITY LEVEL & AGE
Competent open water swimmers only open water swimming race events.
Swimmers must be able to swim their race distance in the pool before attempting open water.
This is not an event for swimmers who haven’t tried open water swimming before.
It is the swimmers responsibility to ensure their fitness, health and wellbeing is suitable in the run up to, during and following the event.
You must be 18 years and over to book this event (book on someone elses behalf).
Participating swimmers must be 14 years and over to take part.
Swimmers under the age of 18years must wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is 15 degrees celcius or below.
Swimmers under the age of 18years must have an adult/parent/guardian watching over them at all times.
By booking this event you are confirming the above applies to you.

OPEN WATER CONDITIONS
The temperature of the lake will be measured before any swim takes place and the event page on our website will be updated in the run up to the event – please check this as and when you require.
The water quality of the lake is tested regularly and results are excellent.

LIFEGUARDS, FIRST AID AND YOUR SAFETY
The venue Ocean Walker Academy provide qualified open water lifeguards who will be stationed around the lake and keeping watch over the event providing water safety and first aid support.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING
Your usual open water swim kit.
You will be given a RACE COLOUR CODED Ocean Walker Swim Cap when you sign in at reception, this must be worn for the event.

REFRESHMENTS will be available to purchase from reception throughout the day. (Drinks and cakes).

EVENT RULES:

Stroke Types:
1.5k Breastroke Race = Strictly Breaststroke only
1.5k Freestyle Race = Front Crawl, but can break into Breaststroke if required
6k Freestyle Race = Front Crawl, but can break into or compete the race using Breaststroke or Butterfly if you wish.
Prize Giving Categories remain the same so it is the swimmers own decision if they choose to opt for an alternative swim stroke where it is allowed.

Equipment/Swimwear:
Only standard equipment allowed.
Mandatory Swimwear
Swimsuit/Swim Shorts
Swim Cap (must wear swim cap provided)
Goggles
Optional Swimwear that is allowed
Wetsuit/Tri-suit
Neoprene gloves/boots
Rash Vest
Ear Plugs
Nose Plugs

You are not permitted to wear any swimming aids or equipment that would further assist your race. Items such as Fins and Paddles, will not be permitted.

General

• You are to aim to complete your chosen swim based on the duration of the race shown.
• If you need to finish your swim early, please attempt to make it to the main entry/exit point – unless in an emergency, where you will be advised of alternative exits.
• Once you finish your swim, you must exit the water immediately at the designated entry/exit point.
• The course is a marked out loop indicated clearly with buoy markers.
• Swimmers must always follow the course route at all times.
• Swimmers must be respectful of each other in and out of the water.
• Swimmers where possible to keep 2m apart from each other in the water.
• OWA team will run through the course and remind you of the rules prior to your swim start time.
• You must only enter the water when advised to do so by the OWA team members.
• You must exit the water when advised to do so by the OWA team members.
• It is the swimmers responsibility to assess their fitness and ability to compete safely.
• Swimmers will follow the instructions of the OWA team on the day to ensure theirs and others safety. This may involve you being asked to leave the water before the end of your session if we deem it necessary for your safety (eg. change in weather, your swim buddy is concerned about your safety, the OWA team are concerned about your safety, or your actions).
• The decisions made by the organisers are final.

VENUE RULES

• Please follow timings on the agenda.
• Bring all of your equipment with you from the car park, and sign in at reception.
• Proceed to the advised waiting area for your swim where we will brief you about the session, safety and course.
• Keep your kit bag and shoes together placed in the designated area as signposted at the venue.
• Please follow signage at the venue and adhere to signage rules.
• Strictly no smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere on site.
• Strictly no alcohol or drugs allowed anywhere on site.
• No dogs allowed at this event.
• Do not litter, please take your rubbish home with you.
• Do not pick or move flowers/grass, stones/rocks, displays.
• Do not swing on, climb, draw or carve any of the trees.
• No jumping off, or hanging onto or around the jetty.
• Do not throw anything into the lake, unless it is a feeding bottle thrown by a buddy to a swimmer – in which case the bottle will be attached to a rope as detailed in the event rules.

Photography and filming:
Ocean Walker and Ocean Walker Academy will be taking photos and videos on the day of the event for promotional use in marketing and social media.
If you do not wish to participate in a group photo, please step aside when asked to do so.

Booking & Payment
Payment is made in full at the time of booking.
Spectators will be required to pay £3 cash on entry at reception.
By booking you are agreeing to all of the terms and conditions detailed on this page.

CANCELLATION POLICY
A minimum of 30 days notice is required for a full refund (less payment processing fees).
You must contact us in writing to advise of cancellation.
If you are no longer able to make the event, but have someone who would like to take your place instead – you must contact us immediately by email providing us with the details of the replacament swimmer so we can send them a booking form.
A replacement swimmer must be organised with no less than 72 hours notice prior to the event date.
It is yours and the replacement swimmers responsibility to arrange funds between yourselves.
The replacement swimmer must meet the event criteria.
We must receive the replacement swimmers form filled out prior to the 72 hours notice period.

CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT BY THE ORGANISER
If we, the organisers, deem it unsafe for the event to take place for reasons beyond our control such as weather or any change to restrictions implemented regarding Covid-19 for example, then you will be notified as soon as possible and the event will be re-arranged for an alternative date.