FESTIVAL DETAILS
LOCATION: The event takes place in the magnificent Carlisle Bay with the start & finish in front of our new home base for 2023 the Barbados Yacht Club.
2KM GUIDED SWIMS: Three Practice Swims, every afternoon from Wed. Nov. 8th - Friday 10th offer a great opportunity to experience three gorgeous open water venues in Barbados. These informal practices are not timed, swimmers swim at their own pace and these swims offer a fabulous opportunity to meet other swimmers from around the world before the races on the weekend. Sign up online. 1.5KM SWIM RACE: One lap clockwise going south from the Barbados Yacht Club (BYC) to the old Hilton Hotel pier and then north through Carlisle Bay before returning to the BYC. This is a very picturesque course in the shallow turquoise waters of Carlisle Bay. The visibility is excellent with good opportunities to spot tropical fish and turtles. Little to no current. See route map at the bottom of page. 1.5KM ‘JUST FOR FUN’ SWIM: Don’t want to race but would like the experience of swimming the course with the racers, then this is the event for you. No official timing or placing. Swimmers are welcomed to use swim aids like snorkels, fins, etc. Excellent event for 1st timers and families. Just for Fun Swimmers starts couple minutes after the racers. Funds from this event are donated to the Variety Club Children's Charity of Barbados. 3.3KM SWIM RACE: Two laps of a course that includes the 1.5k route with an extension added. 5KM SWIM RACE: Three laps of a course that includes the 1.5km route with an extension added. 10KM SWIM RACE: Six laps of the same course used for the 5k. This is the Olympic Distance and will include a feeding station. All 10k swimmers are welcomed to items available at the feeding station. The feeding station is for 10k swimmers only. Swimmers can also receive feeding from friends / family. MULTIPLE WEEKEND SWIMS: Local and visiting swimmers are encouraged to make it a swimming weekend by participating on Saturday in the 1.5km swim and again on Sunday in the 3.33km, 5km or 10km Swim events. AGE REQUIREMENTS: The 1.5km Swim Race is open to swimmers (Male & Female) from 6 years old and over. (However, it is recommended that kids 6-8 years old should be accompanied by an adult). The 3.33km Swim Race is open to swimmers 8 years old and over. The 5km Swim Race is open to Swimmers 9 years old and over. Swimmers under 6 years old can enter the ‘Just for Fun’ 1.5km Swim and use Swim aids and must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or swim coach. The 10km Swim Race is open to Swimmers 11 years old and over. ENTRY DEADLINE: Entries for the 1.5km Race, 3.33km, 5km Race and 10km Race close at midnight on Tuesday November 7th. Entries for the 1.5km ‘Just for Fun’ Swim are open right up to event start on Sat. Nov. 11th. Click here to enter online now. ENTRY FEES: See Entry fees page for details. Your Entry fee includes a professional organisation of the Swim Races & Festival, race boats, kayaks and SUP boards for your safety, a Swim Cap, Finisher medal and a chance to win excellent prizes. ENTRY FORMS: Foreign entries must complete and submit the entry forms using this website. Local entries can also be done on the website or at the Free Style Kids store at the Barbados Aquatic Centre from October 1st, 2023. HOTEL DISCOUNTS AT OUR PARTNER HOTELS: Our partner hotels are among the best in Barbados and each offers their own individual charms. You are invited to browse over the choices and email us with any questions you may have on any of the hotels. We have intimate knowledge of each hotel and can best guide you to the one that most suits your needs. START/FINISH LOCATION: Swimmers in all events will start in the water behind the Start line. Swimmers in all races will finish by exiting the water and crossing the marked finish line through the arch close to the water’s edge. RACE TIMING: Swimmers in all racers will be issued with a Timing Chip which must be strapped on to their ankle. After passing through the finish line please remove your Timing chip & strap and hand it over to the Race officials near the finish line. Swimmers must wear the Timing chip & strap in order to be officially timed and be in contention for prizes. AGE GROUP CATEGORIES: We have 9 age groups in the 1.5km Swim and 7 in the 3.33km, 5km and 10km Swims. (Female and Male swimmers will compete separately for prizes) See Prizes page for details. EXITING EARLY: If you must exit the race early for any reason before finishing, you MUST check in with race officials right away at the finish line so that everyone can be accounted for. RACE STARTING POSITION: Please allow faster swimmers to go to the front of the line, this will help stop people being thrashed by faster swimmers trying to pass them. If you are not a competitive swimmer and simply plan to complete the swim and have some fun please do not go near the front. Specific instructions will be given by the Race Director before the start of each race. 
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MANDATORY PRE-RACE REGISTRATION & CHECK IN: For the 1.5km on Saturday 11th Swimmers are required to check in at the registration desk between 7am – 8.20am to receive swim cap and timing chip. Race number will be written on both arms and legs. Please do not put on Sunscreen before the marking is done.
For the 10km on Sunday 12th Swimmers are required to check in at the registration desk at 6.15am to receive swim cap and timing chip. For the 3.33km and 5km Swimmers are required to check in at the registration desk between 7.15am – 8.15am and to receive swim cap and timing chip. Race number will be written on both arms and legs. MANDATORY PRE-RACE BRIEFING: For the 1.5km Saturday 11th, Briefing at 8.30am for 9am Race start. For the 10km on Sunday 12th, briefing at 6.45am for a 7am race start. For the 3.33km and 5km Races the briefing is at 8.30am and the races start at 9am. All swimmers MUST wear swim cap throughout race through to finish. Race Director will review rules, course, description, etiquette, and safety. Race Director conducts the race briefing, and covers the following points:
FINISHER MEDALS: All swimmers will receive a specially designed medal. VOLUNTEERS: We always need help at the Registration Desk, at the Finish Line and in the Water on Kayaks or Stand Up Paddle Boards. If you would like to assist and be part of the Festival, email us at barbadosopenwaterfestival@gmail.com REFRESHMENTS & FRUIT: Sports Drinks, Bottled water, Ice cream, Yogurt bars, frozen fruit bars and Bananas are available free to participants after the race. A feeding station with similar items will be setup for 10km swimmers in the water. TYPICAL RACE DAY CONDITIONS: Air Temperature 29 Celsius Average Water Temperature 25-27 Celsius Average Winds Average slight to moderate, 3 -10 knots Current Average Slight to Moderate REFEREE & RACE OFFICIALS: Each race has an official Head Referee and judges along the route to make sure all rules are obeyed. Breaking the rules will result in disqualification. RACE COURSE: Swim course for the 1.5km shown in the map below. Swimming in a clockwise direction. The 3.33km, 5km and 10km course will see an extension added. All 9 turn buoys will be very large and easy to spot, swimmers must go around each buoy on their right shoulder. 
SAFETY: Boats, Kayaks and stand Up paddlers will be posted along the race route to assist swimmers as needed. If you are tired or hurt and in need of assistance, you should signal for help by waving your hand. Note: Anyone posing a danger to other swimmers through rough behavior or other actions will be pulled from the race and disqualified. A race official's decision is final. EMERGENCY SERVICES: There will be a Medical Doctor on site during the race and in case of any treatment needed. There will also be an Ambulance onsite. If you have a medical condition that the medical practitioners should be aware of in case of an emergency please advise us by email or at registration. CUT OFF TIMES: Maximum time for 1.5km swim is 90 minutes. Maximum time for 3.3km and 5km swims is 2.5 hours. The 10km maximum time is 4.5 hours. Swimmers who are still in the water after these deadlines may be picked up by the boats. PRIZE GIVING: Immediately following the completion of each race. PRIZES: In addition to our Finisher medals & Age Group medals for each race we also are very proud to offer over 100 prizes donated by our sponsors. These prizes will be randomly awarded to entrants in each event (including the Just for Fun Swim) so everyone has a chance to win. Prizes range from Airline tickets and Hotel stays to Meal vouchers at popular restaurants. See our Prizes page for more details. MERCHANDISE FOR SALE: We have for sale Dri-fit T-shirts & Caps at US$20 each. Book yours on the Race Roster registration page or get them from the registration booth on the race weekend. |
