International open water event list 2010
Saturday 18th September 2010
This open water swim event calendar lists some of the swims around the world that welcome international swimmers and may interest OSS swimmers. If you know of any more, please email details (completed as below if possible, so we can just load straight on to the site) to team1@outdoorswimmingsociety.com. Many thanks and happy swimming!
JULY
Rondje Noordereiland Swim, Rotterdam
25th July 2010
This is the chance to swim around an island (the Noordereiland) in the world's biggest artificial harbour, held since 2008 and on the last Sunday of July which is the only time that swimming is officially allowed. The event also highlights a highly successful river restration project. The distance is 3 km (1.5 km upstream and 1.5 km downstream), and wetsuits are not allowed - the temperature is expected to be 20C.
The race organisers are keen to attract international competitors and can help with finding cheap accommodation in Rotterdam. Registration is online at www.rondjenoordereiland.nl/apply . The numbers are limited to 150 and the cost is €50. Also limited to those over 12 and with evidence of a 2 km open water swim in at least 45 minutes (2.5 km an hour) for the Solo, or 2 km an hour for the Relay (2 x 1.5 km) or the Half Rondje Noordereiland Swim.
AUGUST
Victory Day Hellespont Swim, Turkey
30th August 2010
After the Byron Swim Festival in May, this is a second opportunity to swim across the Hellespont during 2010 by taking part in Victory Day Swim Race, organised each year to commemorate the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922. The Victory Day swim will take place on 30th August and will follow the same route inspired by Lord Byron. On 3rd May 1810 the English poet Lord Byron became the first known person to cross these straits which separate Europe and Asia. The iconic swim has appealed ever since to anyone with a sense of adventure and history.
You can swim as part of a four-day trip over the UK Bank Holiday. To book your place visit http://www.swimtrek.com; places for this race are still available but can fill quickly.
Rondje KNSM Eiland Swim, Amsterdam
30th August 2010
A further island swim in the Netherlands, around the KNSM and Java island in Amsterdam on the last Sunday of August, the only time that swimming is officially allowed. The distance is 5 km and the organisers draw attention to the clean water. Wetsuits are not allowed for this 21C swim.
The race organisers are keen to attract international competitors and can help with find cheap accommodation in Amsterdam. Registration is online at www.rondjeknsmeiland.nl/apply . The numbers are limited to 150 and cost €50. Also limited to those over 12 and with evidence of a 2 km open water swim in at least 45 minutes (2.5 km an hour) for the Solo or 2 km an hour for the Relay (2 x 1.5 km) or the Half Rondje KNSM Eiland Swim.
SEPTEMBER
Sun Moon Lake,Taiwan
20th September 2010
In the beautiful and popular Sun Moon lake in central Taiwan, at 2,500 ft up in the hills, there is an annual swimming carnival that is the only time that swimming is officially allowed. The distance is 3.3km and the numbers large: entries are limited to 22,ooo and registration is from the beginning of June. It's a race but most swimmers take flotation devices. Details here.
Straits of Messina, Italy
August and September
A series of swims held in August and September in the very difficult waters between the toe of Italy and Sicily. The first race is the 5.2K 45th annual Traversata dello Stretto with the longest history and a difficult course across the Strait of Messina. First crossed in 1930, the Strait has strong currents and natural whirlpools that make for a challenging and enjoyable event to do and watch, especially on a clear day. The Traversata dello Stretto starts at Torre Faro, crosses the Strait of Messina to a turn in Cannitello in Calabria on the Italian mainland, then traverses along the Italian coast and finished in Villa San Giovanni. The second race is the 10th annual Trofeo Baia di Grotta (see finish point on left). The third race is the 1.8K II Trofeo Onda Azzurra along the Calabria coast. The fourth race is 36th annual 3.7K Favazzina-Scilla swim in late August. The fifth race is the 5.1K XI Memoria Nino Sofi. The sixth race is the 3K Città di Reggio Calabria II in September.
The closest Italian equivalent to the OSS has a website at www.nuotoacquelibere.com with a list of outdoor swimming race and events.
TI2Y 1.5 mile Bay Bridge Swim, San Francisco, USA
26th September 2010
The sixth year on a challenging 1.5 mile course that, after a swift ferry ride to Treasure Island, is a swim parallel to the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge and a finish at Rincon Park.
Expect choppy and cool waters, around 57-64 degrees, and amazing views of the San
Francisco skyline.
Sign up: numbers are limited to 400 swimmers so be prompt. $85 registration before end July then $100 registration by September.
Register at www.active.com. Any questions email ti2y@ymcasf.org.
NOVEMBER
Cross Harbour, Auckland, NZ
21st November 2010
A 2.8km swim across the beautiful Waitamata harbour of New Zealand's buzzing biggest city. It was first held in 2004 and drew 1,500 entrants in 2009. Shipping is stopped for the duration, capped at 105 minutes, but there have been incidents in the past. Entries are NZ$50 and you can sign up online at http://www.oceanswim.co.nz.
This swim is also the first in a series of six ocean swims in the country, with one held each month until April, in locations such as the Bay of Islands, Christchurch and Wellington.
The following events are due to take place in the first half of 2011, to help with your planning for them. We will confirm dates and add further details when we can.
FEBRUARY
The Finnish Ice Swimming Championships
Held in early February 2010; 2011 tbc
The Finnish Winter Swimming Championships is an event like no other, with the historical river Vuoksi, which flows through the host city of Imatra, being transformed into the venue for this year's event. The chill of excitement is sure to rise with your initial plunge, as you are encouraged with chants of support from all over the world at this international Winter swimming event."
Midmar Mile, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa
Held in early February; date in 2011 tbc
This one mile course in fresh water in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal has become a national event. It's open to both serious athletes and recreational swimmers. The race was first swum in 1974, with 153 entries, the youngest being 10 years' old. Swimmers leave in groups, with the fastest setting off first. There are some 20,000 competitors. More details are on the website at
http://www.midmarmile.co.za/.
The Rottnest Channel Swim, Perth, Western Australia
Held later in February; 2011 tbc
This famous swim begins at Cottesloe Beach and ends at Rottnest Island - a distance of 19.2 km. As well as fatigue, swimmers might have to contend with cold water (though it has been warm), the fear of sharks, notorious rips around the island and strong winds. Competitors must be accompanied by a boat. The course was first swum in 1956. It's one of the largest open water swimming events in the world - there were over 2,300 entrants in 2009 (including four from Ireland) and 10,000 spectators. It is open to solo swimmers and teams of two to four. Minimum age to compete is 14.
There is more information at
http://www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/
APRIL
The Robben Island to Cape Town Swim (The Cadiz Freedom Swim)
Western Cape, South Africa
2011 date tbc
This 7.5km swim is one of the most challenging on the open water calendar. Competitors must be accompanied by a boat. Cold water temperatures (averaging around 12C) mean that acclimatization is essential. The waters around Cape Town are also home to the Great White Shark, so you need nerves of steel for this one. The swim takes place on or around South African Freedom Day, the anniversary of the first democratic post-apartheid elections. Because the event is tied to this day, the sea conditions may be less than perfect. Race organisers take a decision on the morning of the swim on whether the conditions are good enough and water warm enough (if temperatures fall to 10C, it's deemed too cold to swim). Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela, and thousands of other anti-apartheid campaigners, were incarcerated during the apartheid regime. There are a range of prizes on offer including R10,000 (about £800) for the first male and female swimmer to reach Big Bay, the finish line. The race accepts solo and relay entries, and there is a category for wetsuit wearers, if you don't think you can manage the cold.
Race organisers are keen to attract international competitors and can help find cheap accommodation in Cape Town and arrange acclimatization swims.
Registration is online. If you want to swim Robben Island but would rather choose a day when conditions are perfect, then you can contact the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association to help you organise an accompanying boat. The association can put you in touch with other swimmers who can give advice and possibly join you. They can also arrange other swims, such as the iconic course of swimming around Cape Point and into False Bay.
JUNE
Park to Park Swim, New York
Held in mid-June 2010; 2011 tbc
A 2-mile event, from the new West 125th Street Pier to Fort Washington Park at 165th Street. In the choppy salt-water Hudson River, with expected temperatures of about 65 degrees, and the chance of some shipping and flotsam, but with great views of Manhattan. The numbers are limited to 250, with half the places still available. The cost is $55 if you sign up by the end of May, then $65-75 in June. Also limited to those over 15 and with evidence of a long swim since 2008; full details are on a useful site at www.nycswim.org under Events, which also includes information on other great swims such as the marathon 28.5m swim round Manhattan Island, also in June.
More contributions welcome! Please email (in the format above) to info@outdoorswimmingsociety.com
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