Swim Questions
Q: How do I change my swim time?
Q: How deep is the pool?
Q: What is the pool temperature?
Q: Is there an aid station at the swim start?
Q: Will there be a swim warm-up?
Q: Are spectators allowed in the pool?
Q: Is there a gear check at the swim start?
Q: Can I give my warmups/shoes to my friends/family?
Q: Can I use any stroke in the swim portion?
Q: Will I be disqualified if I hang onto the lane lines?
Q: Will the locker rooms be available?
Q: Can I change in the locker rooms between the swim and the bike?
Q: How do the waves start?
Q: How many people will be in each lane?
Q: Do I have to wear a swim cap?
Q: How will I know I have completed the 500 yards?
Q: It looks like it might be cold on race day, can I bring a towel and my jacket to put on before I leave the pool area?
Q: The run to transition is almost a quarter of a mile, what is the surface like and can I wear shoes?
Q: How do I change my swim time?
A: Email your new 500 yd swim time in the format mm:ss to [email protected] by October 1st.
Q: How deep is the pool?
A: The pool depth is 10 feet at the deep end and 3ft at the shallow end.
Q: What is the pool temperature?
A: The pool temperate is usually kept at 83 degrees.
Q: Is there an aid station at the swim start?
A: No, but there is water available to athletes at the transition area.
Q: Will there be a swim warm-up?
A: Yes, there will be 5 minutes in between waves. During this time, athletes are welcome to warm up. More time may be available if lanes open sooner from the prior wave.
Q: Are spectators allowed in the pool?
A: Yes, there is a spectator area. Spectators will not be allowed on the pool deck. They can keep their shoes on.
Q: Is there a gear check at the swim start?
A: No. All gear you bring into the pool, you must take with you after the swim. Unless you are going to put them back on before transition, we recommend leaving all warmups in the transition area prior to your wave start.
Q: Can I give my warmups/shoes to my friends/family?
A: Yes. If you have spectators at the race, you are welcome to give any gear you have to them.
Q: Can I use any stroke in the swim portion?
A: You may use any stroke that allows you to get from one end of the pool to the other.
Q: Will I be disqualified if I hang onto the lane lines?
A: No. You may stop and rest during the swim. It is recommended that you rest at the wall.
Q: Will the locker rooms be available?
A: Yes, the locker rooms will be available from 7:30 am until 1pm.
Q: Can I change in the locker rooms between the swim and the bike?
A: Yes, however, your swim time does not stop while you are changing. Also, you MUST exit the pool through the east end of the pool to get your swim time.
Q: How do the waves start?
A: Swimmers will start in numerical order, lowest bib number first. Swimmers will be sent off 5 seconds apart. Your race time is based on your starting position. You must start in your correct position even if there is no one in front of you.
Q: How many people will be in each lane?
A: 4 people will swim in each lane.
Q: Is there passing? How do I pass or what if someone needs to pass me?
A: Yes, passing is allowed. Athletes will circle swim in the counter-clockwise direction. To pass, it is recommended that you tap the person’s feet in front of you. They should then “pull over” at the next wall allowing you to pass safely. We do not recommend mid-lane passing as this will likely result in a head on collision with another swimmer.
Q: Do I have to wear a swim cap?
A: No. Swim caps are optional, but bright colored caps help our volunteers tell people apart in the lane so if you have one, wearing it would be helpful.
Q: How will I know I have completed the 500 yards?
A: There will be 2 volunteer lap counters at the end of each lane. When you have one length (25 yards) to go, they will signal you with a kick board. That signal means it is time to get out when you reach the next wall. Our volunteers do their best to be accurate with their counting, but sometimes with 4 swimmers in a lane things can get a little crazy. We recommend that you also count your laps. 3 heads are better than 2!
Q: It looks like it might be cold on race day, can I bring a towel and my jacket to put on before I leave the pool area?
A: Yes, but your swim time will not stop until you exit the pool area. You can not leave and come back in during the race.
Q: The run to transition is almost a quarter of a mile, what is the surface like and can I wear shoes?
A: The surface is pavement and sidewalk. It will be swept on race morning, so it should be free of rocks. You are welcome to wear shoes from the pool to transition.
Q: How do I change my swim time?
Q: How deep is the pool?
Q: What is the pool temperature?
Q: Is there an aid station at the swim start?
Q: Will there be a swim warm-up?
Q: Are spectators allowed in the pool?
Q: Is there a gear check at the swim start?
Q: Can I give my warmups/shoes to my friends/family?
Q: Can I use any stroke in the swim portion?
Q: Will I be disqualified if I hang onto the lane lines?
Q: Will the locker rooms be available?
Q: Can I change in the locker rooms between the swim and the bike?
Q: How do the waves start?
Q: How many people will be in each lane?
Q: Do I have to wear a swim cap?
Q: How will I know I have completed the 500 yards?
Q: It looks like it might be cold on race day, can I bring a towel and my jacket to put on before I leave the pool area?
Q: The run to transition is almost a quarter of a mile, what is the surface like and can I wear shoes?
Q: How do I change my swim time?
A: Email your new 500 yd swim time in the format mm:ss to [email protected] by October 1st.
Q: How deep is the pool?
A: The pool depth is 10 feet at the deep end and 3ft at the shallow end.
Q: What is the pool temperature?
A: The pool temperate is usually kept at 83 degrees.
Q: Is there an aid station at the swim start?
A: No, but there is water available to athletes at the transition area.
Q: Will there be a swim warm-up?
A: Yes, there will be 5 minutes in between waves. During this time, athletes are welcome to warm up. More time may be available if lanes open sooner from the prior wave.
Q: Are spectators allowed in the pool?
A: Yes, there is a spectator area. Spectators will not be allowed on the pool deck. They can keep their shoes on.
Q: Is there a gear check at the swim start?
A: No. All gear you bring into the pool, you must take with you after the swim. Unless you are going to put them back on before transition, we recommend leaving all warmups in the transition area prior to your wave start.
Q: Can I give my warmups/shoes to my friends/family?
A: Yes. If you have spectators at the race, you are welcome to give any gear you have to them.
Q: Can I use any stroke in the swim portion?
A: You may use any stroke that allows you to get from one end of the pool to the other.
Q: Will I be disqualified if I hang onto the lane lines?
A: No. You may stop and rest during the swim. It is recommended that you rest at the wall.
Q: Will the locker rooms be available?
A: Yes, the locker rooms will be available from 7:30 am until 1pm.
Q: Can I change in the locker rooms between the swim and the bike?
A: Yes, however, your swim time does not stop while you are changing. Also, you MUST exit the pool through the east end of the pool to get your swim time.
Q: How do the waves start?
A: Swimmers will start in numerical order, lowest bib number first. Swimmers will be sent off 5 seconds apart. Your race time is based on your starting position. You must start in your correct position even if there is no one in front of you.
Q: How many people will be in each lane?
A: 4 people will swim in each lane.
Q: Is there passing? How do I pass or what if someone needs to pass me?
A: Yes, passing is allowed. Athletes will circle swim in the counter-clockwise direction. To pass, it is recommended that you tap the person’s feet in front of you. They should then “pull over” at the next wall allowing you to pass safely. We do not recommend mid-lane passing as this will likely result in a head on collision with another swimmer.
Q: Do I have to wear a swim cap?
A: No. Swim caps are optional, but bright colored caps help our volunteers tell people apart in the lane so if you have one, wearing it would be helpful.
Q: How will I know I have completed the 500 yards?
A: There will be 2 volunteer lap counters at the end of each lane. When you have one length (25 yards) to go, they will signal you with a kick board. That signal means it is time to get out when you reach the next wall. Our volunteers do their best to be accurate with their counting, but sometimes with 4 swimmers in a lane things can get a little crazy. We recommend that you also count your laps. 3 heads are better than 2!
Q: It looks like it might be cold on race day, can I bring a towel and my jacket to put on before I leave the pool area?
A: Yes, but your swim time will not stop until you exit the pool area. You can not leave and come back in during the race.
Q: The run to transition is almost a quarter of a mile, what is the surface like and can I wear shoes?
A: The surface is pavement and sidewalk. It will be swept on race morning, so it should be free of rocks. You are welcome to wear shoes from the pool to transition.
