Horsetooth Open Water Swim

From Openwaterpedia

The Horsetooth Open Water Swim is a high-altitude event held at 5,430 feet (1,655 meters) in the Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, U.S.A. The race is held in September and organized by Joe Bakel, George Thorton and Ann Donoghue. It is one of America's Top 100 Open Water Swims.

The event is hosted by the Horsetooth Open Water Swims non-profit organization and includes youth swims (250 meters and 1000 meters), 1.2 mile, 2.4 mile and a 10 km marathon swim swims. The 10 km marathon swim starts at Satanka Cove at the north end and finishes at the South Bay swim beach. The 2.4 mile, the 1.2 mile and the youth swims start and finish at the South Bay swim beach.

The Horsetooth Open Water Swims was started by Oliver Turner in 1999.

10 km Marathon Swim Information

This race runs the length of Horsetooth Reservoir. Swimmers (and paddlers) will start at Satanka Bay (north end) and swim to South Bay swim beach. The start will be in the water. The finish will be out of the water, on the beach.

Eligibility: The 10 km marathon swim event is open to all swimmers age at least 13 years of age as of race day and older. Swimmers who have not previously completed the Horsetooth 10K Swim are required to obtain approval prior to registration from George Thornton or Joe Bakel by describing their past experience in long distance open water swimming and how they will prepare to swim 10 km at approximately 5400 feet (1700 meters) in 62 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C) water. Approval is required for safety reasons.

Swimmers ages 13 to 17 in the 10 km swim have additional requirements:

  • Swimmers must supply their own craft/paddler
  • Parent or parent-assigned adult (written approval from parent) must be on the craft
  • Must perform a qualifying open water swim of at least 2 hours:

1. Without stopping, with the exception of feeding,
2. In open water with water temperatures colder then 70°F,
3. Fill out and submit an Open Water Log Sheet of the swim

  • Submit a list of open water experience
  • Submit an essay to the Horsetooth Swim committee on why they want to swim the Horsetooth 10K. What motivates them to swim the event?

Rules

Every swimmer must be accompanied by a support craft for the entire race. Swimmers must wear the race swim cap. No MP3 players or similar devices are allowed. All WOWSA rules apply. Exceptions and clarifications are listed below:

  • Drafting: Unlike many open water events, the Horsetooth 10K Swim does not allow drafting except where unavoidable at the start. If flagrant drafting is observed, that swimmer will be disqualified.
  • Swimsuits: WOWSA Marathon and Channel Rules state that swimsuits shall not go beyond the end of the groin or shoulders. The Horsetooth Open Water Swim allows the swimsuit to extend to the knees.
  • Wetsuits: There are a limited number (20) of wetsuit slots available. Wetsuit swimmers will not be eligible for an "official" swim, or awards. Wetsuit swimmers must supply their own paddlers and craft (not eligible for organizer-supplied paddler/craft).

Awards

Finisher certificates will be given to all finishers. First, second and third place men and women will receive a trophy. A traveling trophy, The Turner Cup, is awarded to the first man and first woman finisher.

General Schedule

Saturday, night before the swim:

Check-in, packet pick-up, dinner, orientation and safety meeting

5:00 pm - Check in for all Swimmers and Paddlers 5:30 pm - Dinner 6:00 to 7:00 pm - Orientation, safety overview, updates and instructions

Sunday, day of the swim

5:00 am - Buses start loading at parking location 5:30 am - Buses leave south end with swimmers and paddlers 6:00 am - Buses arrive at north end, Satanka Cove, boats unloaded, swimmers are body marked and check in. 6:30 am Paddler and Swimmer Meetings (final update on race rules and conditions) 6:45 am Paddlers enter water and move into place 6:50 am Swimmers may enter water for warm-up 7:00 am Race start from the north end Satanka Cove

2.4-mile Race Details

This race is an out-and-back from the South Bay swim beach. The course will start on the beach, go 0.6 miles out, turn around a buoy and return to the begin and complete a second loop, finishing out of the water, on the beach.

1.2-mile Race Details

This race is an out-and-back from the South Bay swim beach. The course will start on the beach, go 0.6 miles out, turn around a buoy and return finishing out of the water, on the beach.

Youth Race Details

All youth races will be out-and-back from the South Bay swim beach. The course will start on the beach, out to a buoy and return finishing out of the water, on the beach. Swimmers older than 18 years of age are not eligible to swim these events.

Eligibility:

1000 meter swim: Swimmers at least 9 years old and not older than 18 years as of race day.
250 meter swim: Swimmers at least 8 years old and not older than 12 years as of race day.

Rules

No wetsuits are allowed for either the 1000 meter or 250 meter swims. Swimsuits may extend to the knees.

Contact

Name Joe Bakel or George Thorton

Email info@horsetoothswim.com

External links

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