2020 Speedo SALT Series Athlete Guide

2020 ATHLETE GUIDE

A NOTE FROM THE SALTY CREW Welcome to our little slice of the amazing global community that is open water swimming.

Some we have known for decades, some we are just meeting, but we could not be happier to have you as our guest.

Though the Speedo SALT Series is new, the members that make up our team have been hosting open water events for many many moons. When we created the Speedo SALT Series, we had one fundamental idea in mind, create something unique for our swimmers, in amazing destinations. We wanted to celebrate our athletes, because whether you are racing for a championship or just to challenge yourself, stepping up to the start line is an accomplishment.

However, after a hell of a year, it’s not just the athlete spirit we’re excited to celebrate, but this amazing community that kept us all sane in 2020. Whether you are joining us for the entire weekend of events, or just Saturday morning for the races, we encourage you at some point to just take a moment and soak it all in.

We are excited to welcome you to Fort Myers Beach, a venue and a community that holds a special place in our hearts. We are ready to celebrate and we appreciate your support as we chase this little dream of ours.

See you soon!

- Salty Crew

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Packet Pick Up/On Site Registration 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Happy Hour and Florida Open Water Meet & Greet Location: Yucatan Beach Stand: 250 Old San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL ***You must bring a photo ID (Drivers License) and sign an event waiver on-site when checking in.***

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 7:30 am Athlete Check-In/Body Marking Opens 8:45 am Athletes start lining up for spaced wave start 9:00 am 5K Race Begins 10 min after final 5K swimmers are in the water - 1 mile Race Begins 12:15 pm - Approx. time for Southern Cross Event Awards Location: Lynn Hall Park, 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Modified BUOY Ball/Post Race Party Due to the circumstance surrounding this year’s event, we have elected to have a modified approach to the Buoy Ball. This year’s event will not be a ticketed party as planned, however we are excited to celebrate the Inaugural year of the Speedo SALT Series. We will be set up at Felipe’s from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.We encourage everyone to come out and safely enjoy the company of your fellow swimmers. We will be celebrating our Overall Age Group Speedo SALT Series Champions, as we present them with their awards! We will go over more details in our virtual race briefing.

Location: Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, 320 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 8:00 am: Mimosa Mile (Recovery & Fun Swim) Meet Up Style Swim open to everyone. This is not an official event, however an awesome opportunity to get one more swim in before you head home.

Locals welcome.

Location: Lynn Hall Park, 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL

COURSE DETAILS Beach Start into the water Turn right at the orange/yellow arch (Turn 1) Swim straight keeping buoys on your left Large Yellow Triangle Buoys signal approx. halfway to the Turn Buoys Turn left 90 degrees at the Large Orange Buoy (Turn 2) Continue to next Large Orange Buoy Turn left 90 degrees at Large Orange Buoys (Turn 3) Continue straight passing another Large Yellow Buoy At the 3rd Large Orange Buoy turn 90 degrees left (Turn 4) Continue straight in towards the finishline Keep all of the inflatable things on your left Mile swimmers finsih under the finish line arch 5K swimmers will come out of the water and run around a windsail Then run back into the water to start lap two - 3 laps total

What to Remember No Matter What 1 Mile = 1 Lap 5K = 3 Laps Turn right to swim through the orange/yellow arch Keep the Buoys on your Left Go around the Turn Buoys (Large Orange Triangles) Don’t Cut Corners (you’re better than that!)

SIGHT! & please don’t head to Mexico!

Click on this page to explore the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

NO 39

Long days can still feel like they’re not long enough.

SANIBEL ISLAND, FL

Islandology is our way of life. It’s escaping from lists, schedules and itineraries. It’s making more time for play time and discovering how a stretch of sand can become your own private getaway.

Plan your trip at FortMyers-Sanibel.com

RACE RULES Bib Number/Body Marking

Water Safety

You will be assigned a bib number.

There will be plenty of water safety personnel on the course including kayaks, paddle boards, and PWC.

If you are not wearing a wetsuit, mark your left and right upper arms with your bib number on race morning at the Body Marking tent .

If you are wearing a wetsuit, mark the outside of both of your hands at the Body Marking tent.

This event will be chip timed. You must have a chip and body marking to enter the water.

You are permitted to hold onto a watercraft momentarily to catch your breath.

You may NOT advance down the course while holding onto watercraft.

If you experience any issues while in the water, take off your swim cap and wave it over your head while treading water and a safety watercraft will come to your aid.

For your safety, every swimmer must check in at the registration tent on race morning to pick up their chip.

78

degrees

Wetsuits will be legal if the water temp is 78 or under.

You must wear the swim cap provided to you for your specific race.

1

mile time limit 1:05 (1 Hr & 5 Min)

5

K time limit 2:45 (2 Hr & 45 Min)

You may not switch distances once the race has started

For Athletes and Spectators Masks required when not racing, or actively eating/ drinking.

Maintain social distancing – 6 feet.

Please wash hands frequently.

If you feel sick, please go home.

Safety Guidelines

Listen to and respect event staff.

Registration/Athlete Check In One-way flow of packet pick up to allow for social distancing.

Hand sanitizers readily available.

Support staff and volunteers wearing gloves and facemasks.

Athletes will be required to wear a face covering to packet pick up/registration.

Athletes will be temperature checked during step 1 in the check-in process.

Body Marking Hand Sanitizer and Wipes will be available at the body marking table for athletes to sanitze markers before/ after use.

Athletes are encouraged to body mark themselves prior to arriving for optimal safety.

Start Line Athletes will be provided a disposable facemask at check in, this is to be worn while athletes are in the start line area.

Athletes will be lined up, 2-4 across with 6 feet in-between them.

Flags will be placed in the sand to help athletes distance themselves.

Athletes will continue to wear the disposable mask until they are on deck, at which point they can dispose of the mask in a trashcan as they head into the water.

Spectators are not allowed in the start corral.

Athletes are encourged to line up seeding themselves according to the speed in which they swim (faster towards the front, and moving backswards from there).

Athletes will be sent out in a wave start, 2-4 at a time, depending on spacing every 10 seconds.

Finish Line Athletes will be provided a face mask when they cross the finish line, this mask must be worn while they are in the finish line area.

One way flow of the finish line food table.

Water/Gatorade will be available in pre-filled cups (volunteers wearing masks and gloves).

If re-filling a reusable water bottle, athletes are encouraged to use a sanitizing wipe to touch button (will be provided on table).

Hand Sanitizer will be available on table.

In the case of inclement weather, athletes will be instructed to seek shelter in their vehicles or their hotel rooms, rather than congregate under shelters.

Speedo SALT Series Southern Cross Supporters

Age Group Awards Female - 13 & Under Male - 13 & Under Female - 14-19 Male - 14-19 Female - 20 - 29 Male - 20 - 29 Female - 30 - 39 Male - 30 - 39 Female - 40 - 49 Male - 40 - 49 Female - 50 - 59 Male - 50 - 59 Female 60 - 69 Female 60 - 69 Female - 70 + Up Male - 70 + Up 2020 Year End High Point Awards will be awarded during the Buoy Ball.

These awards will go to swimmers with the highest points in each age group/gender over the season.

Swimmers must compete in a muinmum of 2 races in 2020 to earn a high point award.

CURRENT HIGH POINT STANDINGS

AREA INFO Parking

Parking is avaialble at Lynn Hall Beach Park.

We encourage athletes to arrive early.

Additional parking is available in lots around the park.

Parking for the Yucatan Beach Stand & Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria is avilable in multiple lots around Old San Carlos Blvd.

Hotels

Our room blocks are SOLD OUT Rooms are still available https://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/stay

Things To Do Helpful Links

We encourage our athletes to enjoy everything the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel have to offer.

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Fort Myers Beach Chamber

Our Favorites

Lovers Key State Park Lighthouse Park Bowman’s Beach Local Underwater Reefs Caloosahatchee Regional Park

2021 Schedule www.saltysportssociety.com

Speedo SALT Series AMI Hogfish Swim Feb 12 - 14, 2021 Anna Maria Island, FL 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile Open Water

Deluna’s Swim Apr 16 - 17, 2021 Pensacola, FL .6 Mile, 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile Open Water

Speedo SALT Series Swim Mad Beach Jun 11 - 13, 2021 Madeira Beach, FL 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile Open Water

Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Sep Dates Coming Soon Islamorada, FL 8 Mile Open Water, Relay Options

Speedo SALT Series Southern Cross Dec 3 - 5, 2021 Fort Myers Beach, FL 1 Mile, 5K Open Water

Swimmers can earn points at all of the listed events for the 2021 Speedo SALT Series High Point Championship.