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Important information about the 2015 Boston Light Swim race
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2016 Boston Light Swim

August 20, 2016

We're just one month out from the 2016 Boston Light Swim, and we couldn't be more excited about the race to be held in our lovely harbor this year. Read on for more logistical details for boaters, volunteers, swimmers, and spectators.

Please check out the Schedule of Events page for more information about times and locations for events related to this year's Boston Light Swim. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Race Directors Elaine Howley or Greg O'Connor.

Yours swimmingly,
Elaine and Greg
 

For Escort Boaters

Logistics and Course Information

Thank you for volunteering to help a swimmer's dreams come true! We couldn't run this event without the knowledgable and experienced support of the dozens of dedicated boaters who help protect and guide our swimmers along this iconic racecourse. 

Please coordinate with your swimmer directly to exchange contact information and to be sure you know when and where to meet your swimmer. All swimmers must report to the Boston Harbor Yacht Club by 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 20 to check in and get numbered. All pilots must report by 7 a.m. to the dock at the Boston Harbor Yacht Club to pick up your swimmer. You'll then motor out to the lighthouse together for the start of the race. 

The race begins promptly at 8 a.m. at the lighthouse. The start will be signaled by one long blast from horn and a wave of a flag. At this signal, swimmers jump into the water and begin swimming back to Boston.


Escorts: Watch out for OTHER swimmers, particularly at the start!


Your swimmer will stay to the side of your boat. You should find out from your swimmer ahead of time if they would prefer to be on one side of your boat or the other. Escorts, you set the course and your swimmer will follow you.

Course

This swim is unique in that the islands are your markers:
  1. Georges Island: Stay left of the island, 200 yards or more offshore. Watch for ferries coming in to dock.
  2. Rainsford Island: Stay to the right of the island.
  3. Long Island: Head towards water tower. Watch out for outgoing boat traffic around the 4-mile mark. Keep Long Island on your right and skirt along the southern coast of the island until you reach where the Long Island Bridge (4.5-mile mark) used to stand. IMPORTANT: Head for one of the middle stanchions of where the bridge used to be and WATCH OUT FOR SUBMERGED DEBRIS near what’s left of the old bridge. Also be aware, this is an active construction zone. PLEASE approach the area with extreme caution.
  4. Moon Island will be on your left as you clear the site of the old bridge.
  5. Keep moving straight ahead between Thompson and Spectacle Islands. Thompson will be on your left, Spectacle on the right. Aim a little closer to Thompson, but be aware that for slower swimmers, there could be a slight cross-current from right to left that can push them toward Moon Island. Try to keep on track for Thompson Island.
  6. After rounding Thompson Island (6-mile mark) you have two miles to go. The Boston skyline will be in sight. Head toward the tallest building in the skyline. As you get closer (within 1 mile of the finish) you’ll begin to be able to see the white handball courts at the L Street bathhouse.
FINISH: M Street beach within the fence of the Curley Community Center. It’s the first walled off section after the public beach at M Street. There will be two large orange markers buoys out in front of the walls, a large FINISH banner, tents, people, and an orange mesh-fenced finish chute. Return your boat flags! (This helps keep costs down next year.) 
 

For Boaters and Swimmers

Safety and Rules Information

Safety is our top priority! All rules and regulations exist to make this marathon swimming event the safest it can be. 

Rules

  1. We have a strict 5-hour limit on the course. Boaters, if your swimmer is still in the water at noon he or she must enter your escort boat and motor to shore with you. (Head for the dock at the Boston Harbor Yacht Club to unload the swimmer and crew.)
  2. Swimmers may not touch escort boats or crew members during the swim (unless it’s a relay). We're following standard "English Channel" rules for this marathon swim event. 
  3. While in the water, swimmers must wear the numbered, fluorescent caps we provide.
  4. Escort boats must display their swimmers’ number and the red/white diver down flag. (Please return these flags at end of your swim.)
  5. No wetsuits are allowed.
  6. Kayaks may only be used as secondary support; in the event of an emergency or event cancellation, the accompanying escort boat must be able to accommodate the kayak and kayaker for the ride back to shore. 

Communications

  • Boats will communicate on VHF Channel 13
  • In case of accident or injury, notify the safety boat on VHF Channel 13 or notify the USCG on VHF Channel 16. The USCG will facilitate rescue and evacuation if necessary.

Safety Boats

  • There will be three event safety boats on the course. One will be in the front, one in the rear, and one patrolling the middle.
  • The U.S. Coast Guard will be present, and they have the authority to cancel the event for any reason.  

Swimmer Health and Safety

  • Watch your swimmer for signs of hypothermia, heatstroke, dehydration, exhaustion, injury, etc.

Course GPS Waypoints 

Location                                                               Longitude                 Latitude

Start / South of Little Brewster Island:                 42.326836,             -70.890135
 
Mile 2 / South of Georges Island:                        42.315623,             -70.926747
 
Mile 3.3 / North of Rainsford Island:                    42.314988,             -70.952110
 
Mile 4.6 / South of Long Island. (@ bridge):        42.309673,            -70.976701
 
Mile 6 / North of Thompson Island:                     42.322017,            -70.998266
 
Finish (Mile 8):                                                     42.328987,            -71.033435
 

For Volunteers

Tasks and Timelines 

Thank you for volunteering to help at this year's Boston Light Swim. We have changed the process for volunteers this year and will be assigning you specific tasks and timelines. Please keep your eyes open for an additional email from our volunteer staff leaders, Thomas Mikkelsen and Mark Howley, coming your way soon with more, detailed information about volunteering.
 

For Swimmers

Logistics and Last Minute Prep

Are you ready for some serious fun and hard work in Boston Harbor? We hope so!

Please be sure to reread the Race Information page of our website. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult our FAQ page. Still got questions? Email Race Director Elaine Howley
 

Swim Requirements

You must attend the MANDATORY pre-race safety meeting at 4 p.m. at the Curley Community Center (M street multi-purpose room) in order to participate in the swim. If you miss the meeting, you will not be permitted to swim in the event. 

You must also check in and register at the Boston Harbor Yacht Club on Saturday morning prior to the start of the race. There, you will receive your boater's flags and have your arms numbered. You must report to the BHYC by 6:15 a.m. You'll meet your boater on the dock at the BHYC at about 7 a.m. for the ride out to the start at the lighthouse. 

IMPORTANT: Please confirm with your boat pilot that you are working together and know when and where to meet. It's your responsibility to work out details of how much and when/how you'll compensate your boater for his or her time (suggested donation is $350 to $400.) Please make sure you have communicated all the pertinent information about your pilot and his or her boat to the race director.

Remember: No boat, no swim, no exceptions. Finding a boater to support you is ultimately your responsibility. 

Swimmers, please also share this email with your crew. In addition to the general course and event information, crews should also be informed of your preferences in feeding, boat positioning, and what to look out for in terms of your safety-- hypothermia, etc. Relay team leaders, please forward this communication to all team members.

Enjoy the rest of your training, and we'll see you soon!
 

For Everyone

Afterparty

Join us on the beach at the finish line to watch the competitors finish this awesome 8-mile cold water swim. Thanks to our generous sponsor Harpoon, we'll have some cold beers available (to those 21+ only, please!) and snacks, water, hot drinks, and warm smiles to spare for all finishers, their families, support crews, and spectators. Another one of our awesome sponsors, DRINKmaple, will be providing some tasty, non-alcoholic refreshments as well. Come on down to the "M" street side of the Curley Community Center at 1663 Columbia Blvd. in South Boston starting at about 9:30 a.m. and cheer the swimmers on as they wade triumphantly ashore. 

We'll have use of the beach and the L Street bathhouse facility until about 3 p.m., ensuring that every swimmer and crew can come partake in the beach-side afterparty. Once we've cleaned up and packed up, join us as we head inland a couple blocks to continue the celebrations at the famed L Street Tavern at 658 E. 8th St. for a few pints and more laughter and story telling. How d'ya like them apples?
 

For Everyone

Our Sponsors Rock!

We'd like to take a moment to send a huge shout of thanks to our generous sponsors! We couldn't offer the same experience without the support of Harpoon, DRINKmaple, FINIS, CarboPro, the Curley Community Center, the Boston Harbor Yacht Club, and our newest sponsor, Ultima Replenisher, which we're thrilled to welcome as the official drink of the 2016 Boston Light Swim. Race Director Elaine Howley is an Ultima Replenisher ambassador and is happy to represent the company and its products and can answer any questions you might have about how it has helped her swimming and could be helpful for yours, too. For more information about Ultima, visit their website and check out a recent blog post Elaine wrote about why open water swimmers need electrolytes. (Use code ELAINE35 to save 35% off your next order at Ultima Replenisher.)

Our sponsors generously donate their products to swimmers involved with the Boston Light Swim and we hope you'll remember that the next time you're in the market for these items.
Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association, all rights reserved.
All photos by Thomas Mikkelsen.


Our mailing address is:
6 Magnolia Road, Natick, MA 01760

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Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association · 6 Magnolia Road · Natick, MA 01760 · USA

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