Official Entrant Newsletter

Dear Stinson Beach Sharkfest® Swimmer,

Congratulations on your entry in the Inaugural Stinson Beach Sharkfest Swim, scheduled for Saturday October 30, 2021. You will be swimming a 1 mile rectangular course in the calm Pacific Ocean waters off of the idyllic Stinson Beach.

This is the official "ENTRANT NEWSLETTER." Nothing will be sent via regular mail. All athletes will pick up their swim caps and have their hands numbered race day morning.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SWIM FOR NOVICES OR THOSE UNPREPARED TO SPEND UP TO 55 MINUTES IN high-50s to low 60s DEGREE WATER. If your time for a mile in the pool (72 lengths or 36 laps in a 25-yard pool) is longer than 40 minutes, we do not recommend that you attempt this swim. There is a 45 minute time limit for this swim. Wetsuits are highly recommended.

Race Day Itinerary

7:00–8:00am: Athlete Check-In will be held in Stinson Beach Park in the picnic area at the far south end of the main parking lot behind the lifeguard tower. You MUST BRING A PHOTO ID to check-in where you will pick up your swim cap and have your hands marked with your race number.
8:10am: Pre-Race Announcements will be made in the picnic area.
8:15-8:20am: Athletes will parade from the picnic area to the Start Line on the Beach.
8:30am: Race start will be at the water's edge just past the lifeguard stand.
9:45am: Informal Awards Ceremony will take place at the picnic area, announcing the age group winners in each age group (wetsuit & non-wetsuit combined) and handing out medals to those winners. Final results will be posted online at SharkfestSwim.com on race day. Personalized award plaques will be mailed a few weeks later.
Post Race: Swimmers are encouraged to hang out with their friends and family at Stinson Beach Park. It's a great spot to trade post-race stories and enjoy our spread of snacks, and the view from dry land. Bring a picnic for the beach or the picnic tables. The Parkside Cafe is the perfect place for breakfast and is walking distance from where you parked your car.

FAQs

BATHROOMS

There are bathroom facilities in Stinson Beach Park.

BAG CHECK

We will have a secure area near the picnic tables where you can leave your belongings.

SWIM DETAILS

Scheduled SWIM START TIME is 8:30AM.
There will be a single mass swim start.
Water temps should be 57-60°F degrees.
View SWIM COURSE MAP.

TIMING & AWARDS

Your time will be taken as you enter the finish chute. Stay in order as you go through the chute for accurate timing. After all swimmers are accounted for and the preliminary results are tabulated, an informal awards ceremony will be held at approximately 9:45am where the top three finishers in each age group (wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions combined) will receive medals. Full results will be posted online within 24 hours of the event. Personalized award plaques for the first place in each age-group (wetsuit and non-wetsuit combined) will be mailed several weeks after the event.

T-SHIRTS & HATS

Athletes will pick up t-shirts after they finish. A t-shirt is included with your entry. If you pre-ordered a hat, you will also pick that up when you get your t-shirt. Some extra hats and t-shirts may be available for purchase after the race.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

There is plenty of parking available at Stinson Beach Park.

What to Expect During the Swim

SUPPORT
Kayaks will direct the lead swimmers along the correct course. Additional kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis will corral the remainder of the swim field and direct them along the course. A designated lead paddler will assist you with sighting. The lead paddler will be wearing a brightly colored vest. There will also be large orange buoys in the water to guide you; you MUST stay to the right of all orange buoys at all times. If you are swimming astray, you will be advised to change course. You must obey the instructions of all escort personnel. Non-compliance with this rule will result in automatic disqualification.

COURSE
The swim will start on the beach in front of the lifeguard tower. The course then heads straight out through the surf to the first orange buoy. Keep the buoy on your right as you turn right and then swim parallel to the shore toward the next buoy. As you approach the next buoy, keep the buoy on your left as you turn left to swim farther out. You will keep the next buoy on your left as you turn left and start swimming parallel to the shore again. Keep the final buoy on your right as you turn right into the swim finish. You MUST go to the RIGHT of the final orange buoy to enter the finish area. If you do not swim to the right of the final orange buoy, you will be DISQUALIFIED! Our fleet of kayakers, paddlers, and jetskis will be there to guide and encourage you every stroke of the way. You will then be able to say "I completed the Stinson Beach Sharkfest Swim!"

PACE
Our objective is to have everyone successfully complete the swim, but if your pace puts you too far behind to guarantee your safe completion, a jet ski will pick you up. You may be moved to a more favorable location, so you can complete the swim; however, swim officials have the authority to make an objective assessment of your progress and may decide to bring you to the finish line. If an official tells you to get onto a jetski, it is expressly for your safety, and you must comply or you will be disqualified.

MILD PANIC
If you find that when you jump in the water or start to swim that your heart begins to beat rapidly and your breathing feels out of control, this can be perfectly normal. It's usually just the adrenaline rush of race day paired with the shock of the cold water. Use your own judgment on whether to continue, especially if you have any medical conditions, but most people find that if they continue to swim, they warm up, get their breathing back under control and are able to get back into a groove and finish the swim. You may backstroke, or swim with your head out of the water until you're comfortable to swim again. If you are not feeling good during the swim, you can always turn towards the beach and swim toward shore. Just BE SURE you check in with the finish line to let us know you are back on land.

GETTING ASSISTANCE
If you feel that you cannot complete the swim or you need the assistance of a kayaker or paddler, stay put and put one arm straight up in the air. A kayaker or paddler will come to you and discuss your options. It is perfectly legal to grab the nose of a kayak or paddleboard and wait out a cramp, get your breathing under control, etc. Don't hesitate to take the measures you need to finish your swim. (Note: If you need to grab onto a kayak or board, grab onto the nose; NEVER grab a kayak or board from the side, as you may tip it over). A smart athlete will know when it's not his or her day. You'll always be welcome to come back and try again. There's no shame in taking a rain check on this event.

WARNING SIGNS
If you start to get cold and can't think straight, you are experiencing mild hypothermia and should make the choice to end your swim. Full hypothermia may result in death. Don't be ashamed or hesitate to call it quits early. If you decide it's just not your day, stay put and raise your hand. Yell to get the attention of an escort, and you will be picked up.

VERY IMPORTANT!
If you drop out and do not go through the finish chute, be sure to check-in with an official at the race finish to notify us that you are on the beach. We don't want to have to launch a search and rescue unless someone is truly missing in the water.

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