Scene at the start. Savai'i looms in the distance.
Swim Support
All Swimmers Solo and Teams must have the following as part of your swim support for the big swim:
- Support boat - provided with fuel and crew of 2
- Kayaker - you can bring a friend or family member, or we can find one locally for you at your own cost (we supply the kayak)
- Swim captain - someone to manage your swim, crew, feed, direction & safety during your swim. It is necessary to have a swim captain who knows you and can run your swim from the support boat.
- Independent observer - this person will be appointed by us to record swim data and observe the swim. The data will be made available to the swimmer a few weeks after the swim. This data can help with swim ratification, and includes videos, photos and tracking data of the swim.
- Boat crew - please know, the boat crews are very familiar with the Strait having assisted us with the swim since 2015. However, the crew's understanding of English and speaking English will be limited.
Swim Director
Boat captains, they know these waters, but are not swimmers. It is necessary for a Swim director to be appointed to your Swim to ensure the race goes according to your schedule and swim plan.
Ideally, a swim director is someone you know. The swim captain is stationed on the boat and can liaise with race HQ and support as well as directing the swim for you. We have had swim captains acting as kayaker / paddler as well. This is also perfectly ok and better suited to have someone you know well.
The Swim Director manages the swim, and directs the journey of the boat and kayak. That person looks after your food supply and makes sure you are given the right food at the right time. SD provides the necessary equipment for the swim, or ensure these are provided.
The other very important role of the Swim captain is to ensure the boat is fitted with a GPS that is programmed to the Swim route. The GPS is provided by the Swim captain.
The importance of this role cannot be overstated.
Swim Director's Duties
Ideally, a swim director is someone you know. The swim captain is stationed on the boat and can liaise with race HQ and support as well as directing the swim for you. We have had swim captains acting as kayaker / paddler as well. This is also perfectly ok and better suited to have someone you know well.
The Swim Director manages the swim, and directs the journey of the boat and kayak. That person looks after your food supply and makes sure you are given the right food at the right time. SD provides the necessary equipment for the swim, or ensure these are provided.
The other very important role of the Swim captain is to ensure the boat is fitted with a GPS that is programmed to the Swim route. The GPS is provided by the Swim captain.
The importance of this role cannot be overstated.
Swim Director's Duties
- Keep the boat in position and ensure it follows the provided Swim route
- Keep the kayaker in position
- Provide GPS
- Fit GPS to the boat and set it according to the race route
- Call all shots on the Swim and ensure your swimmer is safe at all times.
- Liaise with Race support & HQ
- Attend all Race briefings
- Ensure your swim banner & country flag is fitted to the support boat.
Support Boat
This is the type of boat that is used for the Swim. It comes with a captain, usually the owner and one crewman. It also comes with fuel for the journey.
These boats are used for offshore fishing in Samoa and are sturdy and strong. The boat can carry up to 20 people, but for the safety of the event we will limit that number to six people plus the crew.
Boat captains, they know these waters, but are not swim smart. It is necessary for a Swim captain to be appointed to your Swim, to ensure the race goes according to your schedule and swim plan.
Boat Captain's duties
These boats are used for offshore fishing in Samoa and are sturdy and strong. The boat can carry up to 20 people, but for the safety of the event we will limit that number to six people plus the crew.
Boat captains, they know these waters, but are not swim smart. It is necessary for a Swim captain to be appointed to your Swim, to ensure the race goes according to your schedule and swim plan.
Boat Captain's duties
- Provide a safe and sea worthy boat
- Provde fuel for the journey
- Provide one crewman
- Follow the instructions of the Swim captain
- Ensure there is a ladder that extends to the waterline to ensure the swimmer and others can exit / enter the water safely
- Provide safe passage for the swimmer and others on board the boat
- Attend the Captains Briefing
Kayak
Every swimmer is to have a kayaker to stay beside the swimmer at all times. Whilst you are provided with a kayak - the swimmer / Team is to organise your own paddler. There are local kayakers available but highly recommended you bring your own. If you are relying on a local paddler you will need to spend time on the water with that person to get them to know your needs during the swim.
Kayaker's duties
Kayaker's duties
- Provide crucial support to the swimmer
- Stay close to the swimmer at a distance the swimmer is happy with
- Paddle straight and according to the Swim captain's instructions
- Attend the Race briefing
The Race will have Electronic Live Tracking for family and friends unable to attend the Race.
Check out the Live Tracker link for the inaugural event.
Check out the Live Tracker link for the inaugural event.
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Boat Park - End of the Swim and everyone is safely ashore
