Rules & Guidelines

Two-Person Relay Swimmers

PARTICIPATION:

  • Two-person relay swimmers consist of two swimmers who alternate 1/2 hour swim legs over the 25K distance.

  • Enrollments are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remember, applications are not considered to be complete until all the required information has been received and approved by the SWIM Committee.

CLOTHING:

  • Two-person relay swimmers are not permitted to wear wetsuits.

  • One suit, swim cap, goggles, earplugs and grease will be allowed. For women, suits that cover up to their neck and down to their knees are acceptable. For men, suits may not cover their torso, nor go below their knees. Neither men nor women may wear suits that cover their shoulders in any way. All suits must be of the traditional swimming style “lycra” type suits.

  • Two-Person relay swimmers must wear the provided swim cap.

ASSISTANCE:

  • TWO-PERSON Relay Swimmers may not use flotation aids, propulsion devices, or any other devices to maintain body heat. Wetsuits, fins, hand paddles, pull buoys or boards are strictly prohibited.

  • Pacing, drafting and towing are not allowed.

  • Swimmers may not touch the escort boat or any other boat during the SWIM. A violation of this rule shall result in disqualification.

  • All TWO-PERSON relay swimmers should bring one crew member to provide feeding assistance. If a swimmer is unable to bring their own crew, please notify the SWIM Committee and we will use our best efforts to provide you a crew member.

  • Swimmers are required to bring their own food for the swim.

  • The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden.

QUALIFYING SWIM:

  • All TWO-PERSON Relay applicants must submit proof of a four-hour or longer qualifying swim in open water completed within the past 18 months in order to be eligible to participate in the event. Swimmers who have successfully completed any of the following swims within the past 18 months are exempt from the four-hour qualifying swim:

  • Tampa Bay 24-mile Marathon Swim

  • Catalina Island

  • Manhattan Island Marathon Swim

  • Round Jersey Swim (Channel Islands)

  • St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound

  • English Channel

  • Other USA/USMS distance swim (> 8 miles)

  • Four-Hour Qualifying Swim"

* Applicants must complete at least 7.5 miles during the 4 hour qualifying swim.  Please complete and submit the Qualifying Swim-Observer Report and Qualifying Swim Log as evidence of compliance.  Applicants must submit this requirement by the documentation deadline.

If you are exempt from a four-hour qualifying swim, please submit copies of official race results or other documentation from one of the other events listed above.

AGE MINIMUM:

  • TWO-PERSON relay swimmers must be 19 years old on or before December 31 of the year of the event, in accordance with FINA Age Rules. Exceptions may be considered under the discretion of the SWIM Committee.

TWO-PERSON RELAY INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Swimmers must alternate every 30 minutes (no exceptions). The order of the swimmers must be maintained throughout the swim.

  • The transition from one swimmer to the next must be executed by approaching the swimmer in the water from behind, and the transition is considered complete when the entering swimmer fully passes the departing swimmer.

  • Relay team members must enter the water feet first. Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.

  • There are no warm-ups before the swim. Only the lead-off swimmer is permitted in the water.

  • Only final leg swimmers are permitted in the water when crossing the finish line.

  • Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION:

  • Both swimmers must have their primary physician fully complete the required medical form.

  • Medical examinations must be completed within one (1) year of participation in the SWIM Marathon.

  • Applicants must submit proof of Qualifying Swim and completed Medical Form by the documentation deadline.

For more information, please call the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation at (475) 210-7308 or 475-210-7307