Rules & Guidelines

Team Relay - Never Alone

PARTICIPATION:

  • Teams in the "NEVER ALONE" category are comprised of three (3) pairs of swimmers (1/2 hour legs) representing that you are never alone when you are battling cancer.

  • Team captains must organize the relay team of 6 swimmers according to pace. The swimming pair will swim side by side next to each other. The swimming pair should pace themselves to the slower swimmer in the pair.

  • 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:

  • NEVER ALONE team swimmers are permitted to wear wetsuits.

  • Swimmers must wear swim cap provided.

ASSISTANCE:

  • Swimmers may not use flotation aids, propulsion devices, or any other devices to maintain body heat. 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.

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

  • The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden.

QUALIFYING SWIM:

  • All Never Alone relay applicants must submit proof of a two-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 two-hour qualifier 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)

    • Two-Hour Qualifying Swim

* Applicants must complete at least 4 miles during the 2 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 two-hour qualifying swim, please submit copies of official race results or other documentation from one of the other events listed above.

AGE MINIMUM:

  • Relay team members must be 16 years old on or before December 31 of the year of the event, in accordance with FINA Age Rules.

NEVER ALONE RELAY INSTRUCTIONS:

  • A minimum of 6 relay swimmers per team is allowed.

  • Swimmers must alternate every 30 minutes (no exceptions). Failure to follow this rule will result in disqualification.

  • The order of the swimming pairs must be maintained throughout the swim.

  • The transition from each relay pair of swimmers to the next must be executed by approaching the swimmers in the water from behind, and the transition is considered complete when the entering swimmers fully pass the departing swimmers.

  • Only team relay members are permitted on the escort boat due to space limitations and safety reasons.

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

  • There is no warm-up before the SWIM. Only lead-off swimmers are 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 a disqualification

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