Important Safety Information

The primary goal of the Fat Salmon Open Water Swim is to create a safe and rewarding swimming experience for all who choose to participate.  Because open water swimming events involve a substantial amount of risk, including risk of death, safety is our number one concern.  It is absolutely imperative that each individual be responsible for him or herself.  As organizers, we are running a small event with limited funds and we cannot be solely responsible for your personal safety.  A limited amount of support craft (i.e. motorized boats, kayaks) will accompany competitors over the course. As there are only a limited amount of support craft provided during the race, you agree to assume the risks of open water swimming and agree to be individually responsible for your own person and safety during the race.

PROBLEMS IN THE WATER:
When and if you have a problem - attempt to raise your hand or alert another swimmer, or someone in a boat, if you cannot do this, attempt to swim to the shore. Alert a safety boat you are having trouble by whistling, yelling or raising your arm. If you have concerns about your safety and your ability to complete this event, please do not participate. In the event that you become weak or tired during the swim, the course follows the shoreline, therefore stay close to the shoreline, or swim into the shore.

Time Guidelines: 

1.2 Mile Participants should be able to swim a 1,650 freestyle in approximately 45 minutes or less.

3.2 Mile Participants should be able to swim a 5,000 yard freestyle in less than 1 hour 45 minutes.  Participants who have not finished the 3.2 mile swim in two hours and fifteen minutes, may be pulled from the water.

Participants agree to become familiar with race information and race course prior to race day.   Please do not participate if you are not comfortable swimming these distances without assistance in cold water (temp. 55 degrees Fahrenheit). 

This is a USMS sanctioned race. As organizers, we are making no evaluation of your physical conditioning. You participate at your own risk. If you cannot swim in cold water (approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit) for two hours, you should not participate in this race. Your participation is voluntary. We are not responsible for your safety. We cannot guarantee that all boat traffic will be stopped. If any athlete does not want to participate in this race, you may leave the race at any time. Death, hypothermia, and mutilation (i.e. from a boat propeller) are all risks.  

Anytime an event involves immersion in cold water for any period of time there is a substantial risk of exposure to hypothermia and drowning. Therefore participants are required to sign a waiver removing all responsibility of the organizing entities and persons, and representing that the competitor will be able to complete the event without any assistance from any other person or floatation device.  If you do not agree with these terms and the event waiver, DO NOT participate in this event.