Swimmer Information

Whether you are a seasoned swimmer or new to open water competitions, you will need to know the following particulars about our swim. Familiarizing yourself with this information will help make the race more enjoyable for you.

Here’s how it works:

Registration – please see our Registration page.

Rules – please see the Race Rules at left.

Start and Finish Lines
START: Royal Palms or Gecko Beach Bar
FINISH: Ritz-Carlton
The Finish site is the Ritz-Carlton on Seven Mile Beach. Why are there two start locations listed? The Start site will be decided during race week taking expected water and weather conditions into account so as to offer you the most favorable conditions. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEBSITE AND LOCAL MEDIA during the week prior to the race to find out which Start site will be used. It is your responsibility to show up on time at the correct Start site.

Parking
Parking at both the Start and the Finish is limited. You may want to carpool or take public transport. Please do not block any nearby businesses or driveways. Please bring only one car and walk to the Start before the race or from the Finish after the race.

Royal Palms start:

Please note that there is very limited parking at Royal Palms. However, Dart Realty and Property Management have generously offered Camana Bay for race day parking. There is parking along the connector road from West Bay Road to the Esterley Tibbets Bypass. There is also ample parking in the Camana Bay parking lots and garages. Camana Bay is less than a 10-minute walk to Royal Palms.

 

Gecko Beach Bar start:

Check in and all pre-race functions will be in the parking lot of the old Courtyard Marriott. Please note that parking will be tight nearby the old Courtyard Marriott. Please consider taking a bus or carpooling. Please also note that West Bay Road will be CLOSED in front of the old Courtyard Marriott from 1:45 to 2:45.

Race Day Check-in
You will need to be at the Start between 1:00 and 1:45 on race day to have your race number marked on your arm and collect your swim cap. Please do not put sunscreen on your arms until after you have been arm-marked. Please note that check-in closes at 1:45p sharp!. If you miss check-in you will not be allowed to swim. Check in tables are arranged alphabetically by surname.

Swim Caps
Swimmers must wear the swim cap provided on race day. You must wear the cap for the entire swim. If you cross the line without a cap you will be disqualified. Extra caps will be available from the Marshals. If your cap comes off, put it back on. If you lose your cap, get another one from a Beach Marshal or Kayaker. (See Rules)

After Check-in
After you have checked in you may want to turn in your personal belongings to the Stuff Shuttle or warm up in the water. Please stay in the immediate vicinity to be on hand for the required Swimmer Briefing.

Warm up
There will be a designated warm up area near the Start. Please warm up only in this area.

Stuff Shuttle
Take advantage of the Stuff Shuttle, a service to collect your personal gear (no valuables, please) and transport it to the finish. After you have checked in and gotten your arm marked, you may turn in your gear to the volunteers at the Stuff Shuttle tent located near the Check-in tents. You will need to show your race number on your arm in order to check your gear. The Stuff Shuttle is open at the Start area 1:00-2:00p.

Remember to remove your goggles and swim cap from your bag before checking your Stuff – we won’t be able to retrieve it for you once it’s checked. And please don’t wear your best jewelry – we can’t be responsible for valuables.

Stuff pickup at the Finish will be at the Northeast corner of the beach, to the left of the Stage. All Stuff checked with our volunteers should be collected soon after you have finished your swim. You must show the race number on your arm to collect your Stuff. Sorry, but you may not collect anyone else’s Stuff for them. As a courtesy to others and for the safety of everyone’s gear, we ask that you please allow the volunteers to retrieve your Stuff for you.

The Flowers Sea Swim is not responsible for articles not collected at the end of the race, nor for any items checked. Please do not check valuable items with your personal belongings.

The Stuff Shuttle tent closes at the Finish at 4:30. Please collect your belongings promptly.

 

Cancer Society Tent

The Cayman Islands Cancer Society is stationed at the start and supplies sunblock and vaseline for greasing up.

Swimmer Briefing and Head Count
At 2:10 swimmers will gather near the stage for swimmer instructions and rules. Immediately after this briefing you will go through a head count. Officials will count each swimmer into the water through a check-point. The swim will begin as soon as possible after the head count is completed.

Entry into Water
Once you have passed through the head count you may enter the water. Please do not enter the water until AFTER you have gone through the head count. Any swimmer who does not go through the head count will be disqualified.

Due to the large number of swimmers, the start field will be large and may stretch down the beach for up to 50yds. Casual swimmers should place themselves at the rear of the pack.

Signs will be posted along the beach indicating estimated swimming times and where you should enter the water: under 20 mins (elite), 20-35 mins, 35-45 mins and over 45 mins. Please enter the water in the zone best suited to your swimming ability. This will allow the faster swimmers to be ahead of you so you are not thrashed by people passing you at the start. Please be considerate of other swimmers, especially at the start.

The Start Line
The Start Line is a rope strung between the beach and a buoy. The Starter will ensure that everyone is behind the Start Line before beginning the race. Both an air horn and a flag are used to start the race (audible and visible signals).

Please note that 75:00 minutes is a very generous cut-off time. You need not be in any rush at the start. The race start can be tricky – in a “cuisinart start” such as this one, where everyone starts at once and arms and legs are flailing everywhere, it is best if you pace yourself. Faster or more able swimmers prefer the outside edge at the front of the pack. If you are more of a novice whose goal is to finish the race, then you may want to place yourself at the back of the pack.

Once the start horn has sounded, stay relaxed and work your way forward in the water. As you pass over the Start Line you will swim over the rope (you may not even notice that it’s there). If you are at the back of the pack, it may take you up to 3 minutes to get from the spot where you entered the water up to the Start line. The cutoff time has been set to take into account the fact that some swimmers will take a couple of minutes to actually cross the Start Line.

Course
The 1-mile course runs parallel to shore along Seven Mile Beach. Water safety craft will patrol the outer limit of the course which is 200m off shore. Please do not swim out beyond the 200m mark.

Large yellow and orange buoys will mark each 1/8th mile along the course. The Finish line is between 2 orange poles and under the Flowers Sea Swim banner. A funnel marked by lane ropes and yellow buoys will lead up to the Finish line.

Please be aware that there are other buoys and markers in the water along the course not related to the race.

Finishing
You must swim into the finish funnel and cross the Finish Line in order to complete the race. When you cross the Finish Line you will be given a place card. Take this card to the Recorders for your group (alpha by surname) and hand it in. The Recorder will write down your place card number which will be matched later with timing data for the overall results. You must turn in your card and be recorded in order to qualify for prizes. If you lose your card before you get to the Recording tent, please report this immediately to the Recording officials and give them your best estimate of your finish place or time. Any swimmer who does not report to Recording and turn in a finish card will be disqualified and not eligible for prizes.

Please note, there is no requirement to tag the finish line banner as in some races. You need only cross the line between the orange poles to finish the race.

All swimmers upon finishing should move away from the finish line in a manner not to impede the Finish Judges and to make room for others to cross.

Do not cross the Finish Line more than once. Any swimmer who crosses the Finish Line twice will be disqualified.

Dropping out of the Race
For safety and scoring purposes, it is vital that you report to an official if you are unable to complete the race. Whether you drop out before the race starts or during the race, and for whatever reason, please report to Check-in officials, a Beach Marshal, or the Recording officials at the Finish, to give them your name and race number. This helps the Recorders account for all swimmers.

Refreshments
The food and drinks tent at the Finish site is intended for swim competitors and event staff. Out of courtesy to other swimmers finishing behind you, please do not take more than your share of food or collect food for family or friends. There is a separate “non-competitors” food tent for Walkers and spectators.

Goody Bag
Goody bags, including your race tee-shirt, are located at the Finish. Show your race number in order to collect your bag.

Showers
Showers are located on site at the north end of the beach. Please use the designated race showers and do not enter the pool area of the Ritz-Carlton.

Ceremony and Awards
The ceremony at the Finish will begin at 4:00p. Awards for the top 4 Men’s and Women’s swimmers will begin as soon as the ceremony is finished. Random prizes will be drawn after the awards. This is a great time to relax, rest, rehydrate and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach.

Swimmers must be present to win random prizes and must show the race number on their arm. Only the winning swimmer can collect her or his own prize.

First Aid
First aid will be available at both the Start and Finish. Please notify the nearest official should you require attention.

Safety
The course will be patrolled by event staff and volunteers on boats, kayaks, and jet skis. Beach Marshals will be stationed at intervals along the beach. If a swimmer feels unable to proceed or wants to get out of the water, they should attract the attention of water safety personnel.

Swimmers enter this event at their own personal risk. They are responsible for their own physical condition, and are urged to train and have a medical check prior to entry. A swimmer deemed incapable of completing the course may be taken out of the water by safety officials at any time. While in the water all swimmers must comply with the directions of the event staff. Any swimmer who pulls out of the race must notify race officials immediately.

Please be aware that there are other buoys and markers in the water along the course not related to the race. Swimmers should note that these fixtures may have barnacles or other marine growth that may cause abrasions or other injuries, and swimmers should avoid contact with them.

In case of emergency, air horns will be sounded repeatedly. Please get out of the water immediately.

Other Considerations
Come to the beach on race day well-hydrated, and continue to drink water before the race starts. Sunscreen is important. Please wear it according to best practices – don’t let a sunburn ruin your afternoon!

Typical Conditions on Race Day

Air temperature	85F avg.
Water temperature	Low 80sF avg.
Winds	Average slight to moderate, 5-10 knots
Current	Average slight to moderate

Volunteers
It takes over 200 volunteers to put this race on. Many of them you see on race day, from check-in through to random prizes. Others work long hours behind the scenes for months in advance of the event. Please take a moment on race day to thank the volunteers who make this event possible.

Event Timeline

PRE-RACE
March 1	Registration opens – Limit 800
Monday, June 14	Brasserie registration, 12n-2:30p
Wednesday, June 16	Registration closes - or sooner if limit is reached
RACE DAY
1:00	Check-in opens – Stuff Shuttle opens
1:45	Check-in closes
2:00	Stuff Shuttle closes at Start area
2:10	Swimmer Briefing and Head Count
2:30	Race Start
3:45	Race finishes – course closed
4:00	Ceremony
4:30	Stuff Shuttle closes
5:00	Awards and random prizes

Cancellation Policy
Due to the charitable nature and complexity of the Flowers Sea Swim, there will be no refunds for any reason including event cancellation.