Steve Belson Memorial Masters One & Two Mile Ocean Swims

Steve Belson Memorial Masters One & Two Mile Ocean Swims
Colonies Zone Open Water Championships
Sanctioned by the Metropolitan LMSC for USMS, Inc. Sanction # 068-W001
Sponsored by the Metropolitan LMSC & The Steve Belson Memorial Scholarship Fund

TIME:               
Check-in: 6:45AM; Start: 8:00 AM

NEW LOCATION:    
Beach 95th Street, Rockaway Beach, NY (Note that the location has been changed BACK TO THE ORIGINAL LOCATION as of July 3, 2018. This is the original location, the 95th Street Beach.)

RACE DIRECTOR:  
Bob Kolonkowski   rpk248@netzero.com

ELIGIBILITY:   
Open to USMS registered swimmers 18 years of age or older who can complete the course in one (1) hour or less.  Non USMS members will have to pay for a one-day (OEVT) USMS registration ($20) which is provided in the online event registration process. It is recommended that all swimmers register with USMS for a full year ($47).

COURSE:         
One Mile: ½ mile west, turn marker buoy return ½ mile east (low tide 8:14 AM).  Two Mile: two loops.

SAFETY:         
Safety services provided by volunteer lifeguard staff.  All participants are required to wear a swim cap (provided).  A one-hour cutoff time will be enforced for the one-mile swimmers and 45 minutes (at the mile for two-mile swimmers). No personal escorts are permitted. No wetsuits, tri-suits or other swim aids permitted. Water temperature range: 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit. If weather conditions warrant temperature below 68 degrees a cold water thermal plan will be in place.

ENTRIES:        
All race entries must be processed online. No race day entries.
Registration CLOSES at 11:59PM ET on Thursday, August 2, 2018. Entry fee of $55 (late fee cancelled!). Event proceeds will be donated to the Steve Belson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

AWARDS: 
T-shirts and swim caps for all swimmers, custom awards to top three male and female swimmers overall and all male and female swimmers in each age group: 18-24, 25-29 etc. Award ceremony and refreshments presented after the race.

RULES:  
2019 United States Masters swimming rule book. Race directors reserve the right to cancel, or modify this event due to unsafe conditions.

DIRECTIONS (note that these are directions to the 95th Street Beach, as of July 3, 2018):
From midtown Manhattan: take Queens Midtown Tunnel to 495 (LIE) East to exit 19 Woodhaven Blvd. use the right lane to follow signs for Rockaways stay on Woodhaven Blvd (9 miles) to Cross Bay Bridge straight onto 95 St and the boardwalk. Free parking on 95 St cross from the boardwalk.

From Belt Pky (Brooklyn):  take  Belt east toward Kennedy Airport take exit 11s  South toward Rockaways cross Marine Pky Bridge use the middle lane  to stay on Beach Channel Drive toward Cross Bay Pky to Beach 95th Street. 

From Southern Pky (Nassau):  take  SSP east to Belt Pky past Kennedy to exit 17 S merge onto Cross Bay Blvd to  Bridge to  Beach 95th Street.  The A  subway train also has service to the Rockaways. 

Warm-ups start at 6:45 AM
Meet starts at 8:00 AM