Water Safety & Course Support
The average water temperature is 74° - 82°
Personal Swim Buoys
Personal swim buoys/tow floats are allowed in all Epic Races open water swim events and triathlons. Many athletes choose to use them for added visibility, comfort, and confidence in the water.
Use of a personal swim buoy does not disqualify you from awards or official results.
For safety and course management:
- The buoy must be inflatable and attached to the swimmer by a waist belt.
- The tow line may not exceed 40 inches (approximately 1 meter) in length.
- The buoy may not be used as a propulsion device or flotation aid for forward movement.
- Athletes should remain aware of others and avoid interference on the course.
- The buoy MUST be a color other than orange and no larger than 20L (25" x 12"). If you are at the start line with an orange personal swim buoy larger than 20L (25" x 12"), you will not be able to use it in the event.
We support anything that helps athletes feel safer and more confident in the water so they can have a great race experience.
Time-Trial Swim Start
The race will be a time trial swim start. What does that mean? This means that swimmers line up on the beach and, at the race starter’s signal, enter the water in pairs 3 seconds apart. See the race schedule to know when to line up for your race.
Epic Lifeguards
Members of the Epic Lifeguard Team have American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification in addition to basic American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. This means that they have all taken and passed an additional course in which they received training in the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas. Our superbly trained lifeguards are yet another reason our races are so Epic!
There will be a minimum of 20 volunteer safety boats along the course. You are not required to bring your own, but if you have somebody who wants to paddle along with you, have them register as an official volunteer for the race. They need to bring their own boat and provide neutral support.
Aid Stations
There will be 2 aid stations spaced approximately one mile apart. There will be aid station supplies on a boat. They will have water, Gu, and Gatorade. 5K will pass them once, 10K will pass them twice, 15K will pass them 3 times.
