​FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before getting in touch with the U24 team, please have a read through the FAQs. If you absolutely positively cannot find your answer, you can get in touch with us by emailing via the Contact us page.
Do I need to supply my own support paddle craft and operator?
Yes, you do, it is the swimmer's responsibility to source a proficient and experienced paddler and craft for the event. Sign up to our Facebook Group U24 Sorrento Kayak Support Forum. The forum connects paddlers with swimmers but again to reiterate, it is your responsibility to provide a paddler and craft.
A paddler may choose a range of craft including kayak, surf ski, canoe, stand up paddle board if weather permits (an alternative craft must be in place if weather does prevent safe operation, and this will be deemed by event officials). A paddler may be swapped out over the duration of the event, this must happen at the designated changeover points as shown on our detailed maps. The swimmer must follow the paddler to the beach while this happens and under no circumstances can the swimmer continue without a paddler, disqualification will occur if this is the case, and said swimmer will be asked to exit the water immediately.
A swimmer may have a support boat that travels outside the course behind the 5kt poles, this vessel does not replace a paddler and is there simply for visual or comms support.
There are a number of businesses who will hire paddle craft, including "Capacity Sports" Moorabbin who we use and recommend, obviously booking early and allowing time for pick and drop off is important. Capacity sports offer a discount to U24 entrants and offer a delivery and pick up service providing a total order reaches a minimum of 6 craft. We will connect those looking for boats via our socials and email as the event date draws closer each year.
​Important to note: All paddlers and volunteers must register their details on our volunteer registration page via Race Roster.
Can I sign up as a team?
Teams of three or four individuals are permitted with swimmers meeting pre-determined distance challenges. Teams are a great way to build friendships, support each other's training goals and stay motivated until event day. Team swims often lead to further distance challenges the following year (and just a warning, this event and our sport is highly addictive). Your team will be required to nominate a captain, team name and expected pace of your individual swimmers. It is the captain's responsibility to complete all of the registration components for all swimmers, this can be a little onerous so make sure you are collecting clear information from your team members along the way including emergency contact, email, phone, average team pace and estimation of completion time, health concerns, wetsuit or no wetsuit, travel and accommodation plans, position in relay and payments. Payments must be made by a single team captain.
There is also a 12km or 24km "tandem" option available to you - two swimmers together at all times with one paddler.
Can you help me find teammates?
Can I wear a wetsuit? assisted or non-assisted?
Yes, you can. There is an "assisted" category and a "non-assisted" category, and your results and completion certificate will show which category you were swimming under. Assistance includes (but not limited to) gear and devices that will make your swim easier, wetsuits, buoyancy shorts, fins, paddles, non-FINA approved race suits, buoyancy vests etc. Non assistance means you wore a standard FINA approved swimsuit, a single silicone cap and approved goggles (goggles showing course and pace will be deemed as assistance) Smart GPS watches are an approved device for our event.
Is there a cut-off time for the U24, what if I don't make it?
Yes, the cut off time is nine hours. The tide changes after this time and it would be unsafe to keep swimmers out there on the water beyond this point. However, we start our event at a time that aims to achieve maximum tidal assistance and to give all swimmers the greatest opportunity to finish within time constraints. Our team are knowledgeable around likely conditions and can assist you with planning for weather and tidal scenarios on the day. Our event is designed to be as inclusive as possible, even in the unlikely scenario that you don't make it to the finish line prior to our cut-off, you will be awarded a completion certificate showing your time in the water, location and distance from your start. This is an adventure swim where you can be rewarded for your efforts on the day without fear of a DNF.
Do I need to qualify for the U24?
Yes, if you are swimming the 24km distance you will need to qualify at a ratified 5km or 10km event within a time of under 2:15 hrs or 4:00 hours respectively. The BOWS Marathon (always sells out fast) is a great choice, and there will also be opportunities during SwimWell Endurance Squads to qualify. We will email all subscribed swimmers with details about when this session is happening. If you are not wearing a wetsuit for any of the U24 events, you cannot be wearing a wetsuit for your qualifying swim, and this relates to any type of other "assistance" items.
We will accept qualifying results that have been ratified by a registered coach within Australia as long as these are accompanied with an original GPS track via (Garmin, Suunto etc.) This may be particularly appropriate for some interstate or remote swimmers.
Please note that 12km swimmers and teams do not need to qualify.
Where can I find people to train with?
For informal training join the Bay Open Water Swimmers, and Bellywhackers Facebook Groups and let others know that you are keen for a swimming buddy, there is likely to be others who would like to swim with you. With the growth of our sport there are now swim groups who train or simply offer community dips right around the bay and most Victorian coastal locations. Simply ask, we're a friendly lot.
Am I fit enough?
If you can currently swim 3-5km nonstop then you are in a good position to commit to 3 training sessions per week over a 3-4 month period and build up enough fitness for any of the U24 events.
What will be the likely water temperature?
The water temperate will likely be between 19-23 degrees on event day.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
Cancellation Events
The refund and cancellation policy outlined below take into consideration the costs the Event Organiser incurs before the Event takes place.
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To avoid cancellation and trip change costs if you are traveling to the event, please consider taking out appropriate travel insurance and/or booking only refundable accommodation and travel. It is unlikely that your insurer will cover the cost of the event alone.
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Cancelled Event
The Event Organiser reserves the right to make any change or modification to the Event. This includes cancelling the Event or postponing the Event to a later date. Every effort is made to keep changes to a minimum.
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Cancellation due to reasons outside of control of the Event Organiser
If the race course or Event is changed, modified, delayed, or cancelled for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God or the elements (including without limitation, wind, rough water, rain, hail, water pollution, adverse weather condition, threats of marine wildlife, earthquake), acts of terrorism, fire, threatened or actual strike, labor difficulty, work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, government-issued travel restriction or lock downs, regulatory authority issued directives, pandemics, flood, unavoidable casualty, race course conditions, or any other cause beyond the control of the Event Organiser, (Force Majeure) there will be no refund of the entry fee or any other costs incurred in connection with the Event. The Event Organiser will use best efforts to refund any unused funds at the time of the cancellation (after payment of all incurred expenses) equally in proportion to the entry price to all swimmers.
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Cancellation due to other reasons initiated by Event Organiser
In the event that the Event Organiser cancels the Event due to the reasons other than Force Majeure , every effort will be made to refund any unused funds at the time of the cancellation (after payment of all incurred expenses) equally in proportion to the entry price paid to all swimmers.
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Cancellation by Swimmer
Any cancellation must be made in writing by email to the Event Organiser. Cancellations are effective from the date of receipt. An email confirming this will be sent by return. If no email is received by you, please call the Event Organiser for confirmation.
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For cancellations made before 8th December 2024, a swimmer will receive a 50% refund returned to payee via same payment method.
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For cancellations made after 8th December 2024 a partial transfer to the following years event is possible by negotiation with organising committee.
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Prior to the 8th of January 2025, paddlers must be registered, or the swimmer's registration will be cancelled with full loss of entry fee.
Note that credit card fees and surcharges charged by third party payment provided will be added to the ticket and will be non-refundable.
Transfers
A swimmer may transfer their entry to another person in the same entry category who fulfills all entry requirements and is approved by the Event Organiser. A swimmer wishing to transfer his/her entry must inform the Event Organiser by email and provide contact and eligibility details for the replacement swimmer. A transfer fee of $75 is payable by replacement swimmer for the successful transfer of the registration via the transfer entry form on the Event Website.
Booking accomodation, where?
When considering your event accommodation, look at properties anywhere from Mount Martha to Portsea. Cost will increase the closer you are to our glamourous Sorrento finish line. Most locations will have you within 25 minutes of the start so no need to get too fussy. The area is lined with camp and caravan parks for the budget conscious right through to luxury hotels and a full range of BnB properties. It is important that you consider logistics and have some land support to help you move kit from the start to finish or vice versa.
The Mornington peninsula has tonnes to offer and if you have never taken advantage of the area's natural beauty, wineries, food tours along with snorkeling and diving with the seals and dolphins, consider booking an extra couple of days to soak it all in. Search Mornington peninsula attractions on your preferred search engine and the options are endless.
What do I eat and drink while swimming?
Depending on the distance challenge you have chosen, you will need to consider your nutrition carefully. Whatever you choose to sustain you, it is very important that you have practiced with it and understand how it works for your body. Some athletes choose liquid feeds, others gels, and some opt for the real food alternative. We will be offering a number of low-cost online info sessions for those that wish to understand more and we will announce these once registrations has opened for the current year's event. It is your responsibility to fully prepare and communicate your feed plan with your paddler as ultimately it is they who will be feeding you whilst on/in the water.
A simple rule of thumb for those new to endurance swimming is, nothing in the first hour (providing pre-race nutrition has been consumed) and then a planned calorie intake every 30-40 mins after that. Liquid carbohydrates should be alternated with water to avoid upset tummies and cramps. Consider supplements prior to the event particularly if your diet is low in magnesium. Hydration is super important, and you should prepare to be fully hydrated days in advance of your challenge, some athletes consume hydrolyte or similar in the days leading up to the event.
Car parking, toilets and changerooms
Adequate car parking is available at the start, finish and all swimmer changeover points along the event course. Public toilets are located at these same locations and will be open and accessible to swimmers, kayakers, family and support. Please check course maps for details.
An App named "flush" is a good option to load to your phone to locate all public bathrooms in the area.
What sort of medical assistance is provided on course?
our safety planning and permit allows for a number of first aid scenarios. We will have trained first-aiders and responders with medical kit to solve most minor first aid incidents that may occur. We will have automatic defibrillators on course at designated locations along with a number of hyperthermia rescue bags. All crew will be in communication via a dedicated mobile number, VHF radios and general mobile phone service. Emergency services will be advised of our event in progress on the day. All clubs including LSV, yachting and power boat organisation's will be advised of our event prior to our activities getting underway.
I'm ready to register, what's next?
If you are ready to register as a swimmer, the process is simple. Click on the "register now" button on our swimmer registration page and you will be directed to our "race roster" profile where you will be asked to provide some important details in relation to yourself or your team. Some of the data collection may seem onerous but it is important for us to collect this information so that we can keep you safe and informed. Once you have provided all the required information you will be asked to make a payment. (paddler information and 24 km qualifying swim data can be updated prior to January 8th and 31st) Please see our"terms and conditions" section
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How do team registrations work?
Team captain registers as an individual team member, then creates a team by naming it and adding the total estimated swim time for the proposed team.
Team captains can restrict access to the team by creating a team code, the captain must then advise other potential members of the code.
Team members then register as individuals, selecting the teams name and by adding the code.
Potential team members can select a team by accessing their race roster dashboard and selecting the "team" box under registration details
How do I transfer my registration to another potential participant?
A transfer button is displayed within your dashboard and also on the right-hand side of the main U24 registration page.
Log in to your race roster account and select the "transfer" button, scroll down and enter the email of the proposed new participant.
Once completed, the system will email the new participant allowing them to enter their details.
Finally, you will receive an email confirming the transfer has occurred.