​TERMS AND CONDITIONS
U24 EVENT RULES
The U24 Swim is a 24k open water swim starting at Safety Beach, and finishing on the Sorrento foreshore, Victoria. The (EVENT) is held every year in February. Event organiser is Neverland Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as SwimWell (Event Organiser).
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The following Event rules will apply to the Event and are subject to change. Any changes will be published on the Event website www.u24.com.au. The most current rules at the time of the Event will apply.
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The Event will be conducted in a safe, friendly and sportsperson like manner. Any unsportsmanlike conduct or actions that compromise other participants health and safety will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Decisions of the Event officials are final and are not subject to appeal.
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Entry Categories:
SOLO - 1 Swimmer swimming 24km along with 1 paddler.
TANDEM SOLO 24 - 2 swimmers swimming 24km together with 1 paddler per swimmer.
SOLO 12km - 1 Swimmer swimming 12km with 1 paddler.
TANDEM SOLO 12 - 2 swimmers swimming 12km together with 1 paddler.
TEAM - 3 or 4 swimmers swimming custom or 6km each sharing at least one 1 paddler per team and fees payable in full by team captain.
Tandem entries, 12 or 24km (2 solo swimmers with a single paddler). Each swimmer is required to enter as an individual with a single paddler nominated within their entry.
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Each entry permits participation in the registered category only and is only transferrable in accordance with our Cancellation Policy.
EVENT RULES ALL
· The minimum age for all swimmers (Solo, Tandem solo, Team) at the date of entry is 18 years
· All swimmers must agree to these Event Rules, the Refund and Cancellation Policy and the Event Waiver.
· The Event organiser reserves the right to accept, reject and cancel entries
· Swimmers are permitted to wear any type of swimsuit or wetsuit, although swim categories will apply.
· Swim aids are permitted including snorkel, fins, paddles, but swim categories will be applied, and this may affect the use of results to enable qualification for other events. If aids are being used, please nominate "assisted swim" when registering.
​-All swimmers must wear the official event swim cap provided by the Event organiser.
· All swimmers must swim within 10 metres of their support paddler at all times
· Swimmers must remain on the Course at all times.
· The cut-off times for the Event is 9hrs after the Event start. The event start will be announced on the Event website.
· Swimmers must comply with all directions from Event officials, medical staff and Event volunteers and withdraw from the event when directed to do so.
· All swimmers must attend the mandatory Event briefing which will be announced on the Event website.
· All swimmers must check-in on Event Day at Event Check in.
· No swimmer may proceed on the course without a support paddler.
· All Swimmers must nominate their paddlers no later than 8th January. Failure to provide paddlers' details will result in disqualification with no refund.
- All Swimmers and teams must have at least one individual as their land support.
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SOLO RULES (24KM) - Qualifying swim
• Provide evidence no later than 31 January of the current event year:
• completing a 10k open water swim in 4 hours or less within the previous 12 months prior to registration or before January of the current event year.
• completing a previous U24 full 24km event within 2 years prior or
• completed an alternative open water swim event that is at least 20k within the last 12 months prior to registration or before January of the current event year.
(Qualifying Swim)
SOLO RULES (12KM) - NO qualifying swim is required.
TANDEM SOLO 24km - Qualifying swim.
· Provide evidence of a Qualifying Swim before 31 January of event year.
· Tandem Solo swimmers must swim within 20 metres of each other at all times.
· Tandem Solo swimmers may share a paddler.
TEAM RULES
• Team swimmers may share a paddler.
· Team changeovers are only permitted at the 3 designated change-over areas.
PADDLERS
• All paddlers must wear a lifejacket and carry the mandatory equipment (whistle, radio, course map, swimmer food, mobile phone in waterproof pouch)
• Paddlers may only change over at the 3 designated change over areas.
• Paddlers must read and accept the mandatory briefing notes and rules prior to event day.
EVENT RESULTS
• This is a timed event, not a race. Full official results will be provided but no individual rankings will be prepared.
• Every swimmer who completes their registered category will be awarded with a Finisher medal, certificate and merchandise
U24 CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
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.
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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.
• For cancellations made before 8th December, a swimmer will receive a 50% refund returned to payee via same payment method.
• For cancellations made after 8th December, a partial transfer to the following years event is possible by negotiation with organising committee.
• Prior to this date, 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.
U24 EVENT WAIVER
These terms and conditions (Event Waiver) apply to all swimmers participating in the Event and each swimmer agreed to be bound by the Event Waiver by ticking ‘Accept Event Waiver’ in the registration process on the Event website.
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In consideration of and as a condition of acceptance by the Event Organiser of my entry in Event for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and legal personal representatives hereby waive all and any claim, right or cause of action which I or they might otherwise have or at any future time have against the Event Organiser for or arising out of loss of life or injury (including psychological trauma) damages or loss of any description whatsoever (including property damage) which I or my equipment may suffer or sustain in the course of, or consequent upon, my entry or participation in the Event howsoever arising except to the extent limited or prohibited by law.
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I hereby indemnify, release and discharge the Event Organisers together with all persons and entities involved or otherwise engaged in promoting, staffing or operating the Event Organiser’s other suppliers and Event sponsors, hosts, promotors and land owners and lessees (referred to as “Event Partners”) together with their employees, officials, members, volunteers, agents and contractors, from all liability for loss of life or injury, (including psychological trauma), damages or loss of any description whatsoever (including property damage) which I or my equipment may suffer or sustain in the course of or consequent upon my entry or participation in the Event howsoever arising except to the extent limited or prohibited by law.
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I hereby declare that I am medically and physically fit and psychologically fully capable of participating in and have undertaken adequate training for the Event.
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I warrant that prior to participating in the Event I:
a) am and must continue to be medically and physically fit and able to undertake and participate in the Event;
b) am not a danger to myself or to the health and safety of others;
c) have not at any time suffered any blackout, seizure, convulsion, fainting or dizzy spells; and
d) I am not presently receiving treatment for any condition, illness, disorder or injury which would render it unsafe for me to take part in a recreational activity including participating in the Event.
I confirm that I am and that my support paddler is eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of my entry and agree that if I am or my support paddler is found to be younger than 18 years of age I will be disqualified from the Event and no refund will be given.
I agree and accept that the only insurance coverage maintained by the Event Organiser for the Event is public liability cover which may not cover any damage or loss I or my paddler may suffer and any loss or damage incurred will be my sole responsibility.
I consent to receive such medical aid or preventative treatment, including ambulance transportation, which may be deemed advisable in the unfettered discretion of medical personnel and lifesavers in the event of any injury, accident, or illness to me as the result of my participation in the Event.
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I acknowledge and accept that the Event officials and any on water support event volunteers or staff have the authority to disqualify me if they believe that I should not continue in the Event for medical reasons.
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I acknowledge that I must, and I agree that I will, disclose any pre-existing medical or other condition that may affect the risk that either I or any other person will suffer injury, loss or damage. I acknowledge that Event Organiser rely on information provided by me and that all such information is accurate and complete. I will report any accidents, injuries, loss or damage I suffer during the Event to the relevant Event Organiser before I leave any relevant venue or race area. I hereby acknowledge and agree that the Event Organiser will have the right to modify the Event or any aspect thereof (including the race rules) or to cancel the Event:
a) In event of any circumstances which prior to or during the Event, in the sole discretion of the Event Organiser, pose or may pose an unacceptable risk or danger to people or property. Without derogating from the generality of the above, such circumstances may include but are not limited to storm, rain, winds, currents, attack or risk of attack by sea creatures or any other inclement weather or ocean conditions;
b) if required under any statutory framework or should the Event Organiser be so directed or ordered by any authority or agency with relevant jurisdiction; or
c) due to any circumstances reasonably outside the control of the Event Organiser necessitate modification or cancellation of the Event,
d) In event of such modification or cancellation of the Event the Event Organiser will have no obligation to refund my Event entry fee or any portion thereof.
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I agree to participate in the Event in accordance with the Event Rules and conditions as determined by the Event Organiser.
I acknowledge and agree that details of all Event participants will be entered into a database and publicly published/displayed by or on behalf of the Event Organiser, including but not limited to official event results and my name, postcode, suburb, age group, gender, event race number and finish time.
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I grant the Event Organisers and all Event Partners a royalty free worldwide licence in perpetuity, to use and allow the use of my name, image, likeness, voice, interview and statements in broadcasts, telecasts, web casts, media press materials, promotional materials and otherwise in connection with the Event.
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I acknowledge that I must complete the Event within 9 hours from the official start time. Should I not complete the said Event within the abovementioned timeframe I agree to leave the water when instructed to do so by a race official; or should I not leave the water when instructed to do so, that I may be removed by Event officials from the water for my own safety and for the safety of others and may be disqualified and/or banned from future events.
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I acknowledge and agree that:
a) Participation in the Event is inherently dangerous and physically and psychologically demanding;
b) Participation in the Event could result in serious injury or death to/of participants (including me);
c) The risk of injury or death may be aggravated by changing sea and weather conditions, attacks from or contact with sea creatures (like sharks, stingers, jelly fish or blue bottles), other participants, vessels debris or other objects in the ocean,
d) human error and/or participants’ (including my) failure to participate in a safe and reasonable manner d) I have read and understood this warning and voluntary accept and assume the inherent risks in participating in the Event.
I agree that, if anything in this Event Waiver is to be considered to be unenforceable, illegal or void for any reason then it shall be read down and, if necessary, severed so that the balance of these terms and conditions of entry and race rules remain of full force and effect.
I acknowledge and agree that the Event Organiser may in its sole discretion vary or supplement the terms and conditions for entry and/or participation in the Event by giving reasonable notice and that such notice may include but will not be limited to such varied or additional terms and conditions being displayed or publicly announced at the Event Venue or at the Event starting point.
I acknowledge and agree that the Event Organiser reserve the right to determine in its sole discretion the number of participants for the Event and the right to accept or reject any entry at their discretion and also to issue special invitations.
I declare that all the information supplied by me in the Event registration system is true and correct.