USA Swimming # GUSC 13-00 USMS # 252-W003

Twin Lakes Scuba Park is a 31 acre aquifer fed lake. It is located on Highway 6 just 1.8 miles east of Texas 288 in

Manvel, TX. 77578. Please note that Twin Lakes charges $5 per vehicle into the park.

Coming from Houston, go south on Texas 288, past the Sam Houston Toll way about 8 miles, exit Highway 6 and go east (left). Twin Lakes Scuba Park is 1.8 miles down on the right side of the road.

Entry into the park and parking is $5 per vehicle. There are no changing rooms available, but there are portable bathrooms.

All participants must be currently registered with USA Swimming to be eligible. Proof of eligibility must be provided with entry.

The race course will be open for warm up after the 8:00 am start of a USMS masters race, please stay to the outside edge of the course so competitors have an unobstructed path. Warm up will end at 8:45 am or prior to the completion of the first Masters Open Water Racer. Only registered swimmers may enter the course. There will not be a continuous warm up location, although swimmers will be allowed to loosen up just prior to the start of the race.

Entry Info:

All USA swimmers will be started at the scheduled start time. Staggered starts by age or sex may used at the discretion of the meet referee dependent upon the number of swimmers entered in each event. There will be pre-race instructions given 10 minutes prior to each race.

All swimmers must check in with the clerk of course. All swimmers will be numbered by clerk of course for identification. Each swimmer must be numbered 30 minutes prior to the start of their race.

The race course will be 800meters. The race will start and finish in the water. It will be swum in a clockwise direction with buoys staying on your right shoulder. The finish shall take place at the floating dock.

USA Swimmers are not allowed to wear any device that will aid their speed. USMS swimmers may wear a wet suit, but will not be eligible for awards.

The meet will be swum under all conditions except thunder and lightning. If there is hazardous weather in the area we will delay the meet 30 min per occurrence. We will make every attempt to swim the races.

Each swimmer participating will receive a meet T Shirt. Please include size in individual entry form. If entering as a team via Hy Tek file please include shirt sizes in entry email.

We will have 1st place through 3rd place medals for male and female 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15 & over Gulf Swimmers. Open to all USA Swimming registered athletes only Gulf registered swimmers are eligible for awards.

Only Gulf registered teams and swimmers are eligible to score points. Scoring will be 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, 1st place through 8th place.

The entry deadline is Tuesday, September 25th, 6:00pm for USA Swimmers and Thursday, September 30th for USMS swimmers. The race entry fee is $25 for the first race and $10 for each additional race the swimmer enters. Late entries will be accepted through the end of race check-in for an additional $25 late fee.

832-275-0035 acaldwell@rice.edu 281-242-1334 Herb.Schwab@gmail.com, 832-620-5183

USA Swimming entries are encouraged to enter using Hy Tek Team Manager. Find meet file on Gulf web page. Send all entries and entry fees to:

Seth Huston
RICE Aquatics Masters 710 Cheltenham
Katy, TX. 77450

Email USA/USMS Entries to Amanda Caldwell at acaldwell@rice.edu
Make checks to Rice Aquatics Masters and inquiries to Seth Huston, shuston@rice.edu or call at 713-539-3041.

Safety is our prime consideration. While there are no qualifying standards for this event, you should previously complete a one mile swim in 40 minutes or faster in order to swim in this event. You should be healthy and in reasonably fit swimming shape. Swimmers will be allotted 20 minutes per .5 mile to complete the course.

Accounting for Swimmers – Each swimmer will be given a race number during the check in phase of the meet. After the pre-race meeting the swimmers will enter the lake from one dock and check in with the volunteers in charge of tracking the swimmers. These volunteers will be taking the total number of swimmers entering the water and their race numbers. During the finish phase of the competition the swimmers will exit from the opposite pier and have the same volunteers record their finish time, race number and order finish.

Location of Safety Marshall – The safety marshal will be located on land at the start and finish location.

Rescue Personnel and Equipment – Rescue personnel will be in kayaks positioned at each turn buoy and at the start and finish of the race. There will also be a motorized platform that will follow the lead pack of the race. All rescue personnel will have lifesaving buoys throughout the race. Water will also be available for emergency situations on the platform.

Location of First Aid and Safety Station- The first aid kit is located at the registration table near the start and finish line. There will be safety stations set up on shore nearest to the turn buoys in the water.

Medical Evacuation Plan- If a swimmer is struggling or needs assistance they should swim to the nearest shoreline and wait for the safety staff to arrive. If unable to make it to the shore the swimmer should wave their hand and stay in the same location, rescue personnel will come to their assistance. Swimmers will then be transported to the nearest shoreline or finish line by kayak or motorized boat. The safety marshal will determine the severity of the situation and take the necessary action. The safety marshal will transport any swimmer needing to be driven to a medical facility.

Weather Evacuation Plan – The meet will be swum under all conditions except thunder and lightning. If there is hazardous weather in the area we will delay the meet 30 min. per occurrence. We will make every attempt to swim the races. If there is hazardous weather during a race foghorns will be used to alert swimmers to exit the lake at the nearest point. Swimmers are to meet back at the registration area.