This information is still subject to change - updated 26 January 2012

Welcome

The race organizers and sponsors take this opportunity to welcome you to the Be Active Busselton Jetty Swim 2012.
For the event to run smoothly and safely it is important that you attend to the following points.

The Course

The swim starts on the East side of the Jetty, rounds the end of the Jetty and finishes on the West side on the beach under the Finish Gate next to the check-in area, a total distance of approximately 3.6 km.

The shortest route is marked with buoys; you should use these as a guide.

For your safety you must keep a good distance away from the Jetty.

Swimmers or support craft are not permitted to go under any part of the Jetty unless directed by race officials.

Today's swimming conditions are: TBA

Wave Starts

Swimmers will start in waves 2 minutes apart in the following order:
Note: the final number of waves will be determined once entrant numbers are confirmed.

Time	Wave	Category	Swim Cap Colour
08:00	Wave A	Individuals	Yellow
08:02	Wave B	Individuals	Fluoro orange
08:04	Wave C	Individuals	Green
08:06	Wave D	Individuals	Pink
08:08	Wave E	Individuals	Purple
08:10	Wave F	First swimmers - 2 person teams	Blue
08:12	Wave G	Individuals	Red
08:14	Wave H	First swimmers - 4 person teams	White
Important: You must wear the swim cap provided at race check-in. It indicates your start wave. Individuals and first leg relay swimmers are also body marked with a start wave letter. (A to H) Each wave starts in the water with a 1 minute call-up. Please listen and move promptly when called.

 

Relay Swimmers

Relay swimmers must tag their team-mate before starting their leg of the swim. 

There are three changeover points.

• 1.0 km; Jetty Platform, on the east side.

• 1.4 km; Allies Landing, next to the jetty on the east side.

• 2.6 km; Jetty Platform, on the west side.

Relay swimmers should know which relay point they are to start from and proceed there after this briefing.

Check the “start and finish points” table in your race information hand-out.

Read the information on our Teams page.

Change over points – At each point there will be a large yellow buoy and 2 large pontoons 20 metres off the jetty with a rope and floats between. You must swim between the jetty and the buoy to tag your team-mate. Please refer to the diagram you received at check in.

Please take care if using the pontoons; do not jump or dive from them.

Individual swimmers should swim outside the large buoys and pontoons at each relay changeover.

2 person relay swimmers should swim outside the large buoys and pontoons at the 1.0 km and 2.6 km changeovers.
Marshalling boats will monitor swimmer conduct and safety.

Post swim clothing - If you need a towel or clothing at the end of your swim make sure your team-mate takes it for you.

All team swimmers must wera a timing band - The last swimmer will be timed for the team at the finish; the other swimmers should cross a timing mat at the foot of the jetty on their way onto the jetty and again when they exit the jetty.  This is a trial to improve our record of who is still in the water at any given time.

Team swimmers 'swimming through' past the end of their swim leg should cross the timing mat at the finish or the timing mat at the foot of the jetty if they exit elsewhere.

The Finish

Swimmers will be timed electronically using a timing band worn on the ankle.
A timing band should be worn by all swimmers.
Note that there is a $25 replacement fee for lost timing bands.

Your time will be recorded as you pass over the timing mats some metres past the finish arch.

Assistance will be available for swimmers having difficulty getting up the beach.

Please move promptly through the finish area to keep it clear for following swimmers.

Hand in your timing band before leaving the fenced area, and then proceed to the check-in desk to receive your finisher’s towel.

Provisional finish times will be available from the results screen, opposite the check-in tents.

Official race times will be available at the presentation and at www.busseltonjettyswim.org.au

Withdrawals

If you withdraw from the event you must notify check-in as soon as possible and return your timing band. The finishing swimmer in each team is must vouch for the safe return of their team mates.

Safety

Considerable effort goes into maximising the safety of participants in this event.

On-water safety  -  Surf Life Saving (SLS) will be attending to on-water safety including a diver to monitor the wave starts.  They have jet skis, IRBs, a number of surf skis, and spotters on the jetty, life saving equipment and radio communications. They highly training for this role and will be highly visible. They are your first option if you help in the water, raise your hand to attract attention.

Tired swimmers may hang on to a ski or a float. Swimmers too far off course will be brought back by SLS.  You will not be disqualified unless your forward progress is aided. 

The swim will be monitored by the Department of Transport for compliance with the Navigable Waters Regulations.  This event has been granted a part exemption from these regulations for bona fide support craft.  Unauthorised Craft may not enter the swim exclusion zone (within 250m of the Jetty).

Personal support craft
Are no longer permitted unless pre-approved by the race organiser. Authorized support craft will accompany their swimmer around the course and will be maked with their swimmers race number.

Stingers
Those concerned by or sensitive to stingers should wear a stinger suit or rash vest and apply a barrier cream.

First Aid
St John’s have a first aid tent behind the finish area. If you need help please summon a St John’s officer or proceed to the first aid tent.  The St John’s officers can call for an ambulance if required. SLS also has first aid and resuscitation equipment. They have a station on the beach west of the finish area.

Fluid & energy replacement - Bottled water and fresh fruit are freely available at the finish.

Sun - Please use sunscreen, which is freely available at the first aid tent. Wear hats, cover up and seek out shade.

Smoking – The Be Active Busselton Jetty Swim 2012 is a smoke free event.

The Jetty Structure - Footware is recommended when walking on the jetty. Watch out for the railway tracks.

The Jetty Train will commence operating at 10:00am.

Evacuation - 3 air horn blasts is the on-water emergency signal. If there is an evacuation you will be directed by the SLS officers on the water or via the public address system on land. There are now ladders 75 metres apart along the jetty (flagged in RED) as well as the landings. Swimmers should head for the nearest ladder or landing and exit the water.

Personal responsibility
The Be Active Busselton Jetty Swim 2012 is an ocean swim. You swim in an uncontrolled, natural environment. The weather, sea conditions and sea life, your own exertions and numerous other factors all introduce an element of risk. The race organizers go to considerable lengths to maximise your safety but ultimately it is your choice to swim today. Your welfare is your personal responsibility or the responsibility of your legal guardian.

Further Information
For assistance during the day please ask one of the event crew in the Orange Crew Safety Vests or Crew T shirts

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:50