Race Information Pack
12th July 2013
01437 765 777
The Wales Swim 2013
Dear Competitor,
Welcome to the 2013 Long Course Weekend and thank you for choosing this event - it promises
to be a fantastic weekend for all. Many of you have been training for months and we believe we
have a course that will test you both mentally as well as physically, whilst at the same time deliver
an experience you will always remember.
The county of Pembrokeshire and the town of Tenby look forward to welcoming you and we are
sure that you will have a great time. This event pack provides all the information you need to
get the best from your weekend. Race numbers and chips are to be collected from the Expo at
registration.
The Activity Wales Events Team are excited to be bringing you this event once again in such a
wonderful location. We know that juggling busy lives with demanding training schedules is tough,
but this is the perfect opportunity for you to relax and make friends that hopefully you will see
again and again on the event circuit, all over the UK.
There will be lots of nerves on the start line, but just remember you won’t be on your own, relax
and enjoy the occasion.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask our registration team and we will be happy to
help.
Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you’re completely set;
- Have you checked that you are registered for the correct event?
- Are you bringing your children? Taff Kids is open to children aged 4 - 14!
- Have you got your wristband for the post race party?
- Is your accommodation booked? If not, call 01437 765 777 and see what’s available.
Good luck and we’ll see you over the weekend of 12th – 14th July!
The Activity Wales Events Team
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Contents
Travel Info
Page 4
Registration
Page 5
The Wales Swim
Page 6
Timing Chips
Page 10
Photography Page 12
Useful Numbers
Page 13
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Travel Information
Tenby by Train
Tenby is connected by local rail line to Swansea, Cardiff and Pembroke Dock. During the
weekends in the summer there are a limited number of services to and from London Paddington.
For tickets call 01437 765 777
Tenby by Bus
Regular service runs from Swansea. National Express service runs from London and Birmingham.
For tickets call 01437 765 777
Tenby Parking
Car parking is ample in Tenby; there are various public car parks, just follow the P signs located as
you approach Tenby.
Directions to Tenby - See AA Route Planner
KEY AREAS:
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1)
De Valence, Tenby – Location of Expo, Registration, Pasta Party & Post-Race Functions
2)
North Beach, Tenby – Swim Location & Taff Kids
3)
Salterns Car Park, Tenby – Sportive Start
4)
Tudor Square, Tenby – Finish for Sportive, Start & Finish Marathon and Medical Centre
5)
Pembroke Castle, Pembroke - Half Marathon Gather Point
Registration
Registration for 2013 will take place in;
De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 7SD
De Valence is located at the top of Upper Frog Street in Tenby. It is within easy walking distance of
the multi-storey car park. Marshals and signs will direct you on the day.
Please note athletes will be issued with their timing chip, race number and goodie bag at
registration.
At registration it is essential that you ensure that your details are correct and that you are entered
into the correct category and race distance. Athletes will not be permitted to change the race
distance during the event. Failure to complete the entered distance will result in a DNF this
year. You will still receive a t-shirt and medal; however no time will be given to those athletes not
completing the distance they entered online.
Any changes to race distance will incur an admin fee of £5 to cover new chip and race number.
No changes to race distance can be made within 2 weeks of the event.
Please note athletes registered for the LCW entry only are entitled to the LCW medal.
The events must not have been entered on an individual basis.
Essentials in Your Goodie Bag (Please check prior to leaving registration)
The Wales Swim Athletes
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•
1 x Swim Hat (Please note you are only permitted to wear the hat issued)
•
1 x timing chip which you will use for each event.
•
1 x timing chip strap.
The Wales Swim – www.thewalesswim.com
Friday 12th July
11am-8pm - De Valence, Tenby - Expo Registration opens for all athletes. Long Course Weekend,
The Wales Swim, The Wales Sportive, The Wales Marathon and Taff Kids.
LONG COURSE ATHLETES AND WALES SWIM ATHLETES MUST REGISTER BETWEEN
11 AM AND 5.30 PM.
Priority will be given to LCW and Swim athletes from 4-5:30pm, although all athletes are welcome
to register during these times.
11am-8pm - Massage in the De Valence close to the finish line.
4:30pm - Radio Pembrokeshire start broadcast from North Beach as athletes will start to
assemble.
5pm - Lifeboat Launches and comes around to North Beach
6pm - Swimmers into start pen
6:10pm - Swim briefing on the swim start, North Beach
6:20pm - Race warm up
6:30pm - Swim start (Beach Start)
8:50pm - Last swimmer cut off time.
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The Wales Swim – www.thewalesswim.com
The swim will take place on Tenby’s North Beach and is a 1.9km lapped course, which is the
same as Ironman Wales. The course has been designed so that athletes who are competing in
the 3.8km race have the opportunity to assess the conditions and make an informed decision on
whether to complete the course at the half way mark! However, athletes signed up to the 3.8km
distance who don’t complete the correct number of laps will be classed as DNF.
Swimmers are advised that the current water temperature is 13 degrees. Please note that we
reserve the right to withdraw anyone from the race that appears to be suffering from the cold
during the dry land run between laps. Wetsuit hats, socks and gloves are permitted. Please bring
warm clothing to change into immediately after your race.
Swimmers will be allocated different coloured hats depending on race distance selected. These
must be worn at all times. Failure to wear the allocated hat will result in disqualification. It is a
clockwise swim, keeping the buoys on your right.
Registration
Registration for The Wales Swim takes place at De Valence between 11am and 5:30pm on Friday
12th July.
Race Briefing
Race briefing will take place at 6:10pm on the beach in the race pen.
Swim Acclimatisation
All swimmers will be required to enter the water prior to the race start to acclimatise to the
conditions. This is imperative for health and safety reasons. Athletes are also advised to keep
active during their time in the start pen to ensure that their heart rate is above their normal resting
rate prior to the swim start. Athletes are permitted to wear boots but NOT gloves.
Swim Start
6:30pm – It is a mass beach start with all the swimmers starting in one wave.
Cut Off Times
For Health and Safety reasons there will be a cut off in place for the event. 3.8 km swimmers
will be given 1 hour to complete the 1st lap. There will be a total cut off of 2hrs. Please note
that we reserve the right to change this prior to the event. Any amendments will be published in
registration.
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The Wales Swim – www.thewalesswim.com
Safety
Athletes must ensure they wear the timing chip, we enforce a “no chip, no time” policy. Athletes
must rank themselves according to their expected finish time. Please use the signage provided
which will help you with this. Athletes must take care when entering and exiting the water. Should
you need assistance during the swim, lie on your back and put your arm in the air. For this reason
forward facing strokes are only permitted in the swim. If you fail to start after registering you MUST
report to the race office prior to the start of the race, this is for safety reasons.
Notes
1.9km swimmers must be aged 14 years or over on race day. Due to recent conditions, wetsuits
are mandatory for all swimmers. Under 18’s must have a legal guardian to sign disclaimer at
registration.
3.8km swimmers must be aged 18 years or over on race day. Wetsuits are compulsory.
Should you require a wetsuit they can be hired in advance. Please call The AWE Team on 01437
765 777
For the Swim course, see page 11
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The Wales Swim – www.thewalesswim.com
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Further Information
Timing – No Chip No Time
You will be given a timing chip that must be attached to your LEFT ANKLE for the duration of the
race.
Long Course Athletes - You will keep the SAME chip for the duration of the event. Bike clips will be
issued in your goodie bag for use on the Sportive.
Swim, Sportive, Full Marathon and Half Marathon entrants will be issued chips in your registration
bags for individual days.
NOTE: For this event we are using Champion Chip Timing. We are not charging a deposit for use
of chips. Please ensure that you hand your chip in to an official at the finish line location even if
you fail to complete the event. If you lose your chip, £10 will be charged for its replacement. This is
the fee the timing company charges us for non returned chips.
Finish Times will be displayed at the end of the event and full results on website soon after. The
web address is www.longcourseweekend.com
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Further Information
Nutrition
SWIM - There will be a water station at the finish line.
GELS ARE KINDLY SPONSORED BY GU & ACCELERADE. THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
QUESTIONS IN THE EXPO.
Functions
There will be various functions over the weekend which we welcome and encourage all athletes
and spectators to attend. It is a great way for all to unwind and enjoy the company of fellow
athletes.
Saturday 13th July: 6pm-8pm
Pasta Party in De Valence
Sunday 14th July: 7:30pm til late
Post Race Party with live band in De Valence
Failure to Finish
If you are unable to finish the race you MUST report to an official to inform them and hand in your
timing chip.
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Further Information
Event Photography
Ross Grieve is one of the countries leading portrait and sports photographers. He and his team
will be taking shots over the weekend and they will be available to buy from his site:
www.rossgrieve.com
If you and your family would also like some shots taken, speak to Ross’ team at the Expo and they
will arrange some fantastic memories of your Long Course Weekend together.
The Presentation & Prizes
Presentations will take place approximately 15 minutes after each event has officially ended.
Information on the location will be provided on the race day. There will be a full prize list displayed
in registration.
Local Facilities, Toilets & Showers
Toilets are located in De Valence and there are also public toilets located in strategic points
around Tenby. Ask a member of staff at registration for more details.
GET A FREE SHOWER - The showers at Tenby Leisure Centre will be open to use from
7.30am-10pm on Friday and from 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Simply show your race number
at reception, without a race number you will be asked to pay.
The Activity Wales Events Team run an information and booking service. So if you need any
advice on accommodation, child friendly places to eat etc, please call 01437 765 777 and we will
be glad to help.
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Further Information
USEFUL NUMBERS
•
Activity Wales Events concierge line – 01437 765 777
•
Darren at Tri Exercise – 01437 768007 If you need kit or wetsuit hire, call Darren and he
will arrange to bring product to registration for you.
Environmental Impact
We are very lucky to be granted the relevant permissions to stage the race in Pembrokeshire so
please help us by reducing the environmental impact as much as possible and take all you litter
home.
Good luck with your race and remember RACE SAFELY,
Activity Wales Events Team
*Please note that all details are correct at the time of publishing and may change. All details will
be given at registration. It is the athlete’s responsibility to follow all instructions of the marshals
and race officials.
Activity Wales Events has a growing list of top quality events. Keep an eye on the website
www.activitywalesevents.com and remember to enter early as most of our events sell out early.
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