RULES AND PROCEDURES
The Fifteenth Annual Tampa Bay Marathon Swim will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012. This race is sanctioned by Florida LMSC for
USMS Inc., and current USMS (United States Masters Swimming) Long Distance Swimming rules govern this swim..
Each solo entrant will be assigned an escort power boat, receive a t-shirt, and a custom designed award for completing the swim. There is
also recognition for the USMS male and female age groups 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc. The swimmers’ age on race day determines their age
group. There is recognition for the top three male, female and mixed relays of three and six swimmers. Relay swimmers must be escorted
by an escort craft at all times and competitors are free to make transitions at any point during the race.
The start and finish will take place "in-the-water." Current USMS rules regarding swim suits will be observed. Swimmers may not stand on,
nor push off the bottom. Shallow areas are a danger for both swimmers and boaters so navigational planning is extremely important.
Swimmers in the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim must be accompanied by a powered escort boat during the swim. Swimmers may not touch
their boat or crew at any time with the exception of relay transitions. It’s become a tradition at this swim to “high five” on relay transitions.
Another tradition is to allow all relay swimmers to finish together as a team. Make sure that you have plenty of food, water and/or sports
drink for swimmers and support crew. The average water temperature for Tampa Bay in April is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees
Celsius).
The host hotel and starting line is the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove Resort - 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane; St. Petersburg, Florida 33711.
Phone: 800.227.8045.
Every effort will be made to start the swim at/before 7:05am on Saturday, April 21st. Check-in time begins at 6:00am. If weather conditions
are dangerous (high winds, thunderstorms, poor visibility) the start may be delayed or rescheduled to the next day, or an alternative race
course may be substituted to adhere to safety guidelines. Due to the nature/complexity of this event, no refunds will be given.
The Finish Line is located at Ben T. Davis Beach on West Courtney Campbell Causeway; Tampa, Florida 33607. The fastest competitors
should start arriving around 4:00pm and the awards celebration will last until 9pm, or when the last competitors reach the finish line.
In the event we have a “Best Efforts” finish, awards will be given out on Saturday evening at the Napa Hut, located at the starting line.
For the first time, you will be able to follow the race on-line in real time. Visit DistanceMatters.com to see the graphic display on race day,
and then come back again when you want to see the race replay. We'll also be updating throughout the day with pictures and text. YOU
TOO, can send pictures and text comments to 805.232.4432
Here are the 16 solo swimmers, and the 3 relay teams that have entered the race:
SWIMMER, AGE, HOMETOWN
1. Brad Denton, 48M, Scottsdale, AZ
2. Chris Burke, 50M, St. Petersburg, FL
3. Greg Larson, 43M, San Rafael, CA
4. Sarah Thomas, 29F, Englewood, CO
5. Rob Kent, 47M, Oakville, Ontario
6. Dan Boyle, 46M, New York, NY
7. Katie Brooks, 23F, Asheville, NC
8. Mauro Giaconia, 40M, Palermo, Italy
9. Mark Smitherman, 54M, Clearwater, FL
10. Patti Bauernfeind, 44F, Dublin, CA
11. Tibor Molnar, 19M, Shelton, CT
12. Bart Cobb, 57M, Tampa, FL
13. Alan Barry, 48M, Asheville, NC
14. Pat Marzulli, 63M, Indian Rocks Beach, FL
15. Steve Gruenwald, 50M, Anchorage, AK
16. Arnie Bellini, 53M, Tampa, FL
17. Angry Fish Relay
Chris Kirwin, 46M, Overland Park, KS
Jordan Lewis, 54M, Minneapolis, MN
Dan Snyder, 44M, Los Gatos, CA
Rob Benson, 43M, Mt. Dester, ME
Jim Kirkland, 64M, Alexandria, VA
Jen Raymond, 46F, Stanford, CA
18. Team Hammerhead Aquatics Relay
Bill Korey, 48M, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Andrea Woodburn, 48F, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jonathan Olsen, 49M, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
19. Five Mermaids and a Shark Relay
Patty Hermann, 52F, Houston, TX
Kimberly Hermann, 22F, Houston, TX
Marcy Olsen, 21F, Houston, TX
Caitlin Healey, 29F, Needham, MA
Lauren Tharaud, 30F, Hoboken, NJ
Ted Gregory, 74M, Camp Hill, PA
SCHEDULE
Friday 4:30pm - Early Check-in for swimmers at the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove Resort (starting line). You can get
your entry packets followed by an orientation for swimmers and crew members. It is also the perfect opportunity to
meet other swimmers and crews.
Friday 6:00pm - Meeting for all swimmers and their crews at the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove Resort (starting line).
Introduction of swimmers, and safety/rules meeting etc. Concludes with a Captains’ Meeting
Friday 7:00pm – Social at the Nepa Hut and hotel restaurant
Saturday 6:00am - Check-in for swimmers and crews at the starting line
Saturday 6:45am – Final Check-in for swimmers
Saturday 6:55am - All power boats clear the beach/starting line area
Saturday 7:00am - Start – Swimmers meet kayaks at 5 minutes, power boats at 10 minutes
Saturday 11am – Moment of radio silence to remember King of Tampa Bay, David Parcells
Saturday 3pm - First Swimmers are expected to arrive at finish at Ben T Davis Beach. Crew members and swimmers
should plan on staying at the finish line for recovery and to receive awards.
Saturday 6:00pm+ - Impending Darkness - Swimmers not near the finish line will be removed from the water. All
swimmers must notify the race director upon withdrawal from race. Captains must return their Kattack units and their
numbered Flag to a Yellow-Shirt official.
Saturday 8:00pm – Finish line is officially closed
Sunday 9:30am – St. Pete Masters Workout @ North Shore Pool in downtown St. Petersburg
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dock master at the hotel - 800 227 8045 or 727 867 1151
Use sun screen, wear long sleeve shirts, and a hat while aboard your boat.
Send Texts and pictures to Evan Morrison at: 805.232.4432
FINISH between Ben T. Davis Beach.
There is a channel that is deep
enough for boats and swimmers.
Swimmers and crew should plan to
stay at the finish line at least 30
minutes before leaving.
HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE
Swim to the right of the hump on the
Howard Frankland Bridge.
GANDY BRIDGE Swim to the left of
the hump on the Gandy Bridge.
Swim towards skyscrapers of
downtown Tampa.
St. Petersburg and the Dome is to
your left.
CHECK POINT – BOAT CAPTAINS
MUST CHECK IN WITH THE RACE
DIRECTOR PRIOR TO TURNING
NORTH AROUND PINELLAS PT.
PINELLAS POINT Beware of shallow
water. The fastest route may not be
the shortest way around.
START Boats to the south of the
swimmers. Swimmers will be
accompanied by kayakers only for
the first 10 minutes of swim. Be sure
you are able to identify your
swimmer! Please fly our flag from
your boat.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Each crew member should provide this to their crew captain
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
YOUR NAME___________________________________
AGE/SEX_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
Emergency Contact info: Name________________________
Phone:_______________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSON(S): IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THIS PERSON SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF, WHAT MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE, KNOWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS
ETC. THIS PERSON MAY BE CALLED UPON TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL
PERSONEL. THIS PERSON NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THE PHONE NUMBER YOU GIVE US ON
THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PREPARE FOR THE WORST, HOPE FOR THE BEST!