Registrations are closed
Registrations are now closed.
To run a Covid-Safe event, on the day registrations cannot be accepted.
The WOW Challenge Open Water Championships
Sunday 28th of February 2021
After a challenging year, the WOW Challenge is ON!
The event is conducted by the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club. Swimmers of all ages and abilities will have the opportunity to choose from a range of swim distances.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer our shorter distance events.
To run a COVID Safe Event, only the long course events are available this season and the number of entrants is capped at 400.
The WOW Challenge provides the chance to swim with the best swimmers from around the world, is part of the Great Victorian Swim Series and raises funds to support Life Saving at Williamstown.
All swimmers can receive a free event t-shirt and everyone can swim in a wetsuit if they choose to.
COVID SAFE SWIMMING EVENTS:
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EVENTS
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PRICE*
(Excluding Booking Fee)
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WOW Challenge 400m, 800m & 1.2km (Postponed to next season)
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N/A
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WOW Challenge 2.5 km
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$55
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WOW Challenge 2.5 km (Multi-Class)
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$55
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WOW Challenge 5 km
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$65
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WOW Challenge 10 km
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$80
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* Register Now charges a 3% booking fee plus credit card surcharges depending on card used.
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Multi-Class Events
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This year, we have a Multi-Class WOW Challenge for the 2.5km event distance only.
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Swimmers competing in Multi Class swimming have an impairment that
leads to a competitive disadvantage.
Classification determines who is eligible to compete in Multi-Class
swimming and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to
their activity limitation.
Swimming classification is used to ensure a fair environment for
competition at all levels.
Please follow this link to find out more about classification: https://www.swimming.org.au/swim-1/compete/multi-class
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If you are a Multi-Class swimmer, please select your category later
during the participant questions section.
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For Multi-Class swimmers, if you need a swim buddy or want to bring
your own swim buddy to accompany you, please email us for
more information.
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PRE-ARRIVAL:
- Before arriving at Williamstown beach, you need to complete a COVID-19 assessment and declaration. A link to the self-assessment will be included with your eTicket email.
ARRIVAL:
- On arriving at the beach, please proceed directly to the COLLECTIONS desk. Here you will be issued with your cap, and an event t-shirt, and then your timing band.
- In accordance with our COVID Safety Plan, you are asked to maintain the 1.5m social distance both at the desk and other participants, and to wear a mask until you have left this area.
- Please ensure you are unaccompanied in this queue, unless a companion is essential for effective communication or your physical welfare.
BAG DROP:
- In accordance with our COVID Safety Plan, there is no bag drop facility available at this year’s event. You are advised not to bring any valuables to the beach with you. Any such items are left on the beach at your own risk. You are also requested not to leave any personal items on the club grounds. Please maintain safe social distancing on the beach, including between your bag and others.
EVENT TIMING:
- In accordance with our COVID-Safe plan, this year’s event is a timed event. There will however be no specific start times for races or categories. Instead you will be allocated a start window.
- Should COVID restrictions be eased by the Victorian Government, the race format may revert to a traditional race.
MARSHALLING
- It is important to observe your allocated start window and every effort will be made to get everyone into the water punctually. While you wait, please maintain safe social distance by standing beside a marker within the marshalling lane/s at the start line.
- Each competitor will be started individually. Start times will be taken from the supplied timing band as you cross the electronic start line. This event is a beach start only.
- A safety briefing is available now on the WOW Challenge Website. It is your responsibility to view this briefing and familiarise yourself with the course. Live briefings will not be available on the day.
- Please ensure you are unaccompanied in this queue, unless a companion is essential for effective communication or your physical welfare.
FEEDING PLATFORM:
- A feeding platform will be in place in the water for those requiring mid-swim nutrition. It will be supervised only – no feeding assistance will be available to competitors. No other persons will be permitted on or in the vicinity of the platform during the event.
- Please secure your nutrition to the platform in a mesh bag, clearly marked with your name. Anyone observed interfering with, moving, or removing articles belonging to another competitor, will be requested to leave the water immediately. A DSQ or DNF may be recorded.
FINISH LINE:
- You must pass under the FINISH arch on the beach to obtain a race time.
- Once you have passed under the arch, please remove your timing band as quickly as possible, place it in one of the marked tubs, and LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY.
- There will be no post-swim refreshments available.
WATER BOTTLES:
- In line with our COVID Safety Plan, please bring your own bottled water supply and post-swim nutritional requirements. None will be supplied on the day.
SPECTATORS/COMPANIONS:
- In keeping again with our COVID Safety Plan, we politely ask spectators NOT to attend this event.
- Should you require a companion to be present for medical or well-being purposes, they are requested to maintain safe social distance from all other competitors at all times, to wear a mask when in the vicinity of any official areas, and to only be in those areas for the minimum amount of time possible.
BY-LAWS:
- Swimming Victoria By-Laws apply. These By-Laws stipulate that refunds will not be provided unless an entry is rejected. Refunds are not provided for any other reason; including medical grounds.
REFUNDS:
- Refunds less an administration fee will be available if the event is cancelled due to COVID-19. Please refer to the registrations waiver for more information.
PRIZES:
- The WOW Challenge has a total prize pool value of $2,500. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters in each age group/swim distance.
MORE INFORMATION:
