WOW Challenge Open Water Championship

The WOW Challenge Open Water Championships

Sunday 5th of March 2023

After another 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 still not able to offer our shortest distance events (400m & 800m)

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: 

* Register Now charges credit card surcharges depending on card used.

TEAMS Option:

• You can sign on as a team of 5 and pay for 4 swimmers. (Register all 5 swimmers at the same time)

10km Non-Wetsuit Swim:

• If you’re accepting the 10km WOW Challenge non-wetsuit Swim, you’re not allowed to use any artificial aids to help you.
• Your swimsuit must comply with FINA’s Open Water Swimming Rules.
• A complying swimsuit:
  1. Is of a woven textile material
  2. Does not cover the neck
  3. Does not extend beyond the shoulders or ankles.
• FINA rules may change the rules from time to time. As a swimmer, it’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re compliant.
• Check out the FINA guidelines directly for more information.  
  

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. 
• 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. Zip Lock bags will be available for your phone and/or car keys. Any such items are left with us 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:

• Weather permitting, 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 provided to competitors.
• We encourage swimmers to arrange their own feeding assistance.  In water feeders using appropriate feeder poles is allowed.  Please avoid congestion and keep clean of the platform to allow unassisted swimmers unobstructed access to their nutrition.
• 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.
• A City West Water fountain will be provided for your use.

SPECTATORS/COMPANIONS:

• 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, and to only be in those areas for the minimum amount of time possible.

BY-LAWS:

REFUNDS:

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:

• For more information please email us or call 0448 581 306 or follow the link to WOW Challenge or Swimming Victoria Open Water Championships