FAQ for 2024 Registering
4.4 Mile LOTTERY
The 2024 Great Chesapeake Bay Swim is a lottery drawing system for the event. Participants from the previous year are sent out emails to invite them to an Early Bird event, which consists of a donation and registration, but guarantees entry to the 4.4 mile swim.
WHEN DOES THE LOTTERY START?
We will open the general lottery for the 4.4 Mile Swim on September 30th, 2023 at 12pm (EST).
HOW DO I ENTER THE LOTTERY?
You will go through the sign up process, and enter all of your information. You will also enter your credit card information for the $350 fee. YOUR CARD WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL YOU ARE SELECTED FROM THE LOTTERY!!!!
HOW DO YOU DRAW THE LOTTERY?
We use a random number generator and draw the names using that process. We will complete THREE ROUNDS of lottery drawings. If you are chosen in the first round, you are asked if you want to accept the spot, deny but be put back in, or deny and be removed from future rounds.
WHEN IS THE FIRST LOTTERY?
We will draw the first 200 swimmers for the 4.4 Mile Swim on November 15th, 2023 at 12pm (EST). The 2nd round will be December 1st at 12pm (EST) and the final round will be December 15th, 2023.
WILL YOU POST WHO IS CHOSEN?
Yes!!! We will send emails to everyone chosen, post the email to our website, and post on Social Media. If you do not respond before the next round, you will not be accepted.
4.4 Mile Longevity (15 years +)
If you have swam the 4.4 Mile Swim with us 15 times or more, please reach out to us directly at info@bayswim.com and you will be sent a direct registration link to register, bypassing the lottery. Thank you for your support over the years!
Qualifying Swim For The 4.4?
All 4.4 Mile swimmers must have done a qualifying swim in the past 2 years from the date of the event. All swims must be done before June 9, 2022. If you do not have an open water swim under your belt in that time frame, and don't have one on the schedule. You will also have the option to do a pool swim, under the supervision of a lifeguard, for 3 miles in under 2 hours. That sign off form can be found on our main page.
1 Mile Swimmers
The 1 Mile Swim does not require a lottery. General registration will open for the 1 Mile Bay Challenge Swim on November 15th. Though there is no need to provide us documentation for this swim, please understand that you are still swimming in open water, and you should practice open water skills prior to attempting the event.
Questions? Please reach out to us at info@bayswim.com with any questions.
