Jordan Lake Open Water Challenge

Location and directions:
The race site is at Vista Point Family Campground on Jordan Lake.  The address is 3199 North Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312.  If you use mapping software please enter “Vista Point Family Campground, 3199 North Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro NC 27312.” 
 
Coming from Raleigh area – take US64 West over the lake.  Turn left (south) on Seaforth.  After 2 miles you will intersect North Pea Ridge Road.  Turn left (south) and enter the park and then drive all the way down to the large parking lot/boat launch area.
 
Coming from Chapel Hill area – Take 15/501 south to Mt Gilead Church Road and turn left (south).  At US64 continue straight, as Mt Gilead Church road turns into N Pea Ridge Rd.  Drive into the park and all the way to the large parking lot.
 
Please note: There is another Pea Ridge road on the south side of the lake and a few people always get lost over that way.  We won’t be there!

The last day to sign up is May 01. No race day/onsite registration is available.
 
Parking:
Park in the large lot near the start area or the adjacent shelter lot.  We will have volunteer parking attendants directing you.  Your parking fee was included with your entry fee.  However, if you or your friends and family arrive after 730AM you will have to pay a $6 park entry fee (it is cash only at Vista Point).  If you’re competing, please arrive no later than 715 to get your stuff and get situated.

Please do not park on the side of the road anywhere within the park boundaries.  You could block emergency vehicles and will be towed.
 
Packet pick up:
We will have the packet pick up area adjacent to the parking lot in the grassy field near the beach/sailboat launching area (not at the shelter as in years past).  We will start at ~645AM.
 
T-shirts:
Event t-shirts are guaranteed to swimmers who sign up by April 26, 2020.  You must be present to pick up your t-shirt.

Course and Map:
Here is the course map: www.triangleopenwater.com/2016/may8swim.png . This is a trianguler, clockwise swim. We will start at the boat docks this season, with an in-water start.  All right-shoulder turns. All buoys must be on your right side, including the interim sighting buoys. This minimizes cross-traffic issues with the 0.6 mile swimmers.
 
0.6 milers: swim to the interim marker buoys and return (half of the 1.2 mile course)
1.2 milers: swim 1 loop and get out then cross the timing mat.
2.4 milers: swim 2 loops.  You don’t get out of the water at any point.  At the buoy nearest the finish area you do a right shoulder turn and then head back out onto the course for loop #2.  At the end, get out and run/walk up the boat ramp cross the timing mat. We will have drinks available at the dock if you need a drink.
 
Start/finish description:
We will start in overhead depth water lined up with the boat dock.  To finish you will need to exit the water and run/walk up the boat ramp to cross the timing mat.
 
Safety:
We will have a number of kayakers, paddleboarders, and lifeguards out on the course.  You may stop and take a break at a kayak/board as needed.  Please give these folks a shout or wave if you are having any problems at any point.  They are there to help you. We also have professional emergency water rescue crews on the water in case you need to leave the water, and EMS on land.

Weather Policy:
In the case of inclement weather, we will delay the swim start up to 45 minutes. We will only cancel the swim if absolutely necessary for the safety of the swimmers.  No refunds or transfers will be issued in case of cancellation due to weather.
 
Timing chips:
We are using reusable timing chips. Please return the timing chip to event staff after you cross the finish line.
 
Wetsuits & water temps:
For our swims, wetsuits are permitted when the temperature is below 78 degrees, and not permitted at 78 and above. The usual early May water temperature is in the high 60s or low 70s.   You can keep track of Jordan Lake water temps here: http://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/bejrept.txt.

Swim Safey Device:
If you are a newer or nervous open water swimmer, we will allow you to use the Swim Safety Device. This is not a pull buoy. Visit this link. If you choose to use one, please start at the back of your wave.

Tranfer and refund policy:
No refunds or transfers for this event.

Warming up: 
You may warm up as much as you’d like, but please keep it near the start/finish area.  We will have a couple kayakers out by 745AM to watch out for you, but the main fleet doesn’t launch ‘till the race gets going.
 Age limits

You must be 10+ to compete in the .6 miler, 12 or older to compete in the 1 mile swims and 14 or older to compete in the 2 mile swims.

Start waves:
As close as we can get to:
8:00 All 2.4 milers
8:06 All 1.2 milers
8:12 All 0.6 milers
 
Awards:

For the 0.6 milers: top ten overall men and women

For the 1.2 and 2.4 milers: Top 3 overall men / women, top male/female master (over 40), and top 3 in each 5 year age group (15-19, 20-24, etc).  No duplication of awards.  We will run the 1.2 awards a bit before the 2.4 awards, but don’t make any promises on the exact time other than to say, as soon as we can.  You must be present to receive your award. We don't mail them out. 
 
New to open water/wetsuits?
If you are new / first timer in an open water event, we suggest you check out the open water training clinics hosted by event sponsor One Step Beyond.
 
If you have never swum in a wetsuit before and plan to at the race, we even more strongly suggest you take it to your local pool as soon as possible and swim a few laps in it.  Wetsuits take some getting used to and your first time should not be in a race situation.
 
Race briefing:
We will hold the race briefing and course description meeting at 745 AM at the boat docks at the start/ finish line area.  After this meeting you will have a few more minutes to warm up should you choose.
 
Post-race food:
We will have bread from Great Harvest Bread, PB and J, bananas, assorted cookies, and drinks.