Event Rules & Participation Agreement
Please ensure you have read both the Event Rules and Participation Agreement before entering.
Event Rules
Wetsuits are compulsory. These must be at least 1.5mm thick and cover the torso with full length legs.
All wetsuits must be treated for didymo at registration, this will involve the suit being dunked.
All swimmers must be present at the appropriate safety briefing and swim the course as instructed.
All swimmers must start the swim within the designated area.
After the safety briefing, all swimmers must enter the water through the start chute prior to heading to beach start. Participant must swipe their timing chip on the timing mats to give us an accurate record of the exact swimmers in the water.
Each swimmer must wear the cap provided in the gear bag. If more than one swim cap is being worn then the event cap must be worn on the outside.
Swim paddles and fins are NOT permitted.
Swimmers must be at least 10 years old on the day of the event for the 1km and 2km distance and 12 years old on the day of the event for the 4.2km distance. Changes to this rule are at the discretion of the Event Director.
Swimmers must be physically fit and medically able to swim this event without assistance. There is a cut off time at half way of 60 minutes. You must get out of the water if directed by a race official. No debate.
4.2km event swimmers age 14 and under on the day of the event must have their own kayak support that stays within sight of the swimmer at all times.
Support Kayakers must be at least 16 years old on the day of the event.
Support Kayakers must wear as a minimum a suitable kayaking open water lifejacket that fits, be able to handle a kayak in rough lake conditions and self rescue if tipped out. Note: Boating lifejackets and inflatable lifejackets are not suitable.
Support Kayaker’s kayaks must be suitable for rough lake conditions.
Support kayakers must have a whistle to hand. We recommend if possible a cell phone stored in a waterproof bag with event Organisers numbers pre-loaded.
Support kayakers must attend the event briefing on the morning of the event at boat ramp of Little Acacia Bay. After the safety briefing kayakers are to paddle to the swimmers start and wait 200m offshore for their swimmer to come to them.
Purposely obstructing or impeding the progress of other swimmers in the field is prohibited.
Entry is at your own risk and all swimmers must be registered and have an official number ID on their official swim cap.
Entry is open to any swimmer who is confident in deep water and considers themselves capable of safely completing the swim in allocated time. You are responsible for deciding whether the swim is within your capabilities, with the conditions on the day and that you are fit and well enough to attempt the swim.
All swimmers and kayakers must obey all instructions from the course Marshalls and Event Director.
In the event of a withdraw, please alert a clearly marked event official. Timing chips need to be returned to indicate the withdrawal and to ensure your safety we must account for all swimmers.
If you get into difficulty while swimming, raise your arm above your head to attract the attention of a kayaker. If it is not possible to raise your hand, simply roll onto your back to float in a relaxed position. Event kayakers will assess the situation and signal for a boat if you need more than encouragement.
Participation in this event is at the discretion of the Event Director who reserves the right to reject or withdraw any swimmer.
The Event Director's decision is final
Participation Agreement
Please read carefully before agreeing
This agreement must be Agreed to (If purchasing ticket online). This agreement must be signed by all swimmers and all support kayakers.
I have read and agree to abide by the ACROSS THE LAKE SWIM RULES FOR EVENT refer EVENT RULES (above).
I understand that this activity involves open water swimming, which is potentially dangerous. I agree that my participation in this event is entirely and knowingly at my own personal risk and I am solely responsible for my own safety and property. I am aware the hazards include, but are not limited to, the condition of my equipment, actions of other competitors, spectators, the organiser and officials, landowners, members of the public, weather conditions, lake temperament and water temperature, and all features encountered on the course.
I certify I am physically fit and have trained sufficiently for participation in this event.
There is no medical reason why I should not enter this event.
I shall not take part in this event under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
I hereby give consent to receive medical treatment which may be deemed necessary in the event of injury, accident and/or illness during the event.
I, for myself and my heirs and executors, hereby waive, release and forever discharge the Across the Lake Swim, Lake Taupo Rotary, Taupo District Council, Lake Taupo Waters Trust, Lake Taupo Harbour Master, land owners/managers, sponsors, promoters, and each of their agents, representatives, successors and assigns, and all other persons associated with the event, for all my liabilities, claims, actions, or damages that I may have against them arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in this event.
I hereby grant full permission to any and all of the above parties to use any photographs, videos, motion pictures, website images, recordings or any other record of this event.
FORCE MAJURE: Lake Taupo Rotary reserves the right to delay the event, alter the advertised course, or start time or cancel the event if conditions warrant. They will make every possible effort to ensure this event takes place. However there will be no refunds given if the event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Lake Taupo Rotary. These circumstances include without limitation; lake conditions, fires, flood, storms, explosion, acts of God, war, governmental actions or non performance by third parties.
NOTE!
Parents or legal Guardians must agree on behalf of any persons 18 years or less.