2023 Safety Team Information

Our Safety Team is responsible for the safe operation of this great event and is primarily made up of amazing volunteers! The participation and support of volunteer Perimeter Motor Boats and Safety Paddlers is vital to a safe, fun race for the swimmers. We couldn’t do this event without you! Register to participate today or contact us for more information! 

Perimeter Motor Boat 

If you are interested in being a perimeter motor boat, please email us. 

Safety Paddlers

All safety paddlers must be experienced paddlers with the equipment and skills to handle Lake Superior conditions, comfortable in paddling in 3' waves, and capable of self-rescuing. 

​Race organizers reserve the right to reject a paddler or a paddler's vessel that is not suitable for Lake Superior.  

All swimmers, including the Non-Competitive Division swimmers, will be covered by the Safety Team. Non-Competitive Division swimmers no longer need to provide their own Safety Paddler however, if they are providing their own paddler, the paddler must attend the mandatory safety meeting. 

Expectations and Requirements

• Kayaks must be at least 15 feet long with double bulkheads and rudder or skeg.
• A properly fitted PFD, spray skit, bilge pump, paddle float, and the ability to use them are required.
• If accompanied by the knowledge of how to use them, a VHF Radio and towbelt are strongly encouraged.
• Kayakers are expected to be dressed for full immersion.
• Kayakers and their equipment must be competent and capable of handling the range of conditions that could be encountered on race day on 2 miles of open water on Lake Superior including rain, fog, wind up to 20 knots, and waves up to 3 feet. 
• If possible, please bring a second PFD to throw to a swimmer in trouble.

Safety Team Weekend Schedule

This is the 2023 schedule. 
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Friday

• 6:30pm Safety Team Meeting at location tbd

Saturday

• 6:00-6:30am - Paddlers drop off boats and gear
• 6:25am Paddler Zone Leader Briefing
• 6:30am Safety Paddler Meeting
• 6:45am Safety Paddler Zone Team Meetings
• 7:00 - Safety Team on water, radio check, and conditions briefing
• 7:20am - Race Start - Rolling Start Format
• 7:40am - All Swimmers in the Water
• 10:45am - Pullout (any swimmers still in the water will be pulled)
• 11:00am - Awards Ceremony at Madeline Island (Location TBD) 

Questions?

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Contact [email protected] or 715-779-5408 with questions. ​