Happy New Year from the SBCSA

The SBCSA Board would like to wish you and your families a healthy and Happy New Year. May the oceans always seem small compared to our family of marathon swimming friends.

Here’s to the channel swimmer
as we begin another year
may you meet your goals minus the shiver
and conquer all your fears

---

SBCSA Board members at February 2nd board meeting in Santa Barbara L to R: Jim Fitzpatrick, Scott Zornig, Lynn Kubasek, Cherie Edborg, Theo Schmeeckle, Jane Cairns, Dave Van Mouwerik, Evan Morrison and Rob Dumouchel

Evan Morrison receives honor

SBCSA board member Evan Morrison and his Santa Cruz Island swim were ranked #3 on the list of “Top Sports Stories of 2012” in Santa Barbara by Presidio Sports. Read the article here.

We are accepting applications for the 2013 season

The 2013 marathon swimming season is just a few months away. If you are interested in attempting a marathon swim with us this season, please register prior to May 1, 2013 to take advantage of lower fees and secure the date you desire. Registration and membership forms can be found on our website at santabarbarachannelswim.org. We will assign an observer to each swimmer shortly after registering. If a swimmer desires a specific observer, we will do our best to honor all requests. Please remember that the very first step in registering (after thoroughly reading and understanding all rules) is to secure a date with your desired boat/pilot prior to sending in your application. The SBCSA has added new boats so please visit our website for boat size, capacity and contact information. Please note that many of the boats will accommodate weekend crossings at no extra charge. We also have added Kayakers for hire for our out of town guests. We are anticipating another big year so please register early.

New Swim Rules and Logistical Guidelines for 2013

The SBCSA Board of Directors has undertaken a thorough revision and clarification of its swim rules and logistical guidelines. They can be viewed on the SBCSA website on the Rules page.

Some of the newly added swim rules include:

• The swimmer may not intentionally draft off either the escort boat or the support swimmer.
• The swimmer must be aged 14 years or older on the day of the swim attempt.

Relay Rules

• The relay must designate a crew leader. The crew leader is not allowed to swim.
• Each relay member shall swim for a set time period – called a “leg” – each time he or she enters the water. The team shall choose its own leg duration (recommended one hour, but no less than 30 minutes), but it must be the same for each swimmer, and must remain constant throughout the duration of the relay.
• A relay team may substitute an “alternate” in place of a core team member, provided: (a) the alternate was listed in the original application, and (b) the core member has not yet entered the water to begin a leg. No more than two alternate substitutions are allowed. (This circumstance may arise if, for example, a team member fails to show up at the dock, or a team member becomes sick or otherwise disabled on the ride to the starting point.)
• If any swimmer exits the water before his or her leg is completed, or does not enter the water when his or her leg is scheduled to begin, the relay is disqualified.
• If a relay is disqualified, the swim is over. Swimmers must exit the water immediately, and the escort boat must return to the harbor.

Some of the newly added logistical guidelines include:

• The escort boat must be large enough to accommodate the swimmer, observer(s) and support crew. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to determine the boat has sufficient capacity before booking. Keep in mind, the swimmer counts toward this capacity even if he or she is in the water.
• According to the USCG “12 Hour Rule,” a commercial boat captain may not work for more than 12 of any 24 hours at sea, except in an emergency when life or property is endangered. If the escort pilot is a commercial captain, and the swim attempt may last more than 12 hours (dock to dock), it is the swimmer’s responsibility to ensure there is a second licensed captain aboard the vessel. Note: If the escort pilot is not a commercial boat captain, this rule does not apply.
• The boat pilot must be familiar with SBCSA rules. If a pilot has not escorted a SBCSA swim before, (s)he must confirm in writing that (s)he has read and understands the rules.
• It is the swimmer’s responsibility to recruit a support crew capable of handling feedings, paddling, and other needs of the swimmer. The observer’s job is to observe only, not to act in a support capacity. If the support crew is more than two people, it is recommended to designate a crew chief.
• If the swim attempt involves San Clemente Island or San Nicolas Island, which are owned and operated by the U.S. Navy, it is the swimmer’s responsibility to secure permission from the Navy to land on the island. Written permission from the Navy must be on file with the SBCSA at least two weeks before the swim attempt. If it is not, the SBCSA will cancel the swim.

Calling All Observers

We would not be able to function if it were not for our observers. These are the people who selflessly give of their time to make sure the swimmer has a safe experience and document the swim. Please consider attending observer training in May and become an official observer. SBCSA observers receive compensation for their expenses and efforts. If you have an interest in and/or attending observing training, please contact Dave Van Mouwerik.