Thursday, May 31, 2012

How To Plan an Open Water Swimming Event


GENERIC PLANNING TIMELINE  FOR EVENT DIRECTORS
This timeline is for an event in July.

JANUARY
            Decide on the event date.
Confirm entry fees.
Complete Paper Entry. Update previous year’s paper entry form.
Submit Paper Entry  for online registration functionality.
Request Sanction Number as needed.
Make Sure Key People are on Board.
                                Event Director                                                                  
                                Assistant Event Director              
                                Safety Director                               
                                Assistant Safety Director             
                                Pavilion Director                             
                                Food Director                                  
                                Charitable Funds Director           
FEBRUARY
                Submit Special Event Form from Parks Department.
                Submit Coast Guard Request for Special Activity Permit.          
                Sign up electronic timing.
                Post event on key Websites
                Get Electronic Networking Going
                Sketch Preliminary Course Map
                Review Safety Plan for Changes .
MARCH
                Open Online Entry
               Pick T-shirt design.
   Make Sure Other Key People are on Board
                Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat
                Event Sponsor                          
                             Reserve loudspeaker
 APRIL
                Request Gift Cards from Sponsors.
                Request swim-caps from Sponsors
                Follow-up on people and permit issues.
                Put out a request for volunteers.
 MAY
                Request medals/ribbons.
                Follow-up on people and permit issues.
    Permit fee to Parks Department
                Keep pressing for volunteers
                Check buoys and replace as needed. Make sure they are good for another year.
 JUNE
                Make sure key people have everything they need.
                Stay on open issues: permits/volunteers/other
                Insurance Certificate to Parks Department
                Line up photographer for newsletter.
                Finalize course map with GPS coordinates
                Get a commitment from Lifeguards
                Mail paper entries to people who do not have computers.
                Make sure the kayakers are on board.
 JULY
                Meet with key people. Determine open issues.
Check Supplies
                                Stop Watches
                                Clip Boards
                                Dry Erase Board
                                Dry Erase Pens
                                Pens for writing numbers on arms
                                Writing Pens
                                Duct tape
                                Extension cords
                                Blankets for hypothermia
                Check-in Signs
                T-shirts/sweatshirts/towels for significant donors

WEEK OF EVENT
                Close Entries Tuesday Night
                Assign swimmer numbers to each swimmer.
                Determine heats
                Email event spreadsheet to electronic timing company Wednesday night.
                Email each registered swimmer Thursday night
                                Course Map
                                Safety Plan
                                Weather link
                                Water Quality Link
                                “Thank you for registering…”
                Friday - Print:
                                Each Distance: Check-in lists in Alpha Sequence
                                T-shirt sizes
                                Cash for lifeguards
                                Swimmer Number Sequence for electronic timing company
                                Emergency Contacts for Safety Director plus significant medical conditions.
WEEK AFTER EVENT
                Post Results on website.
                Notify swimmers that results have been posted.
                Deal with loose ends.
AUGUST
                Thank you’s to volunteers and other contributors.

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