FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

We offer our participants the choice of 4 individual races: 1 km long distance swim 2 km long distance swim 5 km long distance swim 10 km long distance swim

No! Registrations close on 5th February 2025 or when allocated spots are filled, whichever comes first. Due to open water swimming safety regulations we will not accept more participants than is safe for us to manage. Registrations close once that target is reached.

Each participant may take part in ONLY one race per day.

There is no upper age limit for the event

If you do not have the required certification, there are two options available to you: Participate in any other event which takes place in the sea of minimum 1.5 km or 5 km respectively for the 5 km and 10 km certification requirement. A full distance triathlon with a sea swim also provides the necessary certificate for participation in the 10 km race. Contact The Goa Open Water Swimming Club on +91 9834009511 or goaowsclub@gmail.com - They have options of long distance swims as well as OWS camps. Certification by the club is valid for registration.

There are specific finish cut-off timings for each race. Results will be official once the Head Referee signs them. Incomplete results can be declared official at any time; and results will include the following: Swimmers who do not finish the competition (DNF) Not making the cut-off time (DNQ) Those who are disqualified (DQ) Swimmers which did not start (DNS) * Final results will be listed for DNQ swimmers – however, they will receive participation certificates only. DNF swimmers will be listed on the result page as DNF. For DQ swimmers, the final results will not be displayed.

Requests to switch between races will be entertained till 5th February 2025 and must be submitted via e-mail ONLY. Kindly note that switching to a longer distance race will require the difference in registration cost to be paid via bank transfer. The difference in registration cost when switching to a shorter distance race will be refunded. All requests submitted after 5th January 2025 will incur a convenience fee of Rs 300 per registration to process the same.

Like most coastal cities, the weather in Goa is controlled by the sea, it’s never too hot nor too cold, early morning land temperatures in February hovers between 25-29 degrees Celsius, the water rarely gets cooler than 25-26 degrees Celsius.

As long as participants maintain a reasonable level of fitness and follow the event rules, open water swimming is a pleasurable and enriching experience. To ensure a higher level of safety for both the individual swimmer as well as the entire participating group, the longer distance swims require prior certification as mentioned above. On race day, the organizers have all possible rescue equipment like jet skis, motor boats, trained lifeguards and doctors on the site. Primary concerns are sunburn and dehydration. But notwithstanding the above, regular precautions taken during any open water swim need to be maintained: No swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs, obey lifeguards’ instructions completely and immediately, use a proper sunscreen, and try to get acclimated to the environment before the event.

The only significant marine life to be cautious about in our waters is jellyfish. There are over 200 species of jellyfish in the world - however, the moon jellyfish is the predominant species in the waters off the coast of Goa. Moon jellyfish are mildly venomous and the sting is usually mild with most people developing a slight reaction to it. We advise swimmers to smear themselves with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or coconut oil and to wear full length swimwear (extending to wrists and ankles) to reduce the chance of jellyfish stings. On the rare occasion that the presence of dangerously venomous jellyfish is reported, the organizers will take necessary action to ensure safety of all concerned.

The swimathon will be conducted during neap tide (lunar period where the tidal variation is not too strong). However like all open water races other factors also play an important role in swimmer’s comfort, factors like wind, currents and weather influence the above. The organizers will take the utmost care to provide a clean and safe swimming environment to all participants.

Due to changing weather patterns, the water temperature in Goa during February is likely to reach close to 27 degrees centigrade. Wearing a wetsuit at these temperatures will cause the individual to heat up and dehydrate rapidly, thereby greatly increasing the chances of a medical emergency. Hence, keeping our participant's safety in mind, we will not allow the use of wetsuits at The Goa Swimathon. We do, however, advise swimmers to smear themselves with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or coconut oil and to wear full length swimwear (extending to wrists and ankles) to reduce the chance of jellyfish stings.

Yes! The Goa Open Water Swimming Club conducts open water swims every Sunday morning. For further details, please contact them on +91 9834009511 . You can also check this link - http://www.active.com/swimming/articles/6-tips-to-help-transition-from-the-pool-to-open-water-883425

Feel free to use any forward facing style you are comfortable with (backstroke not allowed). Tip: freestyle sighting can be a problem, hence we recommend all freestyle swimmers to look straight ahead for a bearing once every 10 strokes or so.

Yes, you can rest at any point in the race by holding onto a rescue board. If at any time you feel tired, please signal the closest support crew and they will immediately assist you

The use of swimming aids such as snorkel/mask and/or fins is not allowed at the event and is potentially a threat to other swimmers in the water. While we do not recommend the use of personal tow float for the 5 km and 10 km races, we will allow use of the same if the swimmer wishes to do so.

The first three winners in each race and age category will receive trophies. There are no cash prizes at the event.

E-certificates will be available to all participants who successfully complete the course within the cut-off timings. Provisional timings will be sent to each participant via SMS within 4 hours of final completion of the race. Provisional timings will be available on the Enduro Sports Goa website (www.endurosportsgoa.com) 48 hrs after completion of the race. Any grievances/contests will need to be submitted via email ONLY to endurosportsgoa@gmail.com within 48 hrs of online display of provisional timings. No grievances/contests will be accepted after this time period. The decision of the organizers/race officials shall be final and binding.

The distance of the event location from the major airports, train stations and bus stands are as follows: Airports: Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX) - 38 km Goa International Airport, Dabolim (GOI) - 29 km Train stations: Karmali - 18 km Margao - 37 km Tivim - 28 km Bus stand: Panaji KTC - 7 km