THE GOA SWIMATHON 2024
7 am - 8.45 am | Pre-event orientation swims by The Goa Open Water Swimming Club (not mandatory for participation - pre-booking required) |
4 pm - 6.45 pm | Pre-event orientation swims by The Goa Open Water Swimming Club (not mandatory for participation - pre-booking required) |
5 pm - 7.30 pm | Athlete check-in + race kit collection at Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias, Miramar |
6 a.m.–7 am | 5 km, 10 km, and mixed relay swimathon: attendance and arm marking |
7.15 a.m.–7.30 a.m. | Line up of 5 km and 10 km swimathon participants on the beach + race briefing |
7.30 am | 5 km and 10 km swimathon flag off |
7.35 a.m.–7.50 a.m. | Line up of mixed relay swimathon participants on the beach |
7.50 a.m. | Mixed relay swimathon flag-off |
11.05 am | Cut-off time for mixed relay swimathon |
11.15 a.m. | Cut-off time for 5 km swimathon |
12.30 p.m. | Award ceremony on the beach |
1.30 p.m. | Cut-off time for 10 km swimathon |
4 pm–6.45 pm | Pre-event orientation swims by The Goa Open Water Swimming Club (not mandatory for participation; pre-booking required) |
5 p.m.–7.30 p.m. | Athlete check-in and race kit collection at Clube Tennis De Gaspar Dias, Miramar |
6 am–7 am | 1 km swimathon: attendance and arm marking |
6.30 am–8 am | 2 km swimathon: attendance and arm marking |
7 - 10 am | 250-meter sprint: attendance and arm marking |
7.15 a.m.–7.30 a.m. | Line-up of 1 km swimathon participants on the beach + race briefing |
7.30 am | 1 km swimathon (sub-juniors and juniors) flag-off |
7.35 am | 1 km swimathon (masters, seniors and veterans) flag-off |
8.20 a.m.–8.25 a.m. | Cut-off time for 1 km swimathon |
8.30 a.m.–8.40 a.m. | Line-up of 2 km swimathon participants on the beach |
8.40 am | 2 km swimathon (sub-juniors and juniors) flag-off |
8.45 am | 2 km swimathon (masters, seniors and veterans) flag-off |
10 a.m.–10.05 a.m. | Cut-off time for 2 km swimathon |
10.30 a.m. | Line-up of 250-meter sprint participants on the beach + race briefing |
10.40 a.m. | 250-meter sprint flag off |
11.15 a.m. | Award ceremony |
Timings and venues are subject to change based on weather patterns, government advisories and other prevailing conditions.
We offer our participants the choice of the mixed team relay (1.5 km x 3) as well as 5 individual races:
- 250 m sprint swim
- 1 km long distance swim
- 2 km long distance swim
- 5 km long distance swim
- 10 km long distance swim
- Early bird offer (12.5% discount): open to the first 3 registrations in the mixed team relay, the first 5 registrations in the 10 km and the first 25 registrations in each of the other races
- Groups of 5 or more swimmers (10% discount): kindly contact us at endurosportsgoa@gmail.com
- Winners of The Goa Swimathon 2023 (25% discount, valid until December 31, 2023)
- Uniformed forces (serving and retired) and Health Care Workers (10% discount): kindly contact us at endurosportsgoa@gmail.com
- Differently abled swimmers (20% discount): kindly contact us at endurosportsgoa@gmail.com
No! Registrations close on 15th January 2024 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 long distance race per day. Those interested may participate in a long distance race as well as the 250 m sprint - however, the participant must ensure they complete the long distance race before the race briefing of the sprint.
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 15th January 2024 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 1st January 2024 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 January 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 the beginning of 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 style you are comfortable with. 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.
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 30 minutes of 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 is 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
Swimming at Caranzalem is a complete open water experience as the waters are almost directly open to the Arabian sea unlike the protected bay waters at Bambolim. The visibility at Caranzalem is superior to that of Bambolim and swimmers can enjoy the feeling of larger surf.
- Applicants must submit their entries only via the website/ticketing site. No individual/group is authorized to collect entries on behalf of The Goa Swimathon. Registrations close on 15th January 2024, or until all available slots are filled, whichever comes first.
- Each participant may take part in only one long-distance race per day. Those interested may participate in a long-distance race as well as the 250 m sprint; however, the participant must ensure they complete the long-distance race before the race briefing of the sprint.
- Participation in the event is subject to entry confirmation via email to the address provided in the registration form. A confirmed athlete’s identity and proof of age will be verified with the details provided in the registration form. Where any information and/or any document provided by a participant at any point in time prior to the race is found to be falsified, the participation of the said athlete shall be withheld for a period of 14 days until a reasonable explanation for the same can be provided by the athlete. If the athlete is unable to provide a reasonable explanation within the 14 day period, the registration will be cancelled with no refund of registration fees.
- The registration form, the right to participate in the event, and the rights and benefits available to the participant is at the sole discretion of Enduro Sports Goa. The actual participant alone shall be entitled to the rights and benefits arising out of such confirmation of participation. The registration cannot be transferred to any other person or event unless approved in writing by Enduro Sports Goa. Registrations will not be deferred or carried forward to a future event, except in the case of event cancellation.
- Anyone under the age of 18 years requires the event indemnity form to be signed by a parent/guardian. If the parents are unable to attend the event, the chosen guardian must provide a signed letter of authority from the parents of the athlete, along with photo ID proof of the parent and the guardian attached. Failure to provide the above mentioned documents will result in immediate disqualification of the athlete from the event.
- There is no upper age limit restriction for participation in The Goa Swimathon 2024. The minimum age limit for each race is determined as of 31.01.2024 and is as follows:
All individual race categories are gender segregated and open for any athlete within the specified age limit for the respective race and fulfilling eligibility criteria. Three men’s and three women’s winners will be declared in the age group category for each race. Winners will receive trophies only.
The mixed team relay must have both male and female team members. There are no further age based categories for the teams. The first three teams to finish will be declared winners and will receive trophies only.
Requests to switch between races will be entertained till 15th January 2024 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 1st January 2024 will incur a convenience fee of Rs 300 per registration to process the same.
Withdrawal requests must be received through the withdrawal form below during the following time frames in order to be eligible for a partial refund (excluding processing charges):
22nd October 2023–30th November 2023 : 100% refund of the entry fee
1st December 2023–31st December 2023 : 50% refund of the entry fee
1st January 2024–15th January 2024 : 25% refund of the entry fee
16th January 2024 onwards : No refund
In the unfortunate circumstance of event cancellation by Enduro Sports Goa due to unavoidable circumstances, refunds of registrations will be as follows:
Prior to January 16, 2024 : 80% refund of entry fee
16th January 2024 and onwards : 50% refund of entry fee
Refunds will be processed within 7–10 working days after the completion of the event.