2018 Swim Around Key West Adding 3 New Race Divisions

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Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

Training to be the first mermaid or swimmer wearing a monofin to swim around the island of Key West?

The annual Florida Keys Community College Swim Around Key West, set for Saturday, June 30, is to include three new divisions: for mermaids swimming with tails, swim enthusiasts using a monofin — a single fin for both feet used in underwater sports such as free-diving — and Special Olympics swimmers.

In the only race around Key West that’s sanctioned, insured and U.S. Coast Guard permitted, individual athletes and relay teams are to attempt epic 12.5-mile open-water swims around the island.

Swimmers wearing mermaid tails can participate in competitions ranging from 800 yards to the 20k or 12.5 miles. A separate category for fins, allowing use of either one fin on each foot or a monofin, is included for each race. Special Olympics participants can swim in each event.

Swimmers with or without fins can register in teams of two to six people or as solo competitors. The event typically attracts about 250 athletes from the U.S., Canada and other nations to compete in age groups ranging from 12 and younger to 70 and older.

The 2018 event, sanctioned by the World Open Water Swimming Association, is to begin at 9 a.m.Saturday at Smathers Beach, 2601 S. Roosevelt Blvd. on the Atlantic Ocean, with check-in between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m.

The buoy-marked, clockwise course around the island encompasses open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The finish line is at Smathers Beach.

Each swimmer or team must provide a support crew and kayak or boat for safety support. Safety lifeguards and kayaks are to be positioned throughout the course.

Swimmers who prefer a shorter challenge can participate in 800-yard, 1- and 2-mile and 10k or 6.2-mile competitions off Smathers Beach. Shorter races are scheduled sequentially, beginning at 9:15 a.m.Saturday.

Participants must register by Friday, June 29, and check in from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the FKCC pool at 5901 College Road.

Entry fees for the 12.5-mile race are $110 per solo swimmer, $180 per two-person relay team, $270 per three-person team, $360 per four-person team, $450 per five-person team and $540 per six-person team. Per-person entry for the 10k race is $75 and each shorter race is $30. Discounts of $5 to $10 are available for United States Masters Swimming and USA Swimming members.

The Swim Around Key West benefits the FKCC swim program, Key West High School swim team and the Bone Island Swim Club of Key West.

A USA Swimming–sanctioned swim meet is scheduled at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 1, at the FKCC pool.

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Florida Keys Community College Swim Around Key West. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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Abbie Fish
Abbie Fish
5 years ago

The Swim actually takes place on June 16th. http://www.oceankey.com/swim-around-key-west.aspx

D
D
5 years ago
Reply to  Abbie Fish

Abbie,

There are 2 different groups that throw similar events

What you posted is a completely different group/event.

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