8k & GRAND SLAM RACE DAY INFORMATION

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RACE MORNING IT WILL BE DARK! Look for blinking lights at the turn off.
SHUTTLES: 5:20 & 5:50 AM at Boulder Beach. The awesome folks from Desert Adventures will be shuttling  to the 8k Start. They will pick up near the race start / tents at Boulder Beach.  (no kayak transport) 

5:30 am  Volunteers will be at the Sunset overlook ready to check you in. Your kayak must have a race number on it. Final check in time is 6:20 am allowing ample time to get down the path and into the water.

We recommend that you have a 3rd party drop you and your kayak Sunset Overlook, then park at Boulder Beach. There is no post race shuttle service,  don't leave your car at Sunset View Scenic Overlook!

KAYAK RENTALS
Pre-reserved rental kayaks from Kayak Las Vegas will be at the Sunset Overlook, 5:30 a.m. After you pick up your kayak, affix race number and line up on sidewalk before heading down to the waters edge. The safety briefing will be done in groups of 10-15. You will be checked in with a volunteer as you head to the water. Please be sure your contact information is updated.
KAYAKERS: Please affix the swimmer race number to the front left side of your boat, visible to our safety staff. 

Tips & Tricks & Warnings

-The BEST bathroom facility in the area (for those driving from Las Vegas, is the McDonald's heading toward Boulder City.

-The BEST bathroom facility in the PARK is at the Boulder Beach turnoff. (There are porto-potties at the 8k start, but could be lines and dark. Plan ahead!)

-It's a desert out here! Even though you're in the water, plan to start hydrating at least 3 days before. Drink water water water. If during the swim you notice you're not releasing fluid every 30-40 min, drink more!

-Plan to feed or every 30-40 min. Keep it short and don't litter.

-Tie a rope around the water bottle and attach to the paddler. When you finish your drink, drop the bottle so the paddler can pick it up for you.

-Freezing at least one water bottle ahead of time will keep it cool and will melt towards the last 2 miles of the swim.

-Zinc oxide is your friend! Just don't cover your race # with it!


COURSE MAPS

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Click map to download a printable PDF.

Kayaker Pack List:
Personal Flotation Device -must be worn at all times.
Whistle (provided)
Comfortable clothing, hat, sunglasses
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen
Snacks & Drinks
Phone
Keys
Dry bag for phone

Things To Consider

  • At 5:30 a.m. it is still dark, be kind & friendly.
  • Swimmers: You will get race tattoos the night before. Please be gentle with them.
  • Sunscreen is your friend!
  • Wear shoes until you are in the water.
  • Do not enter the water until daylight.
  • Pre-Race meeting is at 6:20, in the parking lot. After the short briefings, you will be sent down to the water in groups of 10-15.
  • It is a wading start at the buoy lines.
  • You may hold on to your Kayaker until the horn starts.
  • We reserve the right to refuse entry on the course for unsportsmanlike conduct, if you are sick, injured, intoxicated.
  • If you miss a cut off, you will be DQ'd and asked to get in the safety boat. The course will close at the 2m mark and at boulder harbor.
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THE 8K COURSE


  • Wading start between the green buoys.
  • Exit the cove and turn right.
  • Your next turn is approximately 2 miles, turn RIGHT at that triangle buoy. (This is the top of Saddle Island, know your landmarks.)
  • Site off of the next triangle buoy you see. 
  • Be mindful of BOULDER HARBOR, this area is open to boat traffic. Kayaks, stay close to your swimmer.
  • Turn Left at this TRIANGLE buoy, and head to the large turn buoy. keeping the other buoys on your right shoulder. You are now on the back end of the 1.2 mile course.
  • You will turn RIGHT when you see the finish shoot. Do not cut the course.
  • Your time ends when you stand up and cross the finish flags.
  • 8k Swimmers will get a finisher time and are welcome to have lunch.
    • Grand Slam Swimmers, check in with the volunteer in the finish shoot, be back and ready to go at 9:45!
    • If you opt not to swim the 1.2, you must tell a volunteer in the finish shoot. All swimmers & paddlers need to be accounted for.

OTHER DETAILS:

Volunteer paddlers (coordinated by the race director) will be contacted separately to reach their swimmer and set up a meeting place in the morning. If you do not find your paddler, ask a volunteer at the tent for assistance.

Wind and chop can become a factor at the lake at any time, especially after 10 am. Be comfortable sighting and breathing on both sides.
Kayakers may continue to escort you but should stay on the outside (lake side) of the buoys and watch for other swimmers.

Paddlers are to remain on the left side of the swimmer for the safety of all participants. Failure to do so will result in a warning or expulsion from the race.

Course closes at 11:00, if you are still in the water at that time, you will be pulled.


CUT OFF TIMES:
4 hours, 7 am start, 8k=5 miles=8800 yards, 240 minutes

240/88 = 2.72 = 2 minutes 43 secs per 100 yds

1st turn heading south around N saddle island = 4000 yds =108.70 min = 1 hour 49 min = about 8:50 am

2nd  turn at N saddle island to swim parallel = 5100 yds =138.72 min = 2 hours 18 min = about 9:20 am

3rd turn at boulder harbor = 7400 yards = 201.28 min = 3 hours 21 min = about 10:20 am

4th turn onto 1.2/2.4 mile course @ 60” buoy = 7700 yards = 209.44 min = 3 hours 30 min = 10:30 am

LOCATION

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View from the water looking up.
The kayak will need to be carried 1/4 mile down a dirt path to the swim start.   Please allow ample time to check-in, unload your kayak/gear and get you and your swimmer down to the waters edge. Parking is extremely limited and we advise you to coordinate with other swimmers to carpool from Boulder Beach OR park at Boulder Beach and take the shuttle.

CUT OFF TIMES: see map for course closures and cut off times. We are required to close the course, it's nothing personal. If you are pulled, please be kind to your boater. They will deposit you back at Boulder Beach, do not cross the finish line, but tell the volunteers you were pulled.

DRY BAG: If you need a dry bag transported to the finish line, we will provide one for you. You can pick it up at the registration tent after you finish. Please do not include valuables.

FOR THE PADDLER

The swimmer's safety is in your hands once you leave the shore!
-Please review the course!

-Please bring a cellphone in a dry bag. (Ziplocks will be available.)

-Snacks, drinks, hat etc, whatever you need to be comfortable for a few hours.

-Stay on the outside of the swimmer (left side).

-The swimmer is not allowed to draft off you. (could result in DQ)

-Please monitor your swimmer, if they become ill help them to shore and call for rescue. Numbers will be provided with the safety kit.

-You will be responsible for their hydration/nutrition.  Plan to coordinate this prior to the race.

-If you are paddling for your significant other, bless your heart. Speaking from experience, things may get a little heated between you and your "other". You may want to strangle each other. Just understand that they are low in the water and can not see what you see. Use your words. Be kind. Be firm. Under no circumstances should you leave them on alone the course.


Miscellaneous Details


RACE START: The Sunset overlook is approx 10 miles from the Henderson entrance and approx 8 miles from the Lake Mead entrance on Lakeshore Dr inside Lake Mead NRA. We will have a flashing light set up at the entrance. It's DARK that time of morning, so we suggest you check it out the day before so you know where you're going.

WEATHER: Search Boulder City NV

SPECTATORS: Not a lot to see at Sunset View, have friends and family bring shade tents, chairs over to Boulder Beach and enjoy the lake.