2026 Race RULES PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Frederiksted Beach Start

Due to a US Naval ship being docked at the pier, this year's Sea Swim will begin at Frederiksted Beach, just to the north of the pier, at the base of the fort. Please read the race rules below carefully.

PRIOR TO THE START

Race registration will begin at 9:30 am at the Rhythms at Rainbow Beach. The Race will start from Frederiksted Beach at 11:00 am.
Shuttle service will be provided from Rainbow to Frederiksted Beach from 10:00 am to 10:30 am.
All pre-registered swimmers should report directly to Rainbow for markings no later than 10:20 am.
You must swim in the category you selected when you registered (i.e. assisted or not assisted).
Official swim caps distributed in the “goodie” bag must be worn during the race.
There will be a race talk 15 minutes prior to the start, a 5-minute, and a 1-minute verbal warning prior to the start of the race. Race start will be indicated by conch shell.
We will have a staggered start from the beach –Swimmers in the unassisted category will start first, and swimmers in the assisted category will follow 2 minutes later. Race start will be indicated by the sounding of a conch shell. Please take care and use caution during the start, as this is a mass start

DURING THE SWIM

There will be a total of three Triangle buoys on the course. The first will be a large yellow triangle buoy. You must keep this buoy on your right.
The intermediate buoy will be a large Yellow Triangular SIGHTING BUOY, which means it is there only to guide you on the course. You may swim on EITHER SIDE of this buoy.
The Red Buoy on the course marks your final turn towards the beach and the finish line. You must keep this buoy on your right!
The finish will be marked by floats leading to a red finish archway.
There will be kayaks in the water for safety. If you are having trouble, stop and wave your cap to signal that you need assistance, and they will come to you. If you need to drop out of the race for any reason, please report to Race Officials at the finish area as soon as possible.

AT THE FINISH

· Swimmers must cross the finish line under the arch to have an official time.
· Each swimmer will receive a numbered tongue depressor as they cross the finish line. This will designate your overall place of finish. Proceed directly to the finish table to record your place.

Avoid Disqualification

Swimmers who do not follow the course and take the buoys as indicated will be disqualified.
Swimmers with an escort/parent cannot be carried or pulled by the escort/parent during the swim. This will result in disqualification.
Swimmers who touch/hang on to/get on any of the support boats, kayaks, paddleboards are considered to have received assistance. This means their race is finished. They must check in at the finisher’s table as soon as possible.

After the Race

Lunch will be served on the beach after the event. Your lunch ticket is in your goodie bag.· Awards will be distributed after all swimmers have finished and times have been recorded.

Awards

The top 3 male and female finishers in each age group category will receive an award.

Mother/child and Father/child “teams” that formed at the time of registration are eligible for awards based on their combined times.

This applies to unassisted family members.

Parent/Child team “assisted” that formed at the time a registration is eligible for awards based on their combined times.

The top male and female “unassisted” swimmers will receive jewelry from Joyia-Inspirational Jewelry as well as a jet ski rental from West End Watersports.

· All first-place winners of each category will receive a Frescos Kitchen & Pub House Gift Certificate.