Race Information 2014 PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: If you have any questions after reading this information pack, please ask you teacher for help and they will contact us if they need further assistance. We will have over 1000 competitors in 2014 from over 60 schools, and hence will only be able to have direct contact with teachers due to the sheer volume of entries. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Race Information ORDER OF THE EVENT The competitors will swim first followed by the run. This event is like a triathlon but without the bike phase. AGE CATEGORIES AND DISTANCES Category (boys and girls separately) Swim (25m pool) Run (approx..) A-Year 3 50m(two lengths) 500m B-Year 4 50m(two lengths) 750m C-Year 5 100m(four lengths) 1000m D-Year 6 100m(four lengths) 1250m E-Year 7 150m(six lengths) 1500m F-Year 8 200m(eight lengths) 2000m Children compete in their correct age group by birth this will automatically register when you enter online. SWIMMING PHASE The indoor pool is 25m long. Children will be started at 10 second intervals into the pool. Swimming caps must be worn. There will be marshals to help the competitors put on their swimming caps. Tumble turns are not allowed, competitors must touch the end of the pool when turning at the end of each length or they will be disqualified. Competitors must swim on their front, no backstroke due to health and safety reasons. Most children swim front crawl as this is their fastest stroke. TRANSITION The transition between the swim and run is timed. Make sure your competitors have practiced changing quickly a race can be won or lost during the transition. The competitors will be timed from when they are released into the pool to when they cross the finish line at the end of the run. Parents and teachers are not allowed in the transition area after the race has started. RUNNING PHASE The run is on grass and is mostly flat. The course is post and taped within the grounds of the school venue. Trainers must be worn for the run. No studs or spikes. RESULTS Results will be announced at the end of the event and will be available online within 12 hours of the event finishing.
CHIP TIMING SYSTEM Each competitor will wear an ankle band which will electronically time them from entering the pool to finishing the run. Individual timings for the event will be available online within 12 hours of the event finishing. CLOTHING Girls must wear a full piece swimsuit, boys must wear proper swimming trunks long baggy surfing style board shorts are not permitted. All competitors must wear a t-shirt/vest and shorts for the run, unless they are wearing a tri-suit. Please note that female competitors are not allowed to wear lycra shorts under a swim suit to ʻcreateʼ a one piece. Marshals will check clothing at the start of the race, please avoid disqualification by adhering to the rules. No nipples must be on show for the run. Boys are allowed to wear their long tight swimming shorts for the run as long as they exceed more than five inches down the inside leg measurement. Remember to attach numbers (provided at registration) to running top before putting clothing in the transition area. Race belts must be worn over tri-suits, or safety pins attaching the numbers onto t-shirts if no tri-suit. Please bring your own safety pins. RUNNING ORDER This will be emailed to the teachers two days before the event. The race will be run continuously with no breaks between each year group. If you miss your start time you will not be allowed to race. Marshals will collect each year group from the changing rooms and direct the competitors to the poolside. RACE MOMENTOS, MEDALS & SHIELD FOR THE QUALIFYING ROUNDS All finishers will be awarded a medal after they have crossed the finish line. Safety pins, water bottles, wristbands and swimming hats will be available to buy in the registration area. Individual gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the first three competitors in each age category and separately for boys and girls. A cup will be awarded to the best overall school (to qualify for this the school must have entered at least three competitors in the same category). NATIONAL FINALS The top fifteen competitors in each category at each qualifying round will qualify for the National Schools Aquathlon Finals held on 7th June 2014 at Haileybury School, Hertfordshire. RACE FEES Schools Aquathlon is a ʻnot for profitʼ initiative. Due to the cost of putting on an event of this nature, it costs 15.80 per competitor to enter this event. This includes a 1 contribution to St.Johnʼs Ambulance per competitor. Please make sure you have read our race rules, terms and conditions. EVENT SCHEDULE These timings are for the venues Caterham, Priory & Haileybury. St Edwards timings are TBC. They are unlikely to change, although they will be confirmed on this page seven days before the event. Schedule for the finals can be viewed on the finals 2014 information page. 9am Arrival, please follow marshalʼs instructions 9.00am Race registration 10.10am Transition closes (no access after this time except when competitors are racing) 10.15am sharp Race briefing all competitors and teachers/parents/guardians MUST attend 10.45am Race begins 12.00pm Race finishes 12.15pm Prize giving in the sports hall LUNCH schools are welcome to sit outside in the sunshine and eat their lunch after prizegiving
Kit lists COMPETITORS : Swimming costume/trunks, Swimming goggles, Swimming hat mandatory to race, Shorts/t-shirt/trainers to put in transition, Plastic bag for transition clothes in case of rain, Towel to shower after event, Talcum powder for trainers easier to put them on with wet feet!, Full water bottle, Packed lunch, Pocket money to spend at stalls 10 for limited edition race t-shirt (reserve when you enter online!), Waterproof coat and warm tracksuit for after the race, Underwear if travelled in swimming costume/trunks, Safety pins for number, Suncream and cap if hot weather. TEACHERS : First aid kit, Maps to find venue, Packed lunch, Spare safety pins, Money for vending machines. On the day ON ARRIVAL 1) Register at Race Registration Area to collect your school team envelope. This will have your competitors race numbers inside. Collect chip ankle bands. Registration opens at 9am and closes at 10.10am. Please do not be late. It takes a long time to get all competitors set up for the race see below. 2) Take all your competitors to ʻNumber Marshallsʼ next to race registration to have their numbers written on their legs for the swim phase. 3) Pin numbers on race t-shirt/vest and put trainers/shorts/top into transition area. Areas for each competitors are numbered individually, there will be marshals to help you find your place. Teachers/Parents/Guardians are allowed in transition to help set up. 4) Attend a mandatory race briefing promtly at 10.15am in sports hall for all competitors, teachers, parents and guardians. 5) Be ready in pool changing area at allocated start time. Marshals will call each year group and direct competitors to the pool side. 6) Course maps will be available at registration. Please make sure each competitor understands the running route for his/her category. Running the incorrect course means disqualification, it is the competitors responsibility to get this right. VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION *No photography or video footage is allowed in the swimming pool or transition areas. *No parents/guardians or teachers are allowed in the transition area after 10.10am. Teachers/parents/guardians are allowed in transition before the race begins to help the competitors find their numbered area for their clothes. *Please make sure each competitor is wearing the correct attire or they will not be allowed to compete or will be disqualified. Hats must be worn in the pool. Please refer to the clothing information in the Rules to make sure they are appropriately dressed. No exceptions will be made. *Please keep children supervised at all times throughout the day, especially after the race finishes. *We encourage parents to positively promote good sportsmanship and support their children whilst they are racing. Any person exhibiting aggressive or untoward behaviour will be asked to leave the premises for the protection of all competitors. *Pocket money you might let your competitors bring pocket money on the day to buy Aquathlon items such as water bottles, swim caps, t-shirts etc. *At qualifying rounds, finishing medals will be given out immediately as the competitor crosses the finish line. Please do not lose them as we cannot replace lost medals.
Event Dates & Locations CHILDRENʼS COMPETITION VENUES/DATES 2014 Race 1 Tuesday 29th April 2014 held at Haileybury School, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NU Race 2 Thursday 1st May 2014 held at Priory School, Somerset Race 3 Monday 12th May 2014 held at St Edwards School, Oxfordshire, OX2 7NN Race 4 Thursday 15th May 2014 held at Caterham School, Surrey CR3 6YA These qualifiers are for the National Schools Aquathlon Championship. Please note the running course for the finals will be over a different course from the qualifier and will be over undulating terrain. National Schools Aquathlon Championship Saturday 7th June 2014 at Haileybury School, Herts. PARENT/TEACHER/FRIENDS COMPETITION VENUES/DATES 2014 Race 1 Sunday 22nd June 2014 held at Caterham School, Surrey CR3 6YA Race 2 Sunday 29th June 2014 held at Highfield School, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LQ HOW TO ENTER Entries are all online this year 15.80 per competitor which includes 1 contribution to St. Johns Ambulance. Please follow the link below. Please do not contact the host school venue with questions. All race information can be found by reading these website pages or downloading a race information pack at the bottom of the page. The closing date for all entries is 7 days before the day of the event. NO exceptions can be made due to online entry system closing. Due to the popularity of last years events there is a cap on number of competitors in each age group so please enter early to avoid disappointment. Finding the Event Please use the postcodes to find the competition venues and leave enough time to make sure you arrive on time, there is a lot to do before the race starts. Medical cover on the day There will be medical support in attendance for all events. Parking Parking is within the school grounds; please follow the marshalʼs directions on arrival. Changing & Toilet Facilities There are boys and girls changing facilities with hot showers next to the swimming pool within the sports complex. Please do not leave any valuables in them. Schools Aquathlon can accept absolutely no responsibility for lost or stolen belongings. Lost Property There will be a lost property area next to race registration. Any lost property left after the event will be recycled. Food & Drink Please bring packed lunches. No food or drink is to be taken into the sports centre. Please eat inside your minibus or outside and take all your litter home with you.
Rules, Health & Safety HEALTH & SAFETY A risk assessment for the events are available to download online. Schools Aquathlon accept absolutely no responsibility for the omission or inclusion of any data on this risk assessment. It may be used purely as a guide for visiting schools to alert them to potential health and safety hazards for their competitors. Please make sure all competitors and parents have read the event rules below. RULES 1) Competitors must abide by all information, rules, terms and conditions. 2) Parents/guardians must be informed of race rules, this is the responsibility of the teacher in the charge of the team. 3) No competitor is allowed to move any other competitorsʼ possessions. 4) No parents, guardians or teachers are allowed in transition after it closes at 10.10am. 5) Parents, guardians or teachers are not allowed as pacers, or allowed to run beside a competitor. In doing so this will disqualify the competitor. 6) As part of our child protection policy photography/video footage is strictly forbidden on poolside, changing and transition areas. Anyone breaking this rule will be asked to surrender their memory card and then leave the premises. This is a serious offence. An official photographer will be taking photos. Photography is permitted on the running course. 7) Judges decision will be final. There will be absolutely no alteration of results after they have been published. 8) Registration opens at 9am and closes at 10.10am. Please do not miss this or you will not be allowed to compete. You need at least an hour to set up your team before the race. 9) If a competitor misses their start time they will not be allowed to compete. 10) All competitors, parents, guardians and teachers must be present at the race briefing, please make sure you have walked the run phase before the briefing so each competitor knows where they are going. 11) All competitors must comply with the rules of the swimming pool. 12) Teachers, guardians and parents are not allowed on poolside, there are specific viewing areas to watch this phase of the event. 13) Competitors must wear trainers/t-shirt/shorts for the running phase. Trisuits are allowed with race belts in replacement of shorts/t-shirts. No nipples showing at any time. Girls are not permitted to wear tight shorts underneath their swim-suits. Boys may run in their swim trunks IF the length from crotch to length of leg is 5 inches or more. 14) No studs or spikes. 15) No tumble turns. Swimmers must swim on their front, no backstroke for health and safety reasons. No diving, start in the pool. 16) Swimmers must touch the end of the pool with at least one hand before turning underneath the rope. Marshals will be checking this. 17) If you wish to pass another swimmer touch their feet. They must stop and let you swim pass. 18) No physical contact any pushing and shoving will result in disqualification. 19) Make sure all competitors have read the ʻCompetitorʼ page, follow the link below. 20) BE CAREFUL between exiting the pool and entering transition, and exiting transition and starting the run. Competitors may need to negotiate slopes and steps barefooted. 21) The event will NOT be cancelled for weather reasons. Please make sure competitors bring a dry change of clothes. Remember sun cream. Hot showers are available for after the race. 22) HAVE FUN!
Here are some tips to help you on the day of the event! *Sprinkle some talcum powder in your running shoes before you leave them in the transition area, this will help you to put them on when your feet are wet. *Bring a plastic bag for your transition clothes it might be raining! *You must touch the end of the pool with at least one hand before going under the rope and turning down the next length. *Remember to do up your shoelaces in transition if you donʼt then a marshal will stop you to ask you to do this. *Be careful when you exit the pool there are mats to help prevent you from slipping, use more haste and less speed at this point in the race. *Do not wear muddy trainers into transition. *Make sure you have asked your teacher to clearly explain the running route if you go wrong you will be disqualified and this is your responsibility not your teachers. *No diving you must ʻslipʼ carefully into the pool on marshals orders. *Follow marshals directions at all times ask them if you are not sure, they are there to help you! *If your feet are touched in the pool, you MUST stop and let the faster swimmer overtake you. *Transition is timed races can be won or lost in this area, so practice changing quickly before the event so you know what to expect on the day. *Have FUN! This is a first time for most competitors so do your best! Aquathlon Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions Please make sure all staff, parents and guardians have read these before entering the competition 1)Closing date for entries is 7 days before each event 2014. No exceptions/late entries will be accepted due to online entry system, please make sure you enter as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as this year there is a maximum number of competitors on the day due to the popularity of last years events. 2) New for 2014 due to the large volume of entries last year, no refunds will be given under any circumstances due to the associated costs of running the event. Entry name changes, category or venue changes will not be permitted under any circumstances. 3) Running order will be emailed to PE teachers (not parents or guardians) two days before each event. 4) Results will be available online 12 hours after each event. 5) Medals and shields MUST be collected on the day, they will not be posted after each event. 6) The organisers reserve the right to alter the format of the event without prior notice, should the need arise. 7) Schools Aquathlon is a ʻnot for profitʼ initiative. No refund of entry fees will be given if for any reason the event may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The event organisers reserve the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. 8) The event will not be cancelled due to the weather, it is the competitors responsibility to make sure they are equipped for very wet, or very hot weather. 9) Competitors are responsible for the safe guarding of clothing and equipment at the event. 10) The organisers and host venue accept absolutely no responsibility for lost or stolen items. 11) Minimum age to compete is 7 years old, maximum age is 13 years old on the day of the event. Every competitor must have an adult assigned to them on the day who is responsible for their supervision at all times. This adult may be a teacher, parent or guardian and their name must be declared on the entry form. 12) Contribution towards medical cover per competitor is 1 which is included in the entry fee. 13) Please do not bring food or drink into the sports hall, snacks and lunch must be eaten outside near your minibus. 14) The organisers, volunteers and school hosting the event and their associates are not liable for any loss, damage, claim, injury (including fatal) or expense which may arise in consequence of any action or participation of them or any competitor, teacher, family member or spectator in the event. 15) Photographs taken by the official photographer at all Schools Aquathlon events may be used on this website and in other media e.g. magazines. If you wish your child not to appear on photographs please write to us no later than 14 days before the event clearly stating your childʼs name, school and which event they are attending.
National Finals 2014 SCHOOLS AQUATHLON NATIONAL FINALS Saturday 7th June 2014 HAILEYBURY SCHOOL, HERTS. Please note: Rules, terms and conditions are the same as the qualifying rounds. Transition and running course will be through woods and playing fields and will be fully marshalled. CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRY FORMS ONLINE is Monday 2nd June at midnight Please note that this deadline cannot be extended under ANY circumstances Finals Schedule: 10.00am Competitors allowed on site 10.15am Registration opens, transition open, run course open for observation 11.10am Transition closed 11.15am Race briefing (compulsory for all teachers, parents, guardians and competitors) 12am Race starts 1.30pm Race ends 2pm Prize giving in sports hall 2.30pm Finish PRIZES 1st 10th place medals in each category. Certificates for all competitors. Boys and Girls judged separately. PARENTS Please come and support your children and other competitors cheer as loud as you can! ENTRIES NOW OPEN ONLINE for 2014 www.extremeadventurekids.co.uk GOOD LUCK from the SCHOOLS AQUATHLON TEAM!